Can the Bengals RB Turn Around His Disappointing Start to the Season?
The Cincinnati Bengals’ offense has started the year rough for a team with big aspirations. With Joe Burrow being injured for the majority of the season, most expect Chase Brown to get more carries and produce more for the Cincinnati offense, but it has been the complete opposite. Through three games this season, Brown has 93 rushing yards on 47 carries, averaging just under two yards per carry. Brown has added 43 receiving yards on eight receptions, averaging just over five yards per reception.
According to NextGenStats, Brown has -54 yards before contact, something that the NFL has never seen before in a three-game stretch. The Bengals’ offensive line is currently ranked 30th in the NFL, with the best player being Ted Karras, the 25th-ranked center in the NFL. Offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. comes in ranked 27th among offensive tackles, while Amarius Mims is ranked 47th. Guards Dylan Fairchild and Dalton Risner are ranked 33rd and 60th, respectively, at the guard positions.
The Bengals’ offensive line playing as poorly as they have doesn’t give Brown much room to improve. With a likely increased workload and hopefully the offensive line rotating more players, Brown could be utilized in more ways in the coming weeks, something we saw the Bengals turn to Ja'Marr Chase last season. Lining up in the backfield, in the slot, or wide makes the defense have to think more, and using him as a motion back with his speed could cause problems. Look out for Zac Taylor to try to scheme a handful of plays for Brown against the Broncos on Monday Night Football.
The only issue that works against Brown having a rise in production is the Bengals’ defense. When the Bengals lost 48-10 to the Vikings last week, they were down big early. Trying to come back from a large deficit usually means you will be passing the ball the majority of the time. Brown only received 10 carries last week, eight of them coming in the first half. Brown, as a receiving back, takes on more of a role when the Bengals are down big, but he doesn’t have as big a role as a pass catcher. If the Bengals can stay in games, then Brown should get back on track as an exciting, young player, but there are a lot of moving pieces now that Burrow is out for the majority of the year. Don’t be surprised if you see the Bengals turn to Semaje Perine or rookie Tahj Brooks for help in the run game, too.
