Since the firing of Ken Zampese and the promotion of Bill Lazor as the Bengals offensive coordinator, quarterback Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals passing offense have regained most of their past qualities. Everything isn’t fixed, but the passing game production has returned.

Andy Dalton in 2 games since Bill Lazor became #Bengals offensive coordinator: 46-for-57, 498 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT, passer rating = 138.1 — Dan Hoard (@Dan_Hoard) October 2, 2017

While Dalton is still struggling with his internal clock, it has been mitigated by reading the defense better presnap. For an example, let’s go back to the first preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Dalton intercepted on third down in RZ pic.twitter.com/LoscDWiHeV — Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) August 12, 2017

This is a very common play for the Bengals once they reach the end zone. They like to get A.J. Green into the slot to run a corner route. They also have the tight end on the other side usually running a corner route or sitting down against zone coverage.

On this play in preseason, Dalton doesn’t recognize the blitz and the potential to get the ball to Green with a safety covering him.

Fast forward to Week 4 with Lazor as the offensive coordinator, and we see the same play again, but this time, Dalton reads the defense better presnap.

Now, the help from Lazor comes in the form of some spacing to the right side (on this particular play) and more motion presnap (as we saw in Green Bay last week also).

Since Week 3, I’ve seen a handful of examples of Dalton and the Bengals offense fixing the exact same plays that hurt them earlier this season and last year. With clearer and easier reads presnap, Dalton’s pocket issues can be hidden, and we’ve seen this before with past coordinators.