(12-05-2023, 12:44 PM)mikesez Wrote: The announcers were saying they were surprised how many 6 man protections the Bengals used.  I guess Caldwell was surprised too.  He should have responded with 7 man zone coverage, or press with 3 deep safeties, to clog the lanes and make it hard for the 4 receivers to get open.  He didn't seem to have any of those in his game plan.

In other words, he got schooled by an elite offensive play caller. Just like when Kyle Shanahan schooled him a few weeks ago. Caldwell's just in his 2nd year as a defensive coordinator. He had his lumps last year. He's had less lumps this year overall. 

It's not surprising though that two of the youngest and brightest offensive minds in football, who have been in Championship games several times now over the last five, six years, took him to the cleaners and back. 

It did bother me though that it felt awfully like what the 49ers did. Tons of pre snap movement and motion, timely screen passes, perfect blitz beaters, gashes up the middle, tosses to the outside with motion used to get away from strengths. A lot of short, easy stuff underneath. 

Defense didn't learn anything apparently when they got schooled by the 49ers. Again, one forced punt and a lucky break with an INT by Allen is all they had to show for the night.

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