The Bengals can learn from the Titans success
The Tennessee Titans are into the divisional playoffs on the back of NFL rushing champ Derrick Henry. That type of success is unrealistic for the Bengals next year, but that style of play isn’t.
Whether quarterbacked by Marcus Mariota or Ryan Tannehill, the Titans have limited pass play making potential on offense. So, they run with their freakishly talented bell cow running back Derrick Henry… A lot.
Henry averaged 20.2 carries per game on his way to the regular season rushing title. He also got 35 touches for 204 yards in the wild card upset of the Patriots. The Titans know what they do well and what they don’t do well. It has worked like a charm.
Hopefully, the Bengals coaching staff was watching. Whether it is Andy Dalton, Joe Burrow or someone else at quarterback in 2020, 2018 AFC rushing leader Joe Mixon is the best thing the offense will have going for it.
The Bengals were much more competitive in the final eight games of 2019, including notching their only two wins. It isn’t a coincidence that Mixon got 20+ carries in five of these games. Relying heavily on a top flight talent at running back shortens the game and can disguise flaws on a team.
The Bengals cannot be fixed in one offseason and will have plenty of flaws in 2020. Mixon is the best way to mask them. Tennessee’s success is indirect evidence of that. For the “no one can do anything behind this offensive line” crowd, no one can say the Bengals line has been anything but bad the last two years. Mixon still ran for over 1100 yards in both seasons.
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It is often said that the NFL is copycat league. This has always been true to an extent. So, the Bengals should do their best to copy the Titans 2019 formula in 2020. It may not get them to the playoffs, but it would get them a lot more than two wins.