How the Bengals can overcome primetime woes against Chiefs

1. Continue Mixing Coverages

One of the best facets of the Bengals defense is their ability to play multiple coverages competently. Cornerbacks William Jackson III and Dre Kirkpatrick are capable of switching between zone, man, and pattern-match assignments with ease. That’s going to be key against the terrifyingly good Chiefs receivers.

Jackson is one of the better man corners in the league, while Kirkpatrick can hold his own despite being a risk to draw coverage flags. The Bengals will primarily use them in Cover 3 looks but they disguise the man or zone distinction effectively. Andy Reid will use a lot of pre-snap motion as an attempt to reveal the coverage, though.

According to Steve Palazzolo of Pro Football Focus, Mahomes has been the best quarterback in the league against zone, but below average against man defenses. The Bengals won’t be able to play man on every snap without exposing their corners to the speed and route-running combination of Tyreek Hill and Sammy Watkins.

This is where pattern-matching comes in. The Denver Broncos were able to limit Mahomes and the passing offense by rushing four and using a blend of pattern-match coverage and man. Abandoning pure Cover 2 zone is the way to go against Mahomes.

Pattern-matching is a preferred mix coverage as long as communication is rock solid. It gives the option of zone and man based on receiver releases off the line of scrimmage.

With as well as safety Jessie Bates has played in his rookie year, the Bengals have continued to trust Bates in both half-field and single-high assignments. His range can’t make up for the speed of Hill and Watkins, so Shawn Williams and Clayton Fejedelem will have to act as coverage support more than be box presences.