{"id":272031,"date":"2025-10-02T14:08:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:08:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/272031\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T14:08:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T14:08:10","slug":"lions-week-5-preview-breaking-down-bengals-offensive-defensive-schemes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/272031\/","title":{"rendered":"Lions Week 5 preview: Breaking down Bengals\u2019 offensive, defensive schemes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals will square off in Week 5 of the 2025 season, the Lions\u2019 third straight matchup against an AFC North opponent. These two teams have met only 13 times in their history, with just one meeting during the Dan Campbell era\u2014a Bengals win, which occurred back in 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">While the teams don\u2019t have a lengthy history, these two head coaches are very familiar with each other. Campbell and Bengals\u2019 coach Zac Taylor coached alongside each other from 2012 to 2015 with the Miami Dolphins. And when Campbell was named interim head coach in their final season, Taylor was his offensive coordinator.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">\u201cI\u2019ve known Zac (Taylor) a long time, coached with Zac,\u201d Campbell said on Wednesday. \u201cWhat he\u2019s done out there has been pretty amazing, and they\u2019ve built something pretty special over there.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">Let\u2019s take a closer look at the Bengals\u2019 coaching staff, the scheme that they run, and some scouting notes from previously viewed games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Bengals head coach: <\/strong>Zac Taylor<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>NFL coaching seasons:<\/strong> 13 seasons<br \/><strong>Head coaching seasons:<\/strong> 7th season (all with Bengals)<br \/><strong>Influences:<\/strong> Sean McVay, Matt LaFleur, Mike Sherman, Joe Philbin, Bill Lazor<br \/><strong>Playcaller<\/strong>: Yes<br \/><strong>Fun Fact:<\/strong> Taylor was Jared Goff\u2019s offensive coordinator in L.A. in 2018, the year they went to the Super Bowl<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\">While Campbell and Goff are praising Taylor this week, the Cincinnati fan base has a much different perspective, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyjungle.com\/cincinnati-bengals-scores-results\/175982\/twitter-rips-zac-taylor-denver-broncos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">many calling for his job<\/a>. Here\u2019s an excerpt from a recent article at our brother site at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cincyjungle.com\/cincinnati-bengals-analysis\/175921\/bengals-players-matchups-predictions-denver-broncos-nfl-week-4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SB Nation, Cincy Jungle<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1\">Here\u2019s the thing about Zac Taylor, and this may be stating the obvious: He\u2019s a great leader and culture builder. The Bengals locker room has been lauded for its positivity, leadership, and strong culture for the last seven seasons. That stuff is hard to come by in the NFL, and Taylor\u2019s relentless positivity through the Bengals\u2019 struggles in his first two seasons as head coach is a big reason why the Bengals got to Super Bowl LVI in just Taylor\u2019s third season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1\">The downside is that Taylor is severely limited as an offensive-minded coach and schemer. Most notably, he hasn\u2019t evolved as much as other head coaches, including his former boss, Sean McVay. He\u2019s undergone some evolution, but not nearly enough, like McVay and other great head coaches in the NFL.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Offensive coordinator: <\/strong>Dan Pitcher<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>NFL coaching seasons<\/strong>: 10 (all with Bengals)<br \/><strong>Offensive coordinator seasons<\/strong>: 2nd (took over in 2024 after Brian Callahan, Titans HC)<br \/><strong>Influences:<\/strong> Zac Taylor, Brian Callahan, Ken Zampese, Bill Lazor<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>Passing game<\/strong>: Modern-Spread, West Coast McVay\/Shanahan style blend<br \/><strong>Running scheme<\/strong>: Outside-zone, run inside OTs nearly 60% of the time (2nd most in NFL)<br \/><strong>Staples of scheme<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1\">\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Personnel: 11 (68.9%, 10th), 12 (26.8%, 12th)<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Offense designed and molded for Joe Burrow (injured)<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Heavy passing team under Burrow \u2014 shifting towards balance after injury under Jake Browning<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Primarily work out of shotgun sets \u2014 more under center with Browning<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Play-action &#8211; very low numbers this season (18.5%, 31st)<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Vertical shots<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Explosive plays with two top-tier WRs<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Screens and flares to skill players<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Run behind tackles, but stay inside<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Offense hasn\u2019t evolved over the past seven seasons under Taylor and is struggling to adapt<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Risk adverse: <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/benbbaldwin\/status\/1970569114654802427\">Opts for field position and FG over going for it on fourth down<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1\">\n<li class=\"feuejx1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Ben_Baby\/status\/1972880192759881914\">Offense is operating at historical lows<\/a>: held under 200 yards of offense in three of four games<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Failed to run a play in Broncos territory following their opening possession<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Undisciplined football right now: mistakes on top of mistakes, penalties on top of penalties<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Pushed the envelope in passing game vs. Vikings (Week 3), which led to turnovers<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Passing game went very conservative vs. Broncos (Week 4), which led to a subdued offense<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Passing game isn\u2019t getting the ball to their playmakers; rushed and poor decision-making<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Defenses are stacking the box with a limited passing threat<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">The most ineffective run game in the NFL right now\u2014rank dead last in NFL in multiple categories<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">OL not opening rushing lanes<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">IOL is very leaky, losing one-on-ones, multiple MAs; now starting two rookie guards<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Aidan Hutchinson should eat vs. these OTs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>Dan Campbell on the Bengals\u2019 offense<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1\">\u201cSo, they\u2019ve got good players; (Ja\u2019Marr Chase) 1 and (Tee Higgins) 5 are good, this quarterback (Jake Browning)\u2019s capable. The (Chase Brown) back, he\u2019s explosive, he finds a crease, he can take it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>Dan Campbell on the Bengals\u2019 offense without Burrow<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1\">\u201cWell, they\u2019re doing the same things. They\u2019re really, I would say, proceeding the same way, for the most part. Maybe some quicker throws, things of that nature, but this team throws it a lot and in primo looks, they\u2019ll run it. But I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s that different. We know these two receivers (Chase and Higgins) are really good and they\u2019re looking for those matchups. They feel like they can get a one-on-one, that\u2019s where the ball\u2019s going\u2014and why wouldn\u2019t it? So, we\u2019re going to have to do a good job of disrupting those guys as much as we can and try to limit what they can do over there. But also, not let this guy tear us up in the run game either. So, I don\u2019t feel like it\u2019s something different though.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><strong>Defensive coordinator: <\/strong>Al Golden<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>NFL coaching seasons:<\/strong> 7 total; Lions (TE: 2016\u201417, LB 18-19), Bengals (LB: 2020-1, DC: 2025)<br \/><strong>Defensive coordinator seasons:<\/strong> 1st in NFL (2025)<br \/><strong>College DC:<\/strong> Virginia (2001-5), Notre Dame (2022-24)<br \/><strong>College HC:<\/strong> Temple (2006-10), Miami (2011-15)<br \/><strong>Influences:<\/strong> Bill Parcells, Al Groh, Tom O\u2019Brien, Lou Anarumo, Teryl Austin, Matt Patricia<br \/><strong>Key Staff<\/strong>: Jordan Kovacs, Secondary\/Safeties coach (Former Michigan Safety)<\/p>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>Base<\/strong>: 4-2 Pro-Style<br \/><strong>Coverage<\/strong>: Split field into thirds; Cover-1 man (23%), Cover-3 zone (33%), Cover-6 zone (21%)<br \/><strong>Staples of scheme<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1\">\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">This defense is brand new to the Bengals\u2019 defense, from concepts to language<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Defensive design is to mitigate risk<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Defense matches offense rather than disguising intentions<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Priority is stopping the run first<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Defensive line heavily rotates their bigger bodies<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">DL Stunts &#8211; fewer than anticipated due to run-stuffing IDL personnel<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Replacement blitzing &#8211; drop EDGE Trey Hendrickson into coverage at times<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Linebackers are the heavy focus &#8211; asked to do a lot in this scheme<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Linebackers rotate and shift around<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">CBs need to have press-man experience<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Prefers more physical, safety-like NB<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Centerfield safety on 75+% of snaps<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul class=\"duet--article--unordered-list _1nfb3k4i feuejx0 ls9zuh1\">\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Has turned up the aggression now that Burrow is out\u2026 However, that\u2019s not saying much<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Through 3 games, lowest blitz rate in the NFL: 6.6%\u2026 After 4 games: 12.7% (still lowest)<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Only 2 pass rushers with double-digit win rate: Hendrickson (20.8%, 18th), Shemar Stewart (14.6%, 45th) \u2026 but Stewart is injured and not practicing<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Front-seven struggle to stay with RBs in the passing game and laterally on outside zone runs<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Linebackers make plays more because of scrappiness than scheme\/talent<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Why are they rotating their best LBs out in critical spots?<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Back-seven are losing track of coverage assignments, not communicating well<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">NB Dax Hill could be Amon-Ra St. Brown\u2019s toughest assignment so far this season<\/li>\n<li class=\"feuejx1\">Give up a lot of YAC (yards after catch)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1\"><strong>Dan Campbell on the Bengals\u2019 defense<\/strong><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"duet--article--blockquote _1teeyfa0 ls9zuh9\">\n<p class=\"duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup _1teeyfa8 ls9zuh1\">\u201cDefensively, I\u2019ve always loved (T.J.) Slaton up there in the middle, (B.J.) Hill long-time steady, reliable, hard-nosed. Certainly (Trey) Hendrickson on the edge, 55 Logan (Wilson) has seen it all, done it all, run and hit. So yeah, they\u2019ve got some good guys. I think their (Dax Hill) nickel\u2019s a good player too. They\u2019ve got some dudes, so we\u2019ve got to be ready to go out at their place, but we\u2019re looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals will square off in Week 5 of the 2025 season, the Lions\u2019&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":272032,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[109388,16242,62,67,132,68],"class_list":{"0":"post-272031","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-detroit-lions-game-preview","9":"tag-detroit-lions-analysis","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-united-states","12":"tag-unitedstates","13":"tag-us"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@us\/115304969401464607","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272031","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=272031"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/272031\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/272032"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=272031"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=272031"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=272031"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}