NFL Week 6 Coaching Decisions: Bengals Craft Great Game Plan, 49ers Settle at the Last Second

A weekly review of the coaching strategies that merit praise and the ones that deserve criticism.

The Bengals’ defense should have had the spotlight after shutting down the Seahawks in Week 6, but they were overshadowed by the defensive performances from the Browns and Jets in their upset wins.

Lou Anarumo’s defensive unit won’t be overlooked in this space. The Bengals’ defensive coordinator delivered a sensational game plan in last week’s 17–13 win, one that confused Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith.

Smith often held the ball too long because he was unable to read the coverages downfield, which led to two interceptions. It also allowed the pass rushers to get home, as the Bengals sacked Smith four times. They also hit him 13 times, including five QB hits from defensive end Sam Hubbard.

Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill hit Smith on fourth-and-8 from the Cincinnati 9-yard line, forcing Smith into an incompletion to seal the victory with 35 seconds left in regulation. Earlier in the fourth quarter, Smith was sacked by Hubbard on fourth-and-goal from the Bengals’ 6-yard line.

The Bengals’ defense has been criminally underrated the past few seasons under Anarumo. They might not be perfect every week, but they tend to deliver when it matters most.

Calls we liked

Rams lean on running game after neglecting it

The Rams opened the second half with eight consecutive running plays to ignite their 26–9 victory against the Cardinals.

It might have taken coach Sean McVay a while to realize it, but the Rams are at their best when they get second-year running back Kyren Williams involved in the offense. Williams recorded 154 of his 158 total rushing yards in the second half vs. Arizona. With a 9–6 deficit, the Rams entered the locker room with only five rushing yards and ended with 179.

McVay got a little pass-happy against Arizona before the Rams ran roughshod in the second half :: Ashley Landis/AP

McVay, one of the most innovative offensive play-callers in the NFL, might be antsy to unlock his passing game with the return of star wide receiver Cooper Kupp, who missed the first four games of the season with a hamstring injury. That could explain why the Rams often neglect the running game. But better late than never, as the Rams made the right adjustments in Week 6.

Dolphins don’t panic with 14-point deficit

After the Panthers took a 14–0 lead, Tua Tagovailoa turned to coach Mike McDaniel on the sideline and flashed a confident head nod. It was as if he told his coach to let it rip.

McDaniel started the rally by calling a downfield play for Tyreek Hill, which went for 27 yards. That was the first of many productive plays McDaniel dialed up to ignite the rally. The Dolphins ended up cruising 42–21 vs. the Panthers.

Again, the Dolphins showed why they’re the most dangerous offense in the league with McDaniel and Tagovailoa running the show. It also helps having Hill, who’s on pace for more than 2,300 receiving yards, which would shatter Calvin Johnson’s NFL record of 1,964.

Calls we question

Giants’ costly run play before halftime

Giants quarterback Tyrod Taylor took the blame for calling a running play at the Bills’ 1-yard line with no timeouts and 14 seconds left before halftime. But Brian Daboll and his coaching staff also deserve blame for not informing Taylor the only option there was a pass play.

Instead of getting multiple cracks at the end zone, the Giants lost every second on the failed running play. It could have made the difference in the 14–9 loss to the Bills.

Taylor is experienced enough to know not to hand the ball off to Saquon Barkley, who also attempted to take the blame for not scoring on the costly play. But Taylor is technically a backup, and the Giants should have overcommunicated in that situation.

Daboll was clearly upset with Taylor’s audible to a run play before the end of the first half, but it feels like a situation that could have been better prepared for :: Adrian Kraus/AP

The Giants had better clock management in a similar situation at the end of the game, but again came up short on the 1-yard line. Some complained about not getting a pass interference call, but the Giants had their chances to complete the upset in Buffalo.

49ers settle before missed field goal

49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had an opportunity to gain more yards to help his rookie kicker Jake Moody. But Shanahan got overly cautious on the final drive, opting for a spike to avoid losing yards against the Browns’ ferocious defense.

Moody, a 2023 third-round pick, followed by missing a potential game-winning 41-yard field goal, sealing the Browns’ signature 19–17 victory.

Moody certainly has the leg to make that field goal, but he had never been in that type of situation in his short NFL career. Taking a shot in the end zone or gaining a few more yards probably would have been the better move with a rookie kicker, but hindsight is 20/20.

Cowboys’ strange clock management before halftime

Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy might have confused the officials when he decided to take his timeout with three seconds left before halftime instead of with eight seconds.

For a few minutes, the scoreboard read eight seconds, but McCarthy informed the officials he wanted to run it down to ensure Brandon Aubrey’s 32-yard field goal was the final play before halftime. It didn’t cost the Cowboys in the 20–17 win against the Chargers, but it was a strange decision not to go for the touchdown for at least one more play.

McCarthy said after the game he didn’t like the way his offense was playing and wanted to avoid another penalty in that situation. The Cowboys and Chargers combined for 20 penalties Monday night.