If there’s one thing the Chiefs should expect to see in AFC Championship game against the Bengals, it’s Joe Burrow lined up in empty formations — with just Burrow in the backfield. This season, only Matthew Stafford has more passing attempts out of empty than Burrow, who has completed 87 of 123 passes in 139 dropbacks for 989 yards, 501 air yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions, and a passer rating of 97.2.
Lining up in empty will give the Bengals’ offense the few extra yards that they need to keep a drive going. It’s pretty much their go-to offensive formation when times get tough.
In Week 17 versus the Chiefs in a 34-31 win, Burrow attempted six passes out of empty, completing five for 39 yards. The explosive plays Burrow had didn’t come out of empty, but it helps sustain drives. Not only do the Bengals come out in empty but sometimes they motion from empty, or to an empty; putting running back Joe Mixon out wide. The motion gives Burrow a chance to see the defensive coverage.
Against the Titans in Cincinnati’s divisional round win, the Bengals were more aggressive with empty concepts, and that helped Burrow transcend the nine sacks he took to complete 28 of 37 passes for 348 yards.
Why the empty is so beneficial for the Bengals’ offense?
In order to get the receivers some space, the Bengals often use bunch trips. When the receivers are lined up close together, it forces the defense to take a few steps off the line of scrimmage to avoid any rub or pick routes.
On this play, the two inside receivers run straight providing an underneath lane for Mixon to catch a slant for some YAC. Unfortunately, this play resulted in a sack but the underneath was wide open.
Another way, the Bengals get success from empty is when they can get their guys in open space with screens and quick outs.
Joe Mixon and Ja’Marr Chase rank eighth and ninth in the league in total scrimmage yards, they are both so flexible in the run and passing game. Therefore, when lining a running back out wide, the defense is spread thin, with at least four defenders across the field.
On the play above, since the Chiefs defenders are in press, its easier to get a helmet on the defender to block him out of the way leaving a great opportunity for a tunnel screen.
Screens and quick passes will be key to sustaining long drives.
In the next clip, Mixon is first lined up out wide, but as he motions, the linebackers shift, taking linebacker Willie Gay Jr. out of the play.
The most effective way the Bengals use empty is in getting Chase one-on-one matchups on the outside.
Kansas City’s defense loves to get right in your face at the line of scrimmage, playing press-man coverage. The downside is that they leave little to no help over the top. The Bengals have so much confidence in their receivers to get out in open space, they will attack you with their playmakers if you don’t double team.
The quick pass to the outside has shown to be effective, but they also attack defenses deep when they first come out in an empty look.
In the next clip, Mixon is lined up in the slot with a defender in front of him. Once they motion him into the backfield that shifts the defense to the middle, having to honor either a run or if he crosses Burrow. This leaves Chase on an island with his cornerback.
The most important thing for the Bengals will be to sustain long drives, which keeps the ball out of Patrick Mahomes’ hands. It will also be crucial to match the Chiefs’ offense score-for-score. The Bengals will look to get the ball in the flat, underneath and outside the hashes to the sideline where Chase can do what he does best.
The Bengals also should know that this season, against empty formations, Kansas City’s defense has allowed 47 completions on 67 attempts out of empty this season for 522 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions, and an opponent QBR of 95.5, which ranks 19th in the NFL. There are plays to be made out of empty, and the Bengals’ offense is set up to do it.
