CINCINNATI — 1. My biggest complaint from the game Sunday was the lack of an offensive gameplan. But after watching the game a second time, I think there was one. It looked like the Bengals came out with a very simple gameplan with short passes on hitch routes to outside receivers, shallow crossing routes, flat route passes, etc. It was conservative, and that’s the problem. This offense has the weapons for aggressive gameplans, and they need to start taking advantage of that.
2. That said, how healthy is Joe Burrow? He’s not going to come out and say he’s not healthy. His competitiveness is too edgy for him to say if he’s not. But the coaching staff needs to be aware if he is or isn’t and adjust their gameplans accordingly.
3. With the gameplan the Bengals did have, I thought they actually did move the ball decently. I mean they only punted twice the whole game. For as bad as the offense may have looked watching the game live, rewatching the game I saw decent ball movement. Sacks and turnovers are what killed Bengals drives on Sunday, not three-and-outs.
4. The Bengals came out in an empty backfield formation 15 times on Sunday. FIFTEEN. For a team whose offensive line has struggled through the first two games, they don’t have the luxury of leaving Joe Burrow in the backfield with minimal protection.
5. Joe Mixon has to get better in picking up blitzes. On Burrow’s third interception, Mixon did not pick up Bears linebacker Alec Ogeltree coming on a blitz. Ogeltree hit Burrow as he threw the ball, which caused it to flutter in the air for Bears defensive tackle Angelo Blackson to intercept it.
6. The Bengals first drive of the second half was promising, ending with an Evan McPherson field goal. But it could have resulted in more. Mixon had a 10-yard run where he bounced outside with a lot of space to run, but had wide receiver Mike Thomas actually made a block instead of falling to the turf he could have maybe taken it all the way for a touchdown.
7. FOX color analyst Mark Sanchez, calling the game with play-by-play man Kevin Kugler, credited Zac Taylor and offensive coordinator Brian Callahan for not abandoning the run game. I agree, and that is a promising sign to see. But again, is that because Zac Taylor doesn’t think Joe Burrow isn’t fully healthy?
8. Tyler Boyd had a team-high seven receptions for 73 yards on Sunday. It was great to see his connection with Burrow resurface. I still think Boyd is the Bengals most consistently reliable wide receiver.
9. Effort play of the game: On the play where Tee Higgins fumbled, he didn’t give up on the play. He hustled and made a potential touchdown-saving tackle on Bears defensive back DeAndre Houston-Carson, who recovered the fumble. I’m a huge fan of players who play with that kind of effort.
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 