Accounting for their underlying play style and matchup dynamics, the leading projections forecast the Cincinnati Bengals to pass on 60.6% of their downs: the 9th-highest frequency on the slate this week.
The model projects the Cincinnati Bengals to run the 3rd-most offensive plays among all teams this week with 67.2 plays, given their underlying tendencies and game dynamics.
The Vikings defense has been a well-known pass funnel this year, compelling opposing teams to attempt the 9th-most passes in the NFL (37.8 per game) this year.
Tanner Hudson has been a much bigger part of his offense’s pass game this year (12.6% Target Share in games he has been on the field) than he was last year (5.3%).
Tanner Hudson has notched quite a few more air yards this season (23.0 per game) than he did last season (10.0 per game).
Cons
With a 3-point advantage, the Bengals are favored in this week’s game, suggesting more of a reliance on rushing than their typical approach.
The Cincinnati Bengals have run the 7th-fewest plays in the NFL this year, totaling a mere 55.9 plays per game.
As it relates to pass-blocking (and the importance it has on all passing game statistics), the offensive line of the Bengals profiles as the 7th-worst in football this year.
With a lackluster 3.32 yards-after-the-catch (YAC) (16th percentile) this year, Tanner Hudson stands among the top TE receiving threats in the league in picking up extra yardage.
This year, the tough Minnesota Vikings defense has conceded the 4th-least adjusted yards-per-target in the NFL to opposing tight ends: a measly 6.5 yards.