3 questions the Bengals must answer in week 16 vs the Ravens

Question No. 2: Do we run or pass?

The Cincinnati offense has been a bit uneven in recent weeks. After great success in November, the run game, Joe Mixon in particular, is starting to show signs of wearing down in December.

So what do we attribute that to? Have defenses adjusted? Has Mixon in fact slowed down a bit after his torrid start? Perhaps there is a simpler explanation.

After digging two very large holes against two very good teams, at home in consecutive weeks, the Bengals found themselves having to play catch-up in the second half of both games. Not exactly the best environment to try to establish the run.

To Zac Taylor’s credit, he stuck with the ground game as much as he could until it became necessary to let Joey Franchise take over and attempt to win both games. Not surprisingly, when Burrow was allowed to deal, the offense sprung to life.

This is no knock on Mixon,as he is a top 10 back. However, what this demonstrates is perhaps the Bengals need to unleash the beast (Burrow) earlier than the mid-third quarter.

The Ravens are a walking MASH unit (classic television kids, look it up), and their secondary is especially vulnerable without Marlon Humphrey. The Bengals boast a three-headed wide receiver monster that features 61, 60, and 59 catches respectively among them. This triumvirate should be put to task early and often Sunday.

Joe Burrow needs to be unleashed, in full hurry up mode from the opening snap. It would be refreshing to start fast, smack a team in the mouth and make them panic. What better time to do this than with the division potentially on the line?

Unleash Burrow, get an early lead, and pound Mixon in the second half to salt away the game. Mixon gains confidence, the line gets their groove on and the Bengals play true AFC North football.