The Bengals may take to the air less in this contest (and call more carries) because they be forced to utilize backup quarterback Jake Browning.
Right now, the 2nd-most pass-focused offense in the NFL (66.9% context-neutralized) according to our trusted projection set is the Bengals.
Accounting for the game dynamics and the underlying tendencies of each team, this contest is forecasted by the projections to see 138.0 offensive plays called: the highest number among all games this week.
After accruing 10.0 air yards per game last year, Tanner Hudson has shown good development this year, currently sitting at 24.0 per game.
Tanner Hudson’s 26.4 WOPR (Weighted Opportunity Rating—an advanced metric that measures high-value offensive involvement) has been substantially higher this season than it was last season at 11.7.
Cons
With a 3-point advantage, the Bengals are favored in this week’s game, suggesting more of a focus on rushing than their typical game plan.
The Cincinnati Bengals have called the 10th-fewest plays in the NFL this year, totaling a lowly 56.2 plays per game.
Opposing teams teams have been reluctant to pass too much against the Colts, totaling the 8th-fewest attempts in football (just 34.0 per game) this year.
As it relates to pass-blocking (and the ramifications it has on all passing game stats), the offensive line of the Bengals ranks as the 7th-worst in football this year.
With a subpar 3.35 yards-after-the-catch (YAC) (18th percentile) this year, Tanner Hudson rates among the best pass-game TEs in the league in space.