NFL6d ago
Bengals Turn to Perine to Spark Ground Attack in Victory
Cincinnati leaned on the veteran back's downhill running style to fix a struggling run game and end a two-game skid.
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Scheme Shift Pays Off
The Bengals recognized early that their usual rushing approach was not working against the Dolphins and shifted to a scheme built around inside zone calls. This change allowed runners to attack the middle of the line and create downhill lanes. The adjustment produced better results on the ground during the 31-24 win, giving Cincinnati a clearer path forward as the team seeks its offensive identity.
Perine Leads the Way
Samaje Perine stepped into a larger role with 14 carries for 68 yards after combining for just 13 carries across the prior four games. He also scored on a reception. Chase Brown started but gained only 2.4 yards per carry in the first half, while Perine averaged 6.1. The workload later balanced with seven carries for Perine and six for Brown, and their per-carry averages finished nearly even at 3.6 and 3.7.
Looking Ahead After the Win
Cincinnati improved to 3-2 and snapped its skid while the Dolphins fell to 0-5. Coach Zac Taylor noted the backfield split can vary week to week depending on what the matchup requires. The team now has time before its next game against Baltimore to refine the rushing plan and decide how often the quarterback operates under center versus in the shotgun.
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