The Cincinnati Bengals aren’t having tremendous success running the ball, but it’s not for a lack of trying by offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.
Jackson isn’t worried about the slow start, however, saying that the numbers will come when they’re supposed to, per ESPN’s Coley Harvey.
“The numbers will come. I’m not worried about where the numbers will be. They will be what they’re supposed to be when they’re supposed to be there. People have to understand that.”
Cincinnati has opened the 2015 NFL season 5-0, so the Bengals have plenty to be happy about. But if Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard start producing at a higher level, the offense could be scary good.
Andy Dalton has guided Cincinnati to a league-best 421.4 yards per game, scoring an average of 29.6 points—which is the fourth-highest mark in the NFL. Dalton himself has accumulated 1,518 passing yards and 11 touchdowns while tossing just two interceptions.
Now, the Bengals do rank 10th with 124.2 rushing yards per outing, and Bernard has done well enough tallying 75.4 of those yards. Nevertheless, the ground attack can improve considerably, since Hill has just 176 total yards and proved in 2014 he’s capable of much more.
As Jackson suggested, Hill won’t be limited forever because the he’s still consistently receiving touches. The second-year running back will put up numbers when he puts up the numbers.
Patience is boring, but it’s important, too.