Going into the 2023 NFL season, it was fair to wonder if the Cincinnati Bengals could wind up fielding the best offensive line of the Joe Burrow era.
If it happens, the ascent to that status will have to begin in Week 2.
Over the course of the 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns, new left tackle Orlando Brown Jr., transitioned right tackle Jonah Williams and the rest of the crew struggled in the inclement weather.
So much so, the line had the worst pass block win rate (30 percent) of any team through the late afternoon games, according to ESPN’s Seth Walder.
Andrew Russell followed up with data on pressures allowed by the line and other blockers:
Bengals pressure rates allowed in Week 1 with total pressures and pass pro reps:
Mixon – 25%, 1 (4)
Cappa – 8.8%, 3 (34)
Williams – 8.8%, 3 (34) *charged sack*
Brown Jr – 8.8%, 3 (34)
Volson – 5.9%, 2 (34)
Karras – 5.9%, 2 (34)
T Williams – 0.0% (2)— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) September 11, 2023
Now, some considerations. For one, most lines are going to have a miserable day against Myles Garrett, easily a future Hall of Famer. It was a slick, rainy day, Joe Burrow didn’t appear to have his usual mobility coming off the calf injury and the whole unit didn’t have many summer reps together.
Which is to say the offense can recover from this — and perhaps very soon. But it’s not the fast start some might’ve hoped for after the upgrades and vibes that Burrow was near-100 percent.
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