Week 1 for the Cincinnati Bengals offense was, yet again, not the team’s best effort. In the Zac Taylor era, the Bengals are 1-5 in Week 1 with that one win coming in overtime in 2021 against the Minnesota Vikings. Now, Taylor and the Bengals must do something they never have together: win in Week 2. Yes, to this point, Taylor is 0-5 in Week 2 with losses to the San Francisco 49ers (2019), Cleveland Browns (2020), Chicago Bears (2021), Dallas Cowboys (2022), and Baltimore Ravens (2023).
Week 2 features a trip to Arrowhead for the Bengals to face off against the back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. There are a number of things that need help on the Bengals offense after last week. However, there’s one that looms the largest.
Unleash the Fourth-Round Rookie for the Bengals Offense
More Erick All, Jr.
The Bengals run game was successful on 6/7 plays (85.7%) when lining up in 12 personnel with Erick All and Drew Sample including their only touchdown. This is their best personnel grouping and they should embrace it. pic.twitter.com/bPksQ8nygF
— mike (@bengals_sans) September 9, 2024
Last week, the Bengals offense featured four tight ends. Drew Sample led the way with 27 snaps, followed by Mike Gesicki‘s 18. Tanner Hudson logged just nine snaps. Third-round rookie Erick All, Jr. was in there for 12 offensive snaps, though he did not earn a target.
The selection of All in this year’s draft was looked at as a tad confusing. He was an older prospect and was coming off a brutal injury. It took him until the end of July before he was even cleared to practice with the Bengals offense. Even then, Taylor was easing him in.
Hudson popped up on this week’s injury report and is considered Doubtful for the Chiefs game. Gesicki is used as a big receiver. Thus, this opens up a great opportunity for All.
While he’s a solid receiving threat, he’s a willing and able blocker. On snaps with both Sample (the usual blocking tight end) and All in the formation, the Bengals had a rush success rate of 89%. While he hasn’t recorded a target in the NFL just yet, All’s injury-plagued collegiate career amassed 864 yards and five touchdowns over five years and two schools.
They say “no block, no rock.” For All, he loves to block and he does it well. The Bengals would do well to get him in the game and reward him with a few targets. If the Chiefs want to take away the deep threat in Ja’Marr Chase, All (and Gesicki) have an opportunity to get a few chunk plays.
Trust and Protect Joe Burrow
Something that will go hand-in-hand with All is both the playcalling and protection for Joe Burrow.
Last week, the offensive line actually held up. Across Burrow’s career, it was the third-best performance by his offensive line. Despite that, he never looked comfortable and it was obvious that his internal clock was sped up. He missed a number of deep opportunities and checked down quickly despite a clean pocket.
Throwing All in there will give Burrow another reliable outlet while also adding to the blocking chops. At the same time, Zac Taylor needs to give Burrow more opportunities to uncork it. The Bengals offense is not going to beat the Chiefs defense with 5.6 yards per attempt from Burrow.
Of All’s 12 offensive snaps in Week 1, he only ran three routes. In addition to adding to the run blocking and then being a solid receiving threat, giving him more opportunities would be a trend breaker. Just like how nobody expects Drew Sample to run a route and be targeted, All is not a player the Chiefs are focused on stopping. In Week 1, Kansas City held the top receiving threat of the Baltimore Ravens to two catches for 12 yards (Mark Andrews). However, Isaiah Likely exploded for nine catches for 111 yards and a touchdown.
Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive mastermind. He’s going to do everything in his power to limit Chase’s impact. Considering he’s gashed them for 33 catches, 533 yards, and four touchdowns in five games (including playoffs), it makes sense. Cincinnati will need another player to step up. In the playoffs, it was Tee Higgins (12 catches, 186 yards, one touchdown) in two games. Higgins, like Hudson, is Doubtful for Sunday.
Erick All, Jr. could be that surprise breakout for the Bengals offense.
Main Image: Cara Owsley / USA TODAY NETWORK
