Bengals Offense Balancing Act: Burrow Returns, But Run Game Holds Strong
When the Bengals lined up at the 2-yard line and opted to throw on three of four plays, it was a moment that begged the question: *Whose offense is this, really? * Is it Zac Taylor’s design?
Dan Pitcher’s playbook? Or Joe Burrow’s instincts taking over?
That red zone sequence had the feel of a quarterback calling his own number-figuratively, if not literally. But despite some early signs that Burrow might tilt the offense back toward a pass-heavy identity, the full picture tells a different story.
This wasn’t just Burrow’s offense. It was a more balanced, evolved Bengals attack-one that didn’t abandon the run game that had started to find its rhythm during Burrow’s absence.
Backfield by Committee: Brown and Perine Share the Load
Chase Brown has been the workhorse in recent weeks, especially with Samaje Perine banged up. But this week, the Bengals made a conscious effort to spread the load. Brown and Perine split the running back snaps roughly 60/40, and while Brown still led the way with 15 carries for 78 yards, Perine wasn’t far behind with 14 carries for 39 yards.
Where Brown really separated himself was in the passing game. He caught all seven of his targets for 35 yards, giving him over 100 yards from scrimmage for the sixth straight game-a new franchise record.
That kind of dual-threat production is what’s made Brown such a key piece in this offense. He’s not just a runner; he’s a reliable outlet and a chain-mover through the air.
12 Personnel Making a Statement
The Bengals also leaned heavily into 12 personnel, rolling out two-tight end sets on about a third of their offensive snaps. That’s not just a schematic wrinkle-it’s a statement about how they want to play. It’s about physicality, versatility, and giving Burrow options in both the run and pass games.
Drew Sample continues to lead the tight end room with 49 snaps. Noah Fant added 35, Mike Gesicki chipped in with 23, and Tanner Hudson saw six snaps, two of which were targets-one resulting in a touchdown.
This tight end rotation isn’t just depth for depth’s sake. Each guy brings something different, and Taylor is using them to keep defenses guessing.
Defensive Line Rotation Shifting Gears
On the defensive side, things have been fairly steady since the bye week, but there were some notable adjustments up front against the Ravens-particularly at defensive tackle.
Kris Jenkins saw the most action with 43 snaps, matching his workload from the previous week. But B.J.
Hill’s usage dropped significantly-from 56 snaps down to 38. TJ Slaton also saw his role reduced, going from 38 to 20 snaps.
And McKinnley Jackson was on the field for just nine plays, down from 19.
The shift suggests defensive coordinator Al Golden was prioritizing athleticism and quickness inside, perhaps to counter Baltimore’s mobile quarterback and zone-read concepts. Jenkins, in particular, is showing he can handle a heavier load without sacrificing impact.
Edge Rushers Carrying the Weight
The edge rotation, on the other hand, is starting to show some wear. Myles Murphy has logged 164 snaps over the last three weeks.
Joseph Ossai isn’t far behind at 150. That’s a lot of work for two young pass rushers, and while they’ve held up admirably, the Bengals are clearly missing Trey Hendrickson’s presence.
Cedric Johnson has been the only real relief option, seeing 78 snaps over the same stretch. But they need a fourth guy to keep this group fresh.
Fatigue impacts more than just pass rush-it affects gap integrity, pursuit angles, and late-game execution. Getting Hendrickson back would go a long way toward stabilizing this unit.
Final Thoughts
This version of the Bengals offense is starting to look like a hybrid of old and new. Burrow’s back, and with him comes the precision passing game that’s defined Cincinnati’s identity in recent years. But the commitment to the run, the use of multiple tight ends, and the evolving snap distributions all point to an offense that’s growing-not regressing.
And on defense, while the rotation is still a work in progress, there’s a clear effort to match personnel to opponent. That’s the kind of adaptability that separates playoff teams from the rest.
The Bengals aren’t just trying to survive December. They’re trying to build something sustainable-and last week’s snap counts tell us they’re doing it with intention.