This is a slow game let’s get honest but our rookie QB is playing admirably. Here are a few things that are obvious and then not so obvious in this game. Hot takes coming:
Bobby Hart sucks – Yes he has a false start, allowing QB pressures and cannot anchor that right side. Bad game? Maybe. Did we see this coming? Yes. This needs to get fixed NOW to win this game.
Su’a-Filo struggles – Again another offensive lineman is not doing well. Two sacks are his fault and he has looked better in the second quarter luckily. While he has improved Bobby got worse. Maybe that is a scheme thing on the OL then but the right side doesn’t look good.
Joe Burrow looks solid – For a rookie he looks good. Some of his throw aways and pressure situations need to improve but he is sensing it. That scramble for a TD was a thing of beauty and if you didn’t yell out loud you are not alive. He doesn’t have time in the pocket and that is indicative of his lack of long passes.
Play call is drab – Looks like the old Bengals, nothing inventive and not adjustments so far. It looks like a limited high school offense and not the high-powered juggernaut that we know this offense can be. Mixon looks good running but we can’t run every play to be successful.
Jessie Bates III got boned – That was shoulder to shoulder and BS. It cost us 3 points and it is a shame that it cannot be reviewed.
Run D – Looks really good and Ekeler is not getting much. Tyrod has been contained and the first downs are coming from long throw lobs. The run defense is holding up their end of the deal to include Bynes and Hubbard. That 4th down stop was amazing.
Pass D Zone still struggles – This has always bothered me and it looks no better. We cannot cover roll-outs or the 5-7 yard passes. Pratt has been beat and this is signature Bengals. This needs to clean up.
Pass Blitz is where? – Sacks? This is a high powered defensive line even without Atkins. We don’t seem to generate enough pressure but the D is holding steady. Dunlap is getting pressure but not enough to make completely errant throws. Taylor has been inaccurate so maybe I am missing some things but we need to dial it up. The defense looks like the same uninventive blitz scheme used in years past.
Yes most of this is critical but we are 7-6 going into halftime and it is going to be a whole new second half. Adjustments will win this game. I foresee some play-action passing out of Burrow and some overloaded side blitzes in the future. The OL needs to hold up to squeak this one out. PS: I love Burrow. Who Dey!