How the Cincinnati Bengals defense is working to generate more turnovers

After finishing the last two seasons ranked in the bottom half of the National Football League in turnovers, Lou Anarumo knew he needed to change some things on his defense to get it to perform at a higher level.

The Cincinnati Bengals ranked No. 26 in total yards allowed per game (389.2) and No. 22 (26.5) in points allowed per game in 2020.

With the offensive talent the team possesses, it’s clear the recipe for success is to keep the ball in the hands of the skill players. The best way to ensure that happens is for the defense to create more turnovers to get the offense back on the field.

“If you get turnovers and eliminate explosive plays in the pass game and the run game, you’re going to be successful,” Anarumo said.

In hopes to place a greater emphasis on this area, Anarumo said while the team is continuing to use familiar drills, reps are significantly increased. The Bengals recorded 17 total takeaways in 2020 ranking them 25th in the NFL, which was three spots better than Cincinnati's 28th position in 2019. 

Increased reps at practice is just one part it, though. There’s also an element of making sure the roster features players who have a knack for making plays on the ball. Head coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin acknowledged they needed more of those based on a few of the acquisitions they made in free agency. Cornerback Mike Hilton recorded four takeaways last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson was one of the league’s best at sacking opposing quarterbacks with 13.5 on the year. The more opportunities a defensive player can get his hands on a quarterback, there’s a greater chance the ball will come out.

That’s what Anarumo is harping daily and it’s showed in practice consistently.

“We ramped it up even more this year,” Anarumo said. “The guys have really followed through in practice and we’ve been causing turnovers in practice and as you saw the other night we came through. We’re doing circuits with that stuff all the time. We say you can’t have strips if you don’t have strip attempts, so we’re always on guys trying to get the ball.”

To put in perspective why this area proves to be the ultimate litmus test for a defense in the NFL, all but one team in the top-5 in defensive takeaways made the playoffs in 2020: Miami (29 takeaways, missed postseason with 10-6 record), Pittsburgh (27), Buffalo (26), New Orleans (26) and Indianapolis (25).

It is clear based off the performance of Hendrickson and Kyler Frazier, who both recorded an interception in the Bengals’ first preseason game, the message is resonating with the players. Even veteran cornerback Trae Waynes said it was exciting to see his teammates succeed in an area they’ve been focused on.

Waynes, who missed the entire 2020 season with a pectoral injury, is another player the Bengals are counting on to help create turnovers. The veteran cornerback recorded two forced fumbles in the 2019 season and has seven career interceptions. After a year of not only being sidelined but spending so much time away from his teammates due to COVID-19 protocols, Waynes is feeling more comfortable each day.

“We’re really emphasizing turnovers, so whether that’s through interceptions (or) forced fumbles, trying to get our hands on the ball as much as possible,” Waynes said. “I think we’re doing a good job taking strides to get there. We’re definitely working every day.”

Free safety Jessie Bates led the Bengals with three interceptions last year. If the Bengals can get a similar level of production from Hendrickson and Hilton, coupled with what Bates has shown he can do, the defense has potential to be much better across the board.