The impressiveness of the 2022 Cincinnati Bengals lies in their achievement of balance, both offensively and defensively. 

Following a lackluster 2-3 start, the Bengals were the only offense to finish the final 12 weeks as a top five unit in EPA/drop back, EPA/rush, drop back success rate, and rush success rate. Their comparable symmetry on defense during the second half of the season made them one of the most dangerous teams entering the playoffs

One of the best all-around Bengals teams in franchise history played just last year. So where can they improve? A few areas come to mind.

Play action passing game

If you've seen any clips from OTAs and minicamp, you know this is a point of emphasis. Offensive coordinator Brian Callahan said exactly that while recently appearing on the Locked On Bengals podcast.  

"That's a point of emphasis for us this year," Callahan said. "With the way the season unfolded, how we pivoted about halfway through our transition into the shotgun game, we found more creative ways to run the ball out of the shotgun. We found more creative ways to attempt some play action. And one of things I think we could have done a better job of and that we will do this year is marrying up that system of offense with the play action game.

Among all starting quarterbacks last year, Joe Burrow ranked in the bottom 10 in passer rating (92.9), adjusted completion percentage (67.6%), and Pro Football Focus grade (70.1) on play action passes. These are supposed to be easy plays for the offense, and yet, it was a hindrance for Cincinnati last season. Better offensive line play, and showing willingness to run from under center can lead to a needed improvement.

Exterior pass protection

On the subject of better o-line play, fending off exterior pressure will go a long way to accomplish that. Jonah Williams was the Bengals' best pass blocking tackle last season, and he was graded out at a career-low 62.8 in that regard. The bigger problem came from the right side as La'el Collins never established any consistency in dealing with a chronic back issue. He graded out at 44.2, which was also a career-low for him.

Now with Orlando Brown Jr. taking over at left tackle, the right tackle spot is entirely up for grabs. Williams and Collins are both still rehabbing knee injuries leading up to the most important season of their careers. Is Jackson Carman the dark horse contender considering his age and health?

Whoever the winner is, he needs to produce better results than what Collins provided in 2022.

Interior pass rush

Getting pass rushing production from your nose tackle is wonderful. That same nose tackle being your best interior pass rusher is a problem. 

B.J. Hill is a fine 3-technique, but he was overworked in 2022. He logged 615 pass rush snaps from Week 1 all the way to the AFC Championship game. That number was only 481 the year prior, and that included one extra game. As a result, his pass rush win rate dropped to 7.1% from 10.4%. 

Playing fewer snaps in a more viable rotation will get Hill back on track. Zach Carter is the one who needs to step up the most as he enters his second season. The former third-round pick generated just five pressures on 215 pass rush snaps. There couldn't be more room to improve.

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Continuity has only strengthened the Bengals’ offense.

Featured image via © Sam Greene via Imagn Content Services, LLC