And the Blame Game Begins for the Cincinnati Bengals
Just when it seemed like the Cincinnati Bengals were finally finding their rhythm, Sunday’s game proved otherwise. Hosting the struggling New York Jets, the Bengals somehow managed to squander a solid fourth-quarter lead, falling 39-38 in stunning fashion.
To the New York Jets. The winless New York Jets.
After the loss, head coach Zac Taylor described the defeat as “humbling” and called his team’s performance “unacceptable.” He expressed frustration over the Bengals’ inability to finish off the game when they had multiple chances to do so.
“We never got a chance to break that game open like we felt we were capable of,” Taylor admitted.
Blowing a 14-point fourth-quarter lead is never a good look. Up 38-24 with just over 10 minutes left, Cincinnati appeared to have the win locked up. The Jets, after all, hadn’t managed a single victory all season.
But the Bengals’ defense once again fell apart, showing exactly why it’s considered one of the league’s worst.
“I think someone needs to step up and lead the group,” Taylor said when discussing his defense. “That’s what I’m waiting to see — someone take accountability and get things headed in the right direction.”
That comment could easily be interpreted as a veiled criticism of defensive coordinator Al Golden — though Taylor didn’t name names.
Zac Taylor Starts the Finger-Pointing
This is where things could start to unravel fast.
Entering the matchup, Cincinnati ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense — ahead of only the Dallas Cowboys. After this weekend’s results, both teams might retain their spots near the bottom.
When asked who he hoped would emerge as a defensive leader, Taylor declined to specify, saying only, “I’m not going to sit here and name names.”
While diplomatic, the remark made it clear that certain players — or coaches — are under scrutiny.
Offensive Frustrations Mount as Well
Scoring 38 points should almost always guarantee a win in the NFL, and Cincinnati’s offense largely did its job. Still, there was a sense among players that they could have done more to close the door on the Jets.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who tallied 12 catches for 91 yards, voiced that sentiment after the game. When asked if he thought the team let another lead slip away, he responded pointedly:
“That’s a Zac question. Got to ask Zac that.”
That’s not a great sign. At 3-5, with a shaky defense and no starting quarterback, things are already rough for Cincinnati. But the emerging tension between players and coaches could make matters much worse. One thing is certain — the calls for Zac Taylor’s job are only going to get louder.
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