Bengals Passing Game: Attacking the Middle of the Field

How Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are torching defenses using Dig routes.

Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are the top NFL duo so far this season. As an offensive coordinator, it can be a tough task to get your playmaker the ball when the entire defense is scheming to take him away.

Despite drawing bracket coverage Dan Pitcher has done a great job finding targets for Chase who leads the NFL in yards and receptions. Their most used way to get Chase open has been running dig routes to attack the middle of the field.

Having Chase attack horizontally is a great strategy vs double coverage. The safety will stay deep over the top while allowing Chase to work the underneath defender 1- on-1 as he finds space between the linebackers displaced by other routes. This also allows him a big run-after-catch potential.

Let’s take a deeper look at the route concepts Pitcher is using to get Chase his biggest plays.