Ted Karras says Bengals need to 'wake up' on offense

Veteran center Ted Karras spoke on Monday, expressing that the Cincinnati Bengals' offense had a brutal performance in their recent game against Jacksonville. Karras emphasized the need for the team to wake up and get back on track. The Bengals lost their second consecutive game, 22-17, and Karras acknowledged that the offense had a chance to win both games on the final drive.

The team has now lost two games in a row, which is concerning for players, coaches, and fans who had high expectations for an explosive offense. Karras explained that the Bengals' offensive struggles stem from a lack of versatility in their play-calling, particularly when it comes to the under-center formation. This formation is crucial for masking the quarterback's intentions and providing more running plays and scrambling options.

However, the Bengals have relied heavily on the shotgun formation, which has led to an imbalance in their offensive scheme. The team needs to be more balanced, with a greater emphasis on running plays. Karras believes that by sticking with the run game and being more consistent with it, the Bengals can improve their performance.

Currently, the Bengals are struggling to run the ball effectively, ranking 31st in the league in rushing offense through four weeks. To address this issue, coach Zac Taylor needs to be confident that all 11 players will execute the run plays at a high level. The team hopes to turn things around against the Miami Dolphins and use their bye week to make necessary adjustments to their scheme.