The Cincinnati Bengals are 9-6 and for the first time in Zac Taylor’s head coaching career, they’ll have a winning record. The good guys took it to the Baltimore Ravens, winning 41-21 and moving to sole possession of first place in the AFC North.
Taylor spoke to the media following the win and one of the biggest quotes from the press conference was the former Husker mentioning that he wanted his team to develop a killer instinct.
Zac Taylor press conference following Bengals win over Ravens
Zac Taylor on keeping foot on gas in play calling in fourth quarter: “Our guys need to develop a killer instinct.” #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) December 26, 2021
This is very important for a young team like Cincinnati because it’s easy to get comfortable when up by multiple touchdowns. As we’ve seen in the NFL, however, it’s very possible for teams to come back down multiple possessions and the Bengals know that all too well.
It’s good to see Taylor realizing that he needs to make sure his guys are able to keep their foot on the gas pedal and not let up despite winning by multiple scores.
Some fans might not have loved seeing Joe Burrow out there when the game was well out of reach for Baltimore. Was Taylor keeping his quarterback out there because he wanted Burrow to set career-highs?
Taylor answered that question and said that wasn’t it at all. He kept Burrow on the field late in the game because of that killer instinct he mentioned earlier.
Zac Taylor said he wasn’t thinking about the franchise passing record at the end of the game.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) December 26, 2021
“We were not going to allow (a comeback) to happen."
Speaking of records, Taylor was thrilled for his guy Trey Hendrickson, who is now the Bengals’ all-time single-season sack leader. Hendrickson signed last offseason and has 14 sacks in his inaugural season with the Bengals.
Zac Taylor with a huge grin when I asked about Trey Hendrickson's continued dominance this season
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 26, 2021
Some people might question how legit this win really was for Cincy considering all of the Ravens’ injuries and COVID issues. Taylor was offended when someone asked if that made the win any less important.
Zac Taylor almost recoils when asked if the Bengals taking a win over a depleted Ravens team, points out last year's Ravens blowout over Cincinnati on Week 17. Taylor said he didn't see "anybody miniziming their win against us."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 26, 2021
Hey, the man has a point here! Remember how beat-up Cincinnati was last year? No one seemed to care about how legitimate of a win that was for Baltimore when they steamrolled the Bengals on two separate occasions.
It’s hard not to be happy for Taylor following this win. Maybe the stripes don’t go on to win the division or make the playoffs but the guy had just six total wins through his first two seasons. Now he has the Bengals winning games and in a prime position to make the division and the playoffs.
Bravo, Zac Taylor. Bravo.