Let's talk about the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Championship Edition)

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

As the week progresses, thoughts on how to approach the Bengals' very explosive offense:

1) Let the front 4 eat. This is the most important aspect. Let Jones, and Clark, and Ingram, and Reed and Wharton make plays. Devote the back 7 to coverage with the exception of an occasional blitz (hammer that crappy right side of the line when you do it).

2) Be creative in devoting help to Ward/Fenton on Jamar Chase. Have a safety over the top. Have the safety and corner flip responsibilities (with the corner taking a cover 3 style drop and the safety handling the shorter stuff).

3) Keep Nick Bolton and Willie Gay on the field as much as possible (Niemann is the type of LB Mixon routinely abuses).

I think the Chiefs' offense has locked into playoff mode and is operating efficiently. I love that Mahomes keeps his legs/scrambling ability mostly in his pocket during the regular season and saves that little extra bit for the playoffs. It does seem to routinely catch teams unaware. I'm not concerned about them making plays or putting up points. Just a matter of execution (as it has been all year).

Niemann and Sorensen are going to see some time - it's almost inevitable.

So if they're in, send a few middle blitzes with them. That Bengals interior line really struggles with communication on those and if you start getting Burrow worried about those as well, you can really speed him up.

That was the most incredible part about that Titans game - TN was getting pressure from EVERYWHERE. And sooner or later Burrow just couldn't figure out where it was coming from.

The Bengals offense didn't win them that football game, that's for sure. And if we can get even half the heat on Burrow that Tennessee did, it'll be a bloodbath.