Cincinnati Bengals

Connected Franchise Mode Strategy CFM Team Rating: 85 Offense: 91 Defense: 85 Offensive Scheme: Balanced Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3 Strengths: WR, LT, RG Weaknesses: C, ROLB, SS 2014 Team Rankings 2nd AFC North (10-5-1) Passing Offense: 21st Rushing Offense: 6th Passing Defense: 20th Rushing Defense: 20th 2014 team leaders Passing: Andy Dalton: 3,398 Rushing: Jeremy Hill: 1,124 Receiving: A.J. Green: 1,041 Tackles: Vincent Rey: 121 Sacks: Carlos Dunlap: 8 Ints: Reggie Nelson: 4 Key Additions DT Pat Sims LB A.J. Hawk WR Denarius Moore Key Rookies T Cedric Ogbuehi T Jake Fisher TE Tyler Kroft Owner: Mike Brown Legacy Score: 250 Coach: Marvin Lewis Level: 5 Legacy Score: 200 Offensive Scheme: Balanced Defensive Scheme: Base 4-3

Offensive Scouting Report

• QB Andy Dalton once again led the Bengals to the postseason, but they failed to get a win. Dalton had a solid completion percentage last season; however, the touchdown/interception ratio needs to be a little higher to consider him among the elite.
• While everyone expected HB Giovani Bernard to take over last season, rookie Jeremy Hill took the reins and scored nine TDs. Bernard is best used in bursts and deserves to be your third-down back.
• Tyler Eifert steps into the main TE role and can hopefully lead rookie Tyler Kroft to a great season. A.J. Green is the most explosive WR, but it is great for Andy Dalton to have a safety valve, and Eifert needs to be that guy.

Defensive Scouting Report

• Expect big things from DT Geno Atkins after a down season last year. With DE Michael Johnson back in town, expect the numbers for both Atkins and Carlos Dunlap to improve.
• Determine what type of defensive coverage scheme you want to lean towards, man or zone. If zone, keep Leon Hall, who has outstanding play recognition, otherwise keep Adam Jones and play more man-to-man. Dre Kirkpatrick is a zone defender with Darqueze Dennard playing more man-to-man.
• At nearly every position, the Bengals have good, but not great, players. There is not a ton of depth, so keep developing young players, especially in the LB corps. Don’t pay top dollar for average performers.

SCHEDULE

Key Players

• Green isn’t the faster WR out there, but his size and route running more than make up for it.
• Expect to see some amazing catches with 97 Spectacular Catch and Jump ratings for the 6’4” Green.

• Dunlap isn’t built to stop the run; he is a pure finesse pass rusher and excels at it.
• The 6’6” frame of Dunlap goes well with 6’7” frame of line-mate Michael Johnson. Drop them into zone coverage to mess with the QB.

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• This was a quality depth selection for the Bengals, although it may take a season or two for Ogbuehi to develop into a starter.
• The LT position is currently one of the Bengals’ few truly elite positions. Focus on building Ogbuehi’s strength.

• Hunt has the size to get in the rotation on defense. Try subbing him in at DT, where his acceleration could create a mismatch.
• Hunt is still a young player, and if you can increase his Power Moves rating, you never know what he could turn into for your squad.

OFFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

DEFENSIVE DEPTH CHART

SPECIAL TEAMS

Best Offensive Plays

BEST RUN: Gun Split Slot — HB Off Tackle

Setup:

• If your tackle can get a push upfield, this run can be very effective.
• Try to flip the play so your speedy HB Giovani Bernard is getting the bulk of the carries. Jeremy Hill is better between the tackles.

Advanced Setup:

• Motion the blocking HB out to the slot (optional).

Running Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS: Singleback Snugs Flip — Deep Post

Setup/Reads:

• Against zone coverage target the corner route or wait for the post to get open.
• Against man-to-man coverage, look to the drag route and possibly playmaker it upfield if you have time.
• Against the blitz, the HB should get open quickly, or you can hot route the in to a slant if you suspect it’s coming.

Advanced Setup:

• Hot route the in to a slant (optional).

Passing Plays

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

Best Defensive Plays

BEST RUN DEFENSE: 46 normal — Cover 2 Invert

Setup:

• Using this formation will always give you a numbers advantage in the box.
• Try spreading the line to keep everything bottled up to the inside.
• The Fire Zone 3 can get a defender in the backfield, but the risk of a long run to the outside is too great for most downs.

Player to Control:

• FS in a hook zone

Run Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ

BEST PASS DEFENSE: Nickel 3-3-5 — Cover 3 Buzz Drop

Setup:

• This is the perfect pass defense against an opponent who isn’t super patient when throwing the football.
• The front three rushers for the Bengals can generate some decent pressure from this formation, but make sure to blitz on third and long.
• Swap to the Cov 3 Cloud Drop for a subtle change with the same general concept.

Player to Control:

• Flat zone defender on the short side of the field

Pass Defense

MAN COVERAGE ZONE COVERAGE MAN BLITZ ZONE BLITZ