Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches

With a critical AFC matchup vs. the Buffalo Bills looming, the Cincinnati Bengals’ coaching staff has spent weeks in intensive strategy sessions—led by Zac Taylor, Todd Monken, and Lou Anarumo—to craft a winning plan. These aren’t casual film reviews but data-driven workshops, dissecting the Bills’ offense (led by Josh Allen) and defense to exploit weaknesses. For a Bengals team fighting for a playoff spot, these sessions could decide between a statement win and a costly loss. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches breaks down their approach, key focus areas, and how they’re turning plans into on-field play.

The first priority of the Bengals’ strategy sessions was slowing Josh Allen—recognizing he’s the Bills’ offensive engine. Coaches spent two days analyzing his film: his 450 rushing yards (scrambling when pressured), red-zone targets to Dawson Knox, and 10 interceptions (overaggressiveness). They noted Allen is 20% less accurate vs. edge blitzes and struggles with zone on third-and-long. To counter, they mapped a “pressure-and-contain” plan: Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard use speed rushes to push Allen out of the pocket, while Logan Wilson and Germaine Pratt drop into coverage to cut scrambling lanes. They also added a “scramble drill” for the secondary to adjust when Allen breaks free. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches notes this focus wasn’t just about stopping Allen—it was about forcing the Bills into a one-dimensional offense.

On offense, the Bengals coaches’ sessions focused on exploiting the Bills’ defensive weaknesses: poor run defense (22nd in rushing yards allowed, 118.5 per game) and vulnerability to play-action (15% more yards given up). Monken’s staff planned to lean on Joe Mixon and Chase Brown, using zone runs to target the Bills’ gap-discipline issues. They also designed play-action plays: Mixon’s handoff draws linebackers in, letting Joe Burrow roll out and hit Ja’Marr Chase or Tee Higgins deep. If the Bills shift to stop the run, Burrow will audible to quick passes to Tyler Boyd (70tch rate vs. Buffalo’s nickel defense). The plan balances aggression and caution—avoiding turnovers (Burrow has 3 interceptions in 5 games) while taking scoring shots. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches emphasizes this offensive focus is key to keeping the Bills’ defense off-balance.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, special teams became a surprise focus—knowing the Bills’ return game and kicker could swing momentum. Darrin Simmons led a 3-hour workshop on Buffalo’s special teams: Nyheim Hines (12 yards per punt return, top 5) and Tyler Bass (90% field goal rate, 8 from 50+ yards). To counter Hines, they designed a “coverage bubble”: 4 gunners form a wall to limit his space, plus pooch punts to pin Buffalo inside its 20. For Bass, they noted he’s 10% less accurate in wind—planning timeouts to force him to kick into wind. “Special teams win close games, and this will be close,” Simmons said. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these plans aren’t backups—they’re integral to field position battles, critical against a Bills team that thrives on big plays. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches explores how this focus avoids overlooking a key phase of the game.

The Cincinnati Bengals coaches also prepared for in-game adjustments—critical against a Bills team that changes plans mid-game more than any AFC team (per NFL Next Gen Stats). Taylor led a “what-if” workshop: How to adjust if the Bills switch to a 3-4 defense? What if Allen scrambles more? They assigned leaders: Monken (offense), Anarumo (defense), Taylor (final call). They also made a “quick-reference sheet” for Burrow and Wilson—e.g., target seams if Buffalo uses cover-2, drop deeper if Allen scrambles. To practice, they ran simulated drills with the scout team switching formations mid-play. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this flexibility ensures they won’t be caught off guard if their initial plan fails. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches notes this adaptability is a response to the Bills’ own tactical shifts.

Finally, the Bengals coaches wrapped sessions with a “walkthrough” day to align players with the plan. Taylor, Monken, and Anarumo met with position groups: quarterbacks reviewed reads, defensive linemen practiced rushes, special teams worked on coverage. Full-team scrimmages used the Bills’ playbook, with scouts mimicking Allen’s scrambling. Afterward, they debriefed—Burrow suggested tweaking a route to avoid Tre’Davious White, and the staff adjusted it. “Players buy in more when they shape the plan,” Taylor said. The result is a coach-designed, player-approved plan that balances strategy and on-field intuition. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these sessions build confidence—players know no detail was missed. Bills Game Strategy Sessions for the Cincinnati Bengals Coaches concludes that this preparation could turn the Bills matchup into a playoff-boosting statement win, separating the Bengals from other contenders.