In the first few weeks we saw a bland, boring offense with a condensed playbook to protect Burrow’s calf. Callahan specifically said they couldn’t do much given the injury risk.
This sub poured it on Callahan and ZT for the lack of creativity. There were so many people calling for a change of playcalling duties and even one or both being terminated.
Fast forward to yesterday’s game plan and holy smokes. Motions, personnel packages galore, under center, misdirection in the run game, QB draws on 3rd and long, RPOs, even saw Chase used to help Jonah a couple snaps by chipping the DE and releasing to be wide open, and even the often overlooked adjustments in the snap cadence (finally premier DEs couldnt jump the snap). We even saw a muddle huddle during substitutions a couple times which confused the hell out of the 9ers.
Let’s give some credit where it’s due. Burrow is absolutely incredible but the total balance and scheme allowed some of the weakest parts of the offense (sans Irv fumble) to shine because the Niners had no clue what was coming 👏🏻.
The Bengals kept so much of the playbook off of game film for today and we should be so excited to see more and more creativity coming.
When they get in there bag and open up the playbook they are scary good together. My problem is when they become close minded and refuse to run the ball when it actually is working or when they become too check down heavy. I understand that mindset with the Burrow injury though. I’m pro Taylor/Callahan though and they are light years ahead of what we have had in Cincinnati for years besides maybe the 2015 year with Hue Jackson where he all of a sudden became Andy Reid for a season 😂.