Running on Empty: The Cincinnati Bengals' Troubles in the Backfield
In an episode of the Bleav in Bengals podcast, hosted by Solomon Wilcots, the conversation turned towards the Cincinnati Bengals' run game, a topic that has garnered attention due to recent trends and performance. Brad Spielberger from Pro Football Focus (PFF) joined the discussion to shed light on the nuances of the Bengals' rushing attack during the 2023 season.
Solomon Wilcots initiated the conversation by posing a pertinent question: Why have the Bengals seemingly veered away from their run game, with just 15 rushing attempts in their most recent outing? He highlighted a concerning pattern where, in times of offensive struggle, the Bengals tend to abandon their running plays altogether.
Brad Spielberger delved into the data, providing valuable insights into the Bengals' run game performance throughout the 2023 season. He acknowledged that considering the game script and circumstances, the Bengals may not be expected to run the ball extensively. However, Spielberger pointed out a more pressing issue – the complete abandonment of the run game, even when down by just a score or two.
One crucial aspect that Brad emphasized was the lack of explosiveness in the Bengals' rushing attack. He noted that even in situations where the Bengals needed to drive the football, having an explosive run game could prove beneficial. Unfortunately, the statistics painted a less favorable picture for Cincinnati.
The Bengals ranked third-lowest in terms of forced missed tackles, indicating a deficiency in making defenders miss. Additionally, their explosive rush rate, defined by rushes of 10 or more yards, placed them in the bottom ten in the league. This highlighted the absence of significant gains in the running game, underscoring the Bengals' struggles in generating explosive rushing plays.
Cincinnati is a 7-point underdog against the Chiefs this Sunday according to BetOnline.
