Cincinnati Bengals

Offense

The Bengals’ offense is optimized for either a power or speed back, which makes it versatile. If you get a power back, stick with the under-center run formations. If you find an elusive player, get him out in space for screens and counters from shotgun.

Key Formation

Gun Trips Y Iso will let your best offensive playmaker get a chance downfield.

Key Player

WR/TE with 85+ Spectacular Catch

Formations

• SINGLEBACK: Ace, Ace Pair, Ace Pair Twins, Doubles, Y-Trips, Snugs Flip, Bunch
• I-FORM: Pro, Pro Twins, Tight Pair
• STRONG: Pro, Close, Pro Twins
• WEAK: Pro Twins
• PISTOL: Strong Twins
• GUN: Split Slot, Ace Offset, Ace Twins Offset, Doubles Offset, Y-Trips Bengal, Trio, Bunch Wk, Double Stack, Normal Y-Flex Tight, Trips Y Iso, Trey Open, Empty Trey, Empty Base Flex
• WILDCAT: Bengal

• The Bengals’ playbook has some solid one-on-one routes if you can land a star WR, but make sure that your QB has the throwing power to get the ball downfield.

OFFENSIVE Draft Targets

• WR (SPD, RTE, SPC)
• QB (THP, MAC, DAC)
• HB (SPD, CTH, ELU)

Defense

The Bengals’ defensive book contains lots of versatility for a 4-3 playbook. By dropping defensive ends into coverage and sending LBs on blitzes, you can create plenty of confusion.

Key Formation

The 46 Normal is perfect for slowing down the run and testing your opponent’s passing game. Move your defensive linemen around to find them good rushing matchups.

Key Player

DT with 85+ Finesse Moves

Formations

• 4-3: Normal, Under, Over, Over Plus, Wide 9
• 46: Normal
• NICKEL: Normal, Double A Gap, 3-3-5, 3-3-5 Wide
• DIME: Normal
• QUARTER: Normal, 3 Deep

• If you can draft a more athletic pass-rushing DT, it will pay off more than a stronger run-stuffing type.

DEFENSIVE Draft Targets

• DT (FMV, ACC, STR)
• MLB (POW, ZCV, PRC)
• DE (SPD, FMV, ZCV)