Bengals coach Zac Taylor demands ‘urgency’ after back-to-back blowout losses: News roundup
CINCINNATI, Ohio — It has not been a good last two weeks for the Bengals.
Their offense has scored just 13 points over the course of two blowout road losses since Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury, and things don’t get easier as the Lions come to Paycor Stadium on Sunday.
For Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, he was clear about the message he gave his players.
“Urgency is the word I would say,” Taylor emphatically told reporters during his Wednesday press conference when asked how he keeps his team motivated after two tough losses. This wasn’t just coach-speak – Taylor was laying down a challenge to his entire organization.
The coach continued with a brutally honest assessment:
“Has our standard been acceptable on every single play in the last two games? I would say it hasn’t been. So you gotta look within yourself, ‘Is my standard acceptable? Hey, it wasn’t that bad.’ That bad’s not good enough. It’s gotta be great.”
That statement encapsulates Taylor’s entire approach to this moment of adversity. He’s rejecting the notion that “not bad” is sufficient. He’s dismissing the idea that players or coaches can find comfort in merely being adequate. The bar isn’t just being raised – it’s being dramatically elevated to “great,” and Taylor expects everyone to clear it.
This mentality extends to the specifics of the Bengals’ recent performances. When discussing the uncharacteristic penalties that have plagued the team, Taylor didn’t mince words:
“We prided ourselves on being a disciplined team. There’s been exceptions in the past where we haven’t been, but I would say through and through, we’ve been a very disciplined team. And too many penalties on unforced stuff.”
The reference to “unforced stuff” highlights Taylor’s frustration with self-inflicted wounds. These aren’t mistakes forced by superior opponent play – they’re mental errors that Taylor clearly believes are both inexcusable and correctable.
Perhaps most revealing was Taylor’s response when asked if he was worried about team morale:
“Well, I mean, this is part of playing the NFL is dealing with adversity. Every team at some point is going to face some adversity. We’re facing it early in the season. We’ve done this before.”
Taylor isn’t just accepting adversity – he’s embracing it as an evaluation tool. Later in the press conference, he offered this fascinating insight into his coaching philosophy:
“This is why we do it. Again, our back’s against the wall a little bit going in this game off of two losses. That’s perfect. I like to see how everybody responds who lives in fear, who thrives in the adversity. It’s a great opportunity for a coach to really assess what guys are made of, myself included.”
That statement reveals Taylor isn’t just talking about football ability – he’s evaluating character, mental toughness, and the psychological makeup of his team. Who “lives in fear” versus who “thrives in adversity” is a profound distinction that goes beyond X’s and O’s.
For Bengals fans, this hard-nosed approach should inspire confidence. Taylor isn’t panicking or making wholesale changes – he’s challenging his team to return to the standard that’s made them successful in the past.
What to know about the Bengals today
Orlando Brown Jr. Takes Accountability As Offensive Execution Craters Deeper (Bengals on SI)
Orlando Brown Jr. is taking accountability as Cincinnati’s offense falters during a disastrous two-game stretch. Despite being PFF’s fifth-highest graded Bengals offensive player this season, the left tackle acknowledges the line’s poor performance with Jake Browning getting repeatedly hit. “[We need] to do our job, no matter who’s at quarterback,” Brown told reporters including Russ Heltman.
What’s wrong with Cincinnati’s offense? Bengals OC explains what must improve (Cincinnati Enquirer)
The Cincinnati Bengals currently rank dead last in total offense (205.3 yards per game) and rushing (50 yards per game) through four weeks, with coordinator Dan Pitcher acknowledging “nobody could sit here with a straight face and tell you that was close to winning football.” Despite these struggles, Kelsey Conway writes reports that head coach Zac Taylor remains “unwavering” in his support of quarterback Jake Browning as the team faces a difficult stretch against the Lions, Packers and Steelers.
Bengals Beat: It’s Time For Bengals To Question Every Facet Of Their Football Operation – Because It’s Broken (CLNS Cincinnati)
After back-to-back blowout losses totaling 76-13, the Cincinnati Bengals appear broken in every facet of their operation – with or without Joe Burrow. Monday’s 28-3 humiliation in Denver featured disorganized defense, ineffective offense, and visible player frustration. Mike Petraglia notes the team made NFL history for futility, becoming the first in the Super Bowl era with consecutive games of such comprehensive failure, raising questions about coaching, roster construction and the franchise’s cyclical pattern of collapse following success.
Bengals dates to remember
Sunday: Week 5 vs. Lions, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Oct. 12: Week 6 at Packers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Oct. 16: Week 7 vs. Steelers, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Oct. 26: Week 8 vs. Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 2: Week 9 vs. Bears, 1 p.m., CBS
Nov. 4: NFL trade deadline, 4 p.m.
Nov. 16: Week 11 at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
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