Bengals can’t let latest problem set them up for failure vs. Browns
The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing without one of their top weapons in Ja'Marr Chase when they take on the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football. The timing of the blow couldn't be any worse considering the Bengals' offense has finally found the rhythm and identity it was desperately looking for early in the season. […]
The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing without one of their top weapons in Ja'Marr Chase when they take on the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football.
The timing of the blow couldn't be any worse considering the Bengals' offense has finally found the rhythm and identity it was desperately looking for early in the season.
That has come via a lopsided dropback-handoff ratio as Cincinnati has decided to become a really pass-happy offense with Joe Burrow at the wheel. To do so, they've lived in the shotgun world almost exclusively over the past two weeks.
But that has to do with how much they trust Chase as a #1 wide receiver and not having him will put the coaching staff in a tough spot. Do they keep the aggressiveness turned all the way up? Or do they tone it down and risk losing the groove?
I'd bet the former is the way to go. There will have to be adjustments, obviously. But the Bengals should stick to their aggressiveness on this one. Especially against the Browns.
If Cincinnati starts featuring early-down runs as they frustratingly did last season and early in this one, they're unlikely to take an early lead. And when facing Cleveland, an early lead is exactly what you should be looking for.
After all, Jacoby Brissett hasn't proven he's a quarterback that will single-handedly win games for his teams.
The Browns will live and die by the run as long as you let them. In fact, they entered Week 8 as the 24th team in early down pass rate in neutral situations per RBSDM.com.
With the second most efficient running game in the league and rushing league leader (entering Week 8) Nick Chubb, that could spell trouble for a Bengals' defense that has struggled against the run lately.
While it hasn't been as bad as many make it out to be, key injuries have caused noticeable issues for Lou Anarumo's defense. Even though green-dot linebacker Logan Wilson is expected to return on Monday, the Bengals would be wise to force the Browns out of what they do best.
As cliché as it may sound, the best defense in this case is the best offense. Even without Chase, the best way to keep the Browns from running right through their defense will be to come out in attack mode and get ahead quickly.
Considering the Browns have the 28th pass defense per DVOA, it should be an easy task for Burrow's Bengals.
Featured image via Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
