Problem with Bengals: Chronic Bad Game Plan

by rapher on Nov 23, 2009 2:58 PM EST

If there is one consistent problem with the Bengals this season, it is generally bad offensive game planning. In fact, one might argue the only reason why the Bengals are in the hunt is because of their defense. Yesterday's game is a case in point.

With Benson out and RBs who are not used to carrying the ball a lot, why run the ball over 40 times and pass about 20 times? Why risk injuring Scott or Leonard on excessive carrying? Why run the ball, when the yards per carry were so low (take our Scott's long run and you have a very poor day). Why run the ball so much, when you are blitzed the whole day, and your passing game is pretty darn good and productive? Had Scott touched the ball fewer times and more passes thrown (even short ones), you'd make the Oakland defense more honest, and create opportunties. What we saw yesterday was a rehash of so many games this year that all ended up being too close. I don't fault the players. They follow the game plan. I fault the coaching, in partcular Bratkowski, who does not know how to adjust to a changing game strategy. He is simply too one dimensional. It happened 2 years ago, last year, and it's rearing its head again this year.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.

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Because they wanted to control the clock and the Raiders had the worst run defense in the NFL

Two easy answers to your brain busters. The Raiders were getting pressure on Palmer and after the fumble on third and long and the play where he was hit as he threw and it was nearly picked they went into panic mode and decided not to throw so much with the lead. After the first drive we apparently weren’t getting anyone open down field either because he had to throw it away or dump off several times.

I agree they went over board, but you take away the missed field goal and the JJ fumble and we won the game 23-20, so it wasn’t so much the play calling as it was the mental/physical mistakes.

by St. Esiason on Nov 23, 2009 3:34 PM EST reply actions

the sample size is a little bigger than yesterday's game..

the offensive game plan is run run pass punt. The first two sometimes get switched.. Brat’s calls are boring, unimaginative plays that get the other teams defense involved and give them confidence to play great against us. He doesn’t keep it balanced, he doesn’t keep the defense on their heels, he lets them get settled and then it doesn’t take much to figure out the 4 plays Brat has prepared for the game. Brat is choking the life out of our offense.. he better not ruin this season for us.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 23, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

the raiders were throwing a lot of run-blitz packages at us

I didn’t have a problem with running it as often if we were getting good yardage. Except for a hand full of runs we got less than 2 per attempt. Realy-Brat I know you can hear me- don’t use Bernard Scott between the tackles that often. He gets his yards outside. DUH.

by featherman on Nov 23, 2009 5:27 PM EST up reply actions

He told me to tell you DUH, he heard you and

he’ll do better next time OK LOL

by WHYUS!! on Nov 23, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions

rapher Replies

I like that….

The Bengals, a team that’s been avergaing 21 points total offense so far, will not, I REPEAT, will not many games. Simple math.

by rapher on Nov 23, 2009 8:37 PM EST reply actions

I hate when we many games.. thats the worst!

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 24, 2009 12:17 AM EST up reply actions

apparently, he the whole thing

all of it

I guess a winning record brings out freaks.

by supergrover on Nov 24, 2009 7:15 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

are we still using english on this site? haha what is going on?

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 24, 2009 10:30 AM EST up reply actions

Gotta rec any 4chan reference thats both funny and not horribly offensive

by Doncosmic on Nov 25, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

14-0

When they went up 14-0, I said to my son, here is the key drive. If they stop them early it could lead to a blow out. Instead the Raiders drove down the field and scored and turned it into a game. The Bengals didn’t play with the hunger of recent games and they were playing not to lose. The Bears game was a rarity. This team has to learn to deliever the knock out punch. They aren’t there yet.

by redberkey on Nov 24, 2009 3:37 PM EST reply actions

OK, so I made a mistake....I apologize to all Bengal fans and my English teacher!

The Bengals, a team that’s been averaging 21 points total offense so far, will not, I REPEAT, will not WIN many games. Simple math.

In fact if you take Chicago out, the offensive output is miserable.

I understand the botched field goal attempt from Golden. Nonetheless, playing a team like that should have been a blowout. You lose to Oakland, you can lose to anyone.

Let’s hope the ship rights itself.

by rapher on Nov 24, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply actions

I think a good solution..

might be to let Carson control things more. I think I have heard a few other people call for that as well, either on here or on Mo’s show.. Sort of like how Indy lets Peyton run the show. The OC gives Peyton an idea, such as " the defense has been showing a lot of this.. maybe run a draw or a PA post" .. blah blah.. you get the idea. The OC simply suggests what play might be a good idea and Peyton either calls that play or has an idea himself. Any other ideas?

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 25, 2009 10:09 AM EST reply actions

Agreed

Those games early in the year that we were (Denver, Cleveland, Baltimore, Pitt), the offense did not look all that great until Carson started running the two minute drill. Thats when the offense was most effective. Do what works, Brat needs to let go fo the reins some.

It's still a good season if we go 2-14 and beat the Steelers twice.

by Bengals FTW on Nov 25, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

Some Idiot

bengals are 7-3. lets jump dance and stroke each other and go buy tickets and shut the hell up. hey at least we’re not 3-7. nevermind that our offense generally sucks despite having talent at every position. nevermind that a potential manning/brady/brees sort of QB is relegated to game manager status. nevermind that the defense has WON the game week in and week out all year.
i am interested in a superbowl win and nothing less can be a goal. you don’t play to ‘reach the playoffs’. and in order to do that, you have to have solid defensive play and solid offensive play, something that does not seem to be a reality at this point.

by Baba Ghannoush on Nov 25, 2009 11:34 AM EST reply actions

Amen!!

by WHYUS!! on Nov 25, 2009 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

you play to win the game

playoffs?! playoffs?! we’ll see how mad this team is on sunday.

something no one else has mentioned.. their new slogan in the locker room: N.D.C.Q. which Marvin had put on shirts and whatever. I think it means “not dead can’t quit” or something like that, I may have the C wrong.. should now be changed to.. N.D.C.Q.U.W.U.T.T. which stands for “not dead can’t quit until we’re up two touchdowns”. Get your asses on the field, get angry and don’t stop until the game is over.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 25, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

If you would sub in “ten” instead of “two”, I would even support that as a slogan.

by FriarBob on Nov 27, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

I would too.

That was the point, they should never quit until the game is over. I saw our team getting confident ahead by 14 points and our whole team (coaches and players included) began letting off the gas and we shortly thereafter stalled. This is football.. make em bleed.

by 80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME on Nov 28, 2009 12:12 AM EST up reply actions