Inside the Film Room: Cincinnati Bengals

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) congratulates tight end Tyler Eifert (85) after catching a pass for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The game is approximately 24 hours away. So, it’s time once again to go inside the film room, and take a look at our opponents. As we have done the last few weeks, we will break down a drive from our opponent’s previous game, and see what the Jets need to do to handle them.

This week, we are going to look at the drive that opened the second half for the Bengals last week against the Detroit Lions. It is a good drive to watch as it is a mix of running, a little A.J. Green, and a Tyler Eifert first career touchdown to cap it off.

It starts out with a kickoff into the endzone, starting the Bengals first and ten from their own 20.

First and ten from the Bengals’ 20: Dalton comes out in a one back set, two receivers left, and one to the right. Dalton takes the snap and gives it to Green-Ellis. He tries the left side, only to be met by the linebacker, #54, who entered the backfield untouched and took Ellis down for no gain.

Second and ten from the Bengals’ 20:Dalton is in the shotgun this time, with a back to his right. Two receivers are to the left, and AJ Green is alone wide to the right. Dalton takes the snap, the cornerback plays off Green, fearful of the deep pass. Green stops hard about seven yards down the field, receives the pass and takes it out-of-bounds, but not before picking up 11 yards and a first down.

First and ten from the Bengals’ 31: The Bengals come out in a 2-2-1 formation, (two tight ends, two receivers, and one running back). Dalton hands to Green-Ellis who tries the right side. This time, he is met by Stephen Tulloch for a loss of two yards.

Second and twelve from the Bengals’ 29: Again the Bengals come out in a 2-2-1, two tight ends stacked to the left, and two receivers to the right. Dalton runs a play fake to Green-Ellis, and attempts to hit Jermaine Gresham on the left side, but the pass falls incomplete.

Oct 13, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

Third and twelve from the Bengals’ 29: This time, Dalton is in the shotgun with one back to the right. Three receivers are stacked to the left, and one, Marvin Jones, is wide to the right. Marvin Jones runs a deep crossing route, and he is given a lot of room by the cornerback. Dalton throws him a strike for an 18 yard pickup and a Bengals first down.

First and ten from the Bengals’ 47: Dalton lines up with two receivers left, one to the right, one back behind him. Jermaine Gresham is on the line to the right. Gresham starts by blocking, but then releases into the flat. He takes Dalton’s pass, but is stopped for a one yard loss.

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Second and eleven from the Bengals’ 46: The Bengals line up in a shotgun formation, one receiver wide right, one back with Andy Dalton, and three receivers to the left, including Marvin Jones to the outside. On the snap, Jones runs a similar pattern Green ran earlier in the drive for 11 yards, running a quick route up the field and stopping hard. Dalton hits Jones again, and he takes it into Detroit territory for a 16 yard gain.

First and ten from the Lions’ 38: The Bengals try to push the tempo a bit, going no huddle. Dalton is under center, with the “Law Firm” lined up behind him. Two receivers are to the left, and one to the right. Dalton takes the snap and gives to Green-Ellis, he takes the handoff up the middle for six yards.

Second and four from the Lions’ 32: For this play, the Bengals come out in a rare two back set, lined up in the I formation behind Dalton. One receiver is wide to the right. Tyler Eifert is in the TE position on the left, Gresham on the right. Dalton takes the snap, and Eifert runs a route almost like a “wheel route”. He starts off taking it to the inside, and curves to the outside, heading straight for the pylon. Dalton lofts a beautiful throw right to the pylon, Eifert uses his body to “box out” the defender, and comes down with his first career touchdown.

So what have we learned?

For one, we have a running game that can be stopped. Green is not dominant, and this line can be beaten, especially by our front seven.

The scary part of this Bengals’ offense is the passing game. They have a lot of weapons, and they are all good. They will throw out of any formation, so you cannot be too careful.

The biggest thing I saw is that nobody laid a finger on any of these wide receivers or the tight end. They were all allowed to roam free and do as they please. Of course they were going to be open and make catches.

You cannot give these guys a free release, ever. Not Green, not Jones, not Eifert. Nobody. Just as they did to Gronkowski last week, make these receivers feel your presence every time they get off the line. It will be on Cro, Milliner, Walls, Allen, etc., to hit these guys early and often.

They have to knock these guys off their routes to have a chance. It should be fun to watch.