Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals

As the Cincinnati Bengals enter the critical final weeks of the NFL regular season and set their sights on the playoffs, their defensive coaching staff has made a clear priority: tailoring defensive schemes to neutralize the unique threats of each upcoming opponent. No longer relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, the Bengals have shifted to a dynamic strategy—analyzing opponents’ offensive strengths, identifying weaknesses, and tweaking formations, coverages, and pass-rush packages to gain an edge. Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals explores how this adaptive approach has turned the Bengals’ defense from a steady unit into a versatile force, capable of shutting down both high-powered passing attacks and run-heavy offenses. For a team with playoff aspirations, these adjustments aren’t just tactical moves—they’re essential to competing with the AFC’s top contenders.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals begins with the team’s rigorous opponent analysis process, which lays the groundwork for every scheme adjustment. Each week, the Bengals’ defensive staff spends 40+ hours breaking down film of the upcoming opponent, tracking metrics like run-pass ratio, favorite formations (e.g., 11 personnel vs. 22 personnel), and down-and-distance tendencies. For example, when preparing for the Buffalo Bills—who rely on Josh Allen’s ability to extend plays with his legs and target Stefon Diggs on deep routes—the staff noted that the Bills run 60% of their plays out of 11 personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end, 3 wide receivers) and call deep passes on 25% of third-and-long situations. “We don’t just watch highlights—we study every snap,” said Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. “We want to know what they do in every scenario, so we can design schemes that take away their go-to plays.” This analysis also includes tracking individual player habits, like whether a running back prefers to cut left or right, or if a quarterback tends to look to one side of the field first. Armed with this data, the staff then maps out specific adjustments—from shifting from a 4-3 to a 3-4 front to adding extra defensive backs in nickel packages.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals continues with how the Bengals tailor adjustments to counter different offensive styles. When facing run-heavy teams like the Baltimore Ravens—who rank top-5 in rushing yards per game—the Bengals shift to a “gap-control” scheme: defensive linemen are assigned to specific gaps (A, B, C) to prevent running backs from finding holes, while linebackers focus on reading the offensive line’s blocking and filling any remaining gaps. Against the Ravens earlier this season, this adjustment worked: the Bengals held Baltimore to 98 rushing yards, 50 yards below their season average. Conversely, when facing pass-heavy teams like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bengals switch to a “coverage-focused” scheme, often using nickel (5 defensive backs) or dime (6 defensive backs) packages to blanket receivers. When preparing for the Chiefs’ Tyreek Hill (now with Miami), the Bengals used a “shadow” coverage, assigning cornerback Chidobe Awuzie to follow Hill wherever he lined up, while using safety Jessie Bates III as a deep center fielder to prevent long touchdowns. “We don’t force a scheme on an opponent—we let their style dictate ours,” Anarumo said. “If they want to run, we stop the run. If they want to pass, we shut down the pass.” These style-specific adjustments have paid off: the Bengals rank 8th in the NFL in points allowed against top-10 offenses this season.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals shifts to how the Bengals adjust player roles to fit each scheme, maximizing the strengths of key defenders. When Trey Hendrickson (the team’s leading sacker) was sidelined with a knee injury, the staff adjusted the pass-rush scheme to lean more on Sam Hubbard and Joseph Ossai, shifting Hubbard from defensive end to defensive tackle in certain packages to exploit mismatches against interior offensive linemen. Against the Arizona Cardinals, this adjustment led to Hubbard’s two-sack performance, as he used his speed to beat slower guards. Similarly, when facing quarterbacks who excel at scrambling (like Allen or Lamar Jackson), the Bengals assign a “spy” linebacker—usually Logan Wilson—to shadow the quarterback, staying with him even if he leaves the pocket. Wilson’s spy role was crucial against the Bills last season: he recorded two tackles for loss on Allen scrambles and forced a fumble when Allen tried to extend a play. “Our players are flexible—they can play multiple positions and adapt to different roles,” Anarumo said. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these role adjustments are just as important as scheme tweaks; they ensure that every defender is in a position to succeed, even when the scheme changes week to week. This flexibility has also helped the Bengals overcome injuries, as backups can step into adjusted roles without disrupting the defense’s flow.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals delves into how the Bengals test and refine adjustments during practice, ensuring they’re game-ready. Each week, the Bengals’ scout team replicates the upcoming opponent’s offense, running their exact plays and formations in practice. The defensive unit then runs through the adjusted schemes, with coaches providing real-time feedback on alignment, gap assignment, and coverage. For example, when preparing for the Bills’ deep passing game, the scout team ran 20+ deep route reps per practice, with the defense practicing their nickel coverage and deep safety rotations. “Practice is where adjustments become second nature,” said Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt. “By the time game day comes, we don’t have to think about the scheme—we just react.” The staff also uses “walkthrough” sessions (slower, non-contact practices) to review situational adjustments, like what to do on fourth-and-1 or in the two-minute drill. For the Cincinnati Bengals, this practice structure ensures that adjustments aren’t just on paper—they’re ingrained in the defense’s muscle memory. It also allows coaches to make last-minute tweaks: if a scout team rep reveals a flaw in the scheme (e.g., a coverage gap), the staff can fix it before game day. This attention to detail has led to the Bengals ranking 10th in the NFL in defensive efficiency in the fourth quarter, when adjustments often matter most.

Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with the impact of these adjustments on the Bengals’ playoff hopes and their long-term defensive identity. As the Bengals prepare to face AFC powerhouses like the Bills, Chiefs, and Ravens in the playoffs, their ability to adjust schemes will be a deciding factor. A single bad adjustment could lead to a blowout loss, while a well-timed tweak could shut down a star player and secure a win. The Bengals’ recent success—winning three of their last four games, with the defense holding opponents to 19 points per game during that stretch—has been directly tied to these adjustments. “In the playoffs, everyone is talented—what separates good teams from great teams is the ability to adapt,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Beyond this season, these adjustments are shaping the Bengals’ defensive identity: a unit that’s not defined by one style, but by its ability to outthink and outexecute opponents. For fans, the adjustments are a reminder of the team’s strategic depth—proof that the Bengals aren’t just relying on talent to win, but on smart, prepared coaching. As the playoffs begin, all eyes will be on how the Bengals’ defense adjusts to each opponent, and whether those adjustments can lead them to another Super Bowl run. In the end, Defensive Schemes Adjusted for Upcoming Foes by the Cincinnati Bengals is a story of preparation and flexibility—of a team that knows success in the NFL isn’t about being perfect, but about being able to change when the game demands it.