The Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive performance recently has been nothing short of disastrous, representing one of the worst displays in decades at the professional level. While defensive failures in games aren’t uncommon, it’s rare to witness a complete collapse where nothing works. The Bengals struggled equally in pass coverage and stopping the run, and the blame is becoming clear as the season progresses.
Bengals’ Defensive Woes Point to Coordinator’s Major Missteps
When the Bengals allowed nose tackle D.J. Reader to leave for the Detroit Lions during the offseason free agency period, many expected the run defense to suffer. However, the reality has been far worse, as the defense appears entirely ineffective against rushing offenses. The front office’s decision not to sign a replacement for Reader—a 30-year-old who had battled injuries—has proven to be a glaring mistake.
Despite the roster gap, there are still tactics defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo could employ to mitigate the damage. One obvious solution would be to tighten the defensive line, placing both defensive tackles in more effective positions, like over the offensive guard or on the inside shoulder. Instead, Anarumo did the opposite.
In a game where the rushing attack was relentless, Anarumo failed to adjust. Rather than shift his defensive tackles to a more aggressive alignment, he frequently left the middle of the field exposed. According to Pro Football Focus, during 57 defensive plays against Washington, the Bengals only had a defensive tackle in a key A-gap position on 10 occasions, leaving their defense vulnerable for the remaining 82% of the game.
Anarumo’s stock as a defensive coordinator has been in steady decline since the Bengals’ Super Bowl run in 2021, where he once received head coaching inquiries. Now, his tenure appears at risk, and unless he finds a solution quickly, his job could be in jeopardy midseason as the defense continues to falter.