Bucky Brooks' Scouting Report: Week 9 at Bengals

Nov 02, 2024 at 02:23 PM

Bucky Brooks

NFL.com Analyst

Who's the Guy?

The Bengals' championship window is always open with Joe Burrow under center. The ultra-confident gunslinger can put the team on his back with his spectacular pocket-passing skills. As a quick-rhythm thrower who excels at "connecting the dots" on short and intermediate passes, the Bengals' QB1 lights up the sky with rainbow tosses that produce fireworks on the scoreboard.

Know His Name

Ja'Marr Chase is an unstoppable force on the perimeter as a "catch-and-run" specialist with strong hands and a rugged running style. The Pro Bowler also displays exceptional ball skills on 50-50 balls along the boundary, so the Raiders must be aware of his whereabouts at all times to neutralize the Bengals' playmaker.

Don't Sleep On…

Trey Hendrickson has developed into one of the league's most disruptive defensive players during his time in Cincinnati. The Pro Bowler has amassed 46.5 sacks since joining the team in 2021, exhibiting a relentless approach and superb technical skills, whipping blockers on the edge. With few offensive tackles capable of matching his energy and stamina, it is hard to keep Hendrickson getting into the paint on pass rush attempts.

Under Pressure

Zac Taylor is feeling the heat for the Bengals' slow start. Though his job is not in jeopardy, the Bengals must go on a remarkable run to reach the playoffs this season. After getting shellacked by the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8, he must find a way to quickly fix his team's flaws to help them climb back into a competitive playoff race in the AFC.

Matchup To Watch

Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson vs. Gardner Minshew

The Bengals will challenge Minshew with clever pre-snap disguises to bait the veteran quarterback into a costly mistake. As excellent "hit, run, and cover" linebackers with exceptional instincts and awareness, the Bengals' linebacking duo can wreck a gameplan with their ability to defend the field from sideline to sideline. Given Minshew's recent turnover woes, the veteran must know the Bengals' dynamic duo to keep the Raiders offense on schedule in a pivotal matchup.

Offensive Strategy

Zac Taylor is willing to live or die with the ball in No. 9 hands, executing his favorite passing concept. Burrow is at his best directing the Bengals offense like a pass-first point guard leading a fast break. Though the Bengals have struggled to protect their franchise quarterback due to injuries and faulty execution, the team trusts its franchise quarterback to make things happen when the game is on the line, and they most likely will do it with Burrow executing a play from a spread formation with five eligible receivers released into the route.

Defensive Strategy

Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is a masterful play-caller with a diverse approach. He will mix in all-out pressures with max coverage (eight defenders dropping out) to keep quarterbacks and play-callers guessing for 60 minutes. Although the Bengals' pass rush and coverage have been spotty this season, the grizzled defensive wizard will put together an exotic plan that will test the patience and discipline of the Raiders' QB1 while clogging any possible running lanes for the running backs.

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Las Vegas Raiders assistant tight ends coach Mitch Singler departs for the regular season away game against the Cincinnati Bengals.