The new-look Cincinnati Bengals indeed appeared notably different during the team’s Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
While the heartbreaker of a loss despite a late Joe Burrow drive as regulation came to an end hurts, there are big signs of progress merely by looking at the snap counts.
Some top takeaways from the snap charts:
— Jonah Williams had his problems but it’s notable he was in on 100 percent of the offense’s snaps. Reps equal progress for a guy who is technically a rookie.
— Burrow was in on 100 percent of the snaps too. What the chart doesn’t show is his superb, clear progress as the game continued, even if he grades himself as a “D.”
— John Ross led all wideouts, though that’ll likely change once A.J. Green isn’t on a pitch count anymore.
— Newcomer Vonn Bell was a workhorse, finishing as the only defender who played on 100 percent of the snaps.
— Linebacker Josh Bynes lived up to his free-agency hype, finishing with the second-most snaps at his position behind Germaine Pratt.
— Rookies Logan Wilson and Akeem Davis-Gaither each had 27 percent or more of the defense’s total snaps and it was encouraging to see them put in key situations. It feels like a matter of time before Wilson leads all ‘backers in snaps and it’s already surprising to see ADG not merely limited to special teams.
Bengals' offensive and defensive snap counts from the Week 1 loss to the Chargers. pic.twitter.com/hqoGpfduda
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 14, 2020
