The Cincinnati Bengals came up short on the scoreboard in Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs, yet made some key changes that should inspire confidence about the rest of the season.
Snap counts from the game say it all, so here are some quick takeaways.
- There was a shift in the backfield on Sunday, with Zack Moss playing 80 percent of the offense’s snaps compared to 20 percent for Chase Brown. The combo was productive as such, with Moss making a few key plays.
- The tight end surge happened. Three names played at least 47 percent of the snaps, with Mike Gesicki actually trailing Erick All and Drew Sample. Gesicki ended up leading the team in receiving, though, with seven catches for 91 yards.
- Ja’Marr Chase was back up over 90 percent now that he’s full-go and the contract situation is apparently at a messy end.
- When Tee Higgins gets back, those 35 snaps for Trenton Irwin might hit zero, especially with Andrei Iosvias looking like a star in the making.
- Jermaine Burton got just 10 snaps but made the most of it on the 47-yard bomb from Joe Burrow.
- Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard went for over 70 percent of the snaps, which might not be sustainable all season. They really need Myles Murphy back off IR.
- They also need Zach Carter and other backups to not be near that 70 percent mark, but the injuries just keep piling up.
- It is downright stunning to see Jordan Battle get just one snap after his promising start last year.
