Cincinnati Bengals: 3 things to watch vs. Packers in Week 5
By Riley Thomas
2. Explosive plays would be a game-breaker
The best offenses in the league generate a lot of explosive plays, which leads to a ton of points. In terms of yardage, explosive plays are typically around 20-yard gains. When offenses can produce explosives, more often than not they score on these drives.
This is proven by some recent examples from your Cincinnati Bengals. The good guys quickly scored on their first second-half possession versus the Jags. On the second play of the drive, Burrow found the ever-so-dangerous deep threat, Ja’Marr Chase, on a 44-yard go route.
Cincy generated yet another explosive later in the drive with a 22-yard receiving touchdown from C.J. Uzomah. On another scoring drive versus Jacksonville, Burrow found the recently-activated receiver Trenton Irwin on a 25-yard completion. Uzomah’s 25-yard screen reception from Burrow’s check against a zero defense led to the Bengals’ game-winning field goal on Thursday night.
This is just within one game, the proof is in the pudding. Offenses who generate explosives put up a ton of points. Rodgers of Green Bay has always had a beautiful deep ball, leading to explosive plays for the Packers. Rodgers’ deep ball is even more threatening when passing to a receiver like Davante Adams.
Both teams with their receivers and quarterbacks have the potential in every drive to get some explosive plays. Now, every explosive is not a pass. Green Bay has a great running back in Aaron Jones that can turn runs into large gains. The Packers’ offensive line is mostly excelling in run-blocking as well, making explosive runs more likely. There’s some potential for explosives in Cincy’s usual run game, but without Joe Mixon, it becomes quite unlikely this week.
Both offenses have the ability to push the ball downfield with some good run after the catch receivers. This makes explosive plays even more important than usual. These defenses know they must limit game-breaking plays if they are to win.
Whoever generates more explosives should be able to come out with a win.