Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense

In the modern NFL, video analysis has become as critical to understanding a team’s success as the players themselves—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, detailed video breakdowns of their offense have uncovered the hidden strategies and subtle adjustments that make them one of the AFC’s most dynamic scoring units. From Joe Burrow’s split-second passing decisions to the precision of their run-pass options (RPOs), these frame-by-frame reviews have peeled back the layers of the Bengals’ offense, revealing why they rank among the league’s top 10 in points per game (26.8) this season. Whether analyzed by coaches, analysts, or diehard fans, these breakdowns have turned casual observations into data-driven insights, highlighting the small but impactful choices that separate good offenses from great ones. Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense explores the key findings from these analyses, how they explain the Bengals’ offensive success, and why certain plays have become staples of their game plan.

One of the most revealing discoveries from video breakdowns is Joe Burrow’s pre-snap read efficiency—a skill that allows the Bengals to exploit defensive weaknesses before the ball is even snapped. Frame-by-frame reviews of Burrow’s alignment show he consistently scans the defense for “tell” signs: a cornerback’s tight coverage indicating man-to-man, a linebacker shifting to the line signaling a blitz, or a safety creeping toward the box hinting at run defense. Against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3, for example, a breakdown captured Burrow noticing Ravens safety Marcus Williams leaning toward the line; he immediately audibled to a deep pass to Ja’Marr Chase, who was left one-on-one with a cornerback—resulting in a 45-yard touchdown. Analysts have calculated that Burrow changes the play call on 38% of his snaps, a rate 12% higher than the NFL average, and those audibles result in a 72% success rate (compared to 61% on original calls). “Burrow’s pre-snap IQ isn’t just about talent—it’s about pattern recognition, and video breakdowns let us see how he connects those patterns to plays,” says former NFL quarterback and analyst Brian Griese. Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense notes that this pre-snap mastery has turned the Bengals’ offense into a “defense-reader,” forcing opponents to play more cautiously and limiting their ability to disguise coverages.

Another secret uncovered by video breakdowns is the Bengals’ use of “window dressing” in their run-pass options (RPOs)—subtle movements designed to confuse defenders and open up space for either the run or pass. Breakdowns of their most effective RPO, the “zone read with a bubble screen,” show how the Bengals use two key decoys: a wide receiver faking a block on the edge (drawing the cornerback’s attention) and a tight end leaking toward the flat (pulling the linebacker away from the run lane). Against the Cleveland Browns in Week 8, this design worked perfectly: the Browns’ cornerback bit on the receiver’s fake, leaving Chase open for a 20-yard bubble screen, while the linebacker’s focus on the tight end let Joe Mixon gain an extra 5 yards on a run play later in the drive. Analysts have found that the Bengals’ RPOs result in a 5.8-yard average gain, the third-highest in the NFL, and that defenders misread the play’s direction 41% of the time—far more than the league average of 29%. “The Bengals don’t just run RPOs—they sell them,” says NFL Films analyst Greg Cosell. “The window dressing makes it impossible for defenders to commit to either the run or pass until it’s too late.” Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense emphasizes that this attention to detail in RPO design has made the Bengals’ offense unpredictable, as opponents can never be sure whether Burrow will hand off, keep the ball, or throw.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, video breakdowns have also highlighted the critical role of “route timing” between Burrow and his wide receivers—specifically how their synchronized movements create separation against tight coverage. Frame-by-frame reviews of Chase and Tee Higgins’ routes show they use tiny, deliberate pauses (called “stem fakes”) to throw off cornerbacks. For example, when running a “slant route,” Chase will slow down for half a second at the 10-yard mark, making the cornerback think he’s going to cut outside—then quickly burst inside to catch the pass. Breakdowns of the Bengals’ Week 14 win over the Denver Broncos show this timing in action: Chase used a stem fake on three separate slant routes, resulting in two touchdowns and a 30-yard gain. Analysts have measured that the time between Burrow’s release and the receiver’s catch on these plays is just 1.2 seconds—fast enough to beat even the fastest cornerbacks’ reaction times. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this route timing isn’t accidental; it’s the result of hours of practice and film study, where Burrow and his receivers review breakdowns of opposing cornerbacks’ tendencies to refine their movements. “We watch every snap of the cornerback’s film to see how he reacts to different routes,” Higgins told reporters. “The breakdowns tell us when to fake, when to cut, and when to speed up—and that’s how we get open.” Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense explores how this level of synchronization has turned the Bengals’ passing attack into one of the most difficult to defend, as even the best cornerbacks struggle to keep up with the timing.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line, often overlooked in discussions of the team’s success, has also had its key contributions highlighted by video breakdowns—specifically their use of “combination blocks” to create lanes for Mixon and protect Burrow. Breakdowns of their “double-team to pull” block show how two linemen (usually the guard and tackle) initially block a single defensive lineman, then one of them “pulls” to the opposite side to block a linebacker. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11, this block allowed Mixon to rush for a 40-yard touchdown: the left guard and tackle double-teamed the Steelers’ defensive end, then the guard pulled to the right to take out the linebacker, opening a huge lane up the middle. Analysts have found that the Bengals’ combination blocks result in a 7.1-yard average gain on running plays, the highest in the AFC, and that they allow Burrow an extra 0.8 seconds to throw on passing plays—critical time for him to find an open receiver. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these breakdowns have helped the offensive line identify weaknesses in opposing defenses, such as which defensive linemen struggle against double-teams or which linebackers are slow to react to pulls. “We use breakdowns to game-plan every block,” says Bengals left tackle Jonah Williams. “If we see a defensive end can’t handle a double-team, we’ll run that play three or four times in a row.” Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense notes that while the offensive line may not get the same attention as Burrow or Chase, their technical precision—uncovered by video analysis—is just as vital to the Bengals’ offensive success.

Finally, video breakdowns have revealed the Bengals’ ability to adjust their offense mid-game based on what’s working—and what’s not—by using “counter plays” to exploit defensive adjustments. For example, if opponents start blitzing more to pressure Burrow, the Bengals will run a “screen pass” as a counter—using the blitzing linebackers’ momentum against them by throwing the ball behind them to a receiver or running back. Breakdowns of their Week 6 win over the Arizona Cardinals show this adjustment in real time: the Cardinals blitzed on three straight plays in the second quarter, so the Bengals called a screen to Mixon, who gained 25 yards after the blitzing linebackers overran the play. Later in the game, when the Cardinals adjusted to stop the screen, the Bengals countered with a “deep post” to Chase, who was left open because the Cardinals’ secondary was focused on the short game. Analysts have found that the Bengals make an average of 4.2 offensive adjustments per game, the second-most in the NFL, and that those adjustments result in a 68% success rate. “The Bengals don’t just have a playbook—they have a playbook of counters,” says Cosell. “Video breakdowns let them see what the defense is doing, then pick the perfect play to beat it.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this adaptability—fueled by video analysis—has made them one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, as they can change their approach on the fly to keep opponents off balance. Video Breakdowns Reveal Secrets of the Cincinnati Bengals Offense concludes that while talent (Burrow, Chase, Higgins) is the foundation of the Bengals’ offense, it’s the hidden strategies—uncovered by video breakdowns—that have turned that talent into consistent success. As the Bengals head into the playoffs, these breakdowns will continue to be a critical tool, helping them refine their game plan and exploit the weaknesses of every opponent they face.