ESPN points out Bengals QB Joe Burrow's biggest weakness
On Friday, ESPN published an article that points out each NFL starting quarterback's biggest weakness. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't have many weaknesses, but there is one specific area where he needs to improve. Aaron Schatz pointed out that Burrow struggles against zone coverage. From ESPN: Burrow is much stronger against man coverage compared […]
On Friday, ESPN published an article that points out each NFL starting quarterback's biggest weakness.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't have many weaknesses, but there is one specific area where he needs to improve.
Aaron Schatz pointed out that Burrow struggles against zone coverage.
Burrow is much stronger against man coverage compared with zone coverage this season. He ranks 18th with a 48.9 QBR against zone, compared with ranking ninth with a 70.8 QBR against man. The splits in 2021 were similar but smaller: 58.7 (13th) against zone and 73.6 (11th) against man.
Zone coverage was one of the reasons the Bengals struggled early in the season. Teams were playing these soft shell coverages against Burrow — essentially to limit big plays — and it created plenty of issues for the former LSU star.
Burrow, however, has adapted well. And as a result, Cincinnati's offense has played at a higher level over the last month.
This is something that Burrow will continue to get better at as he gains NFL experience. Zone coverage can trick even the savviest of quarterbacks at times. But eventually, it will be routine for Burrow to find the soft spot in the zone and exploit it. And then teams will have to decide if they want to risk giving up a big play over the top or if they want to watch Burrow engineer a 12-play drive that results in six points. Either way, Burrow is poised to give defenses headaches for years to come.
Featured image via Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
