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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Despite facing yet another tough defeat in a season riddled with close losses, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor remains steadfast in his belief that his team still has a chance to reach the playoffs. The Bengals (4-7) are finding it challenging to maintain optimism after suffering a harsh setback against the Los Angeles Chargers.
In a heartbreaking 34-27 loss, Cincinnati battled back from a 21-point deficit in the second half. However, they ultimately fell short, allowing the Chargers to execute a spectacular 84-yard touchdown drive in the final minute of the game. With six losses this season coming by seven points or fewer—two of which came consecutively—it’s understandable that both the team and its supporters are losing hope.
Taylor voiced his frustration regarding the team’s struggles, stating how difficult it is to witness the team’s painful endings after each game. “This is sick, the way that these games are ending, and the way that we feel coming off the field every week,” he expressed. “What I keep telling the team is, ‘At some point, this has got to help us.’ We need to find momentum and put ourselves in a position to reflect back positively. While we don’t want losses to be a silver lining, they must contribute to our growth somehow.”
Currently, the Bengals trail the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers (8-2) by 4.5 games, and nine AFC teams hold better records than Cincinnati as they head into their bye week. Nonetheless, Taylor is optimistic about the potential for a turnaround, asserting that the Bengals have played commendably this season.
When questioned about his coach’s assurances, quarterback Joe Burrow provided a more measured response, indicating, “Hope so.” Burrow later acknowledged the season’s immense frustration, declaring, “Pretty self-explanatory.” It’s apparent that the passion and frustration within the Bengals’ roster are palpable, raising questions about potential discord building within the team.
Despite having an impressive game with seven receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns—marking his fourth consecutive season over 1,000 yards—Ja’Marr Chase provided an ambiguous response to the question of how the team could improve its late-game execution. “I don’t know. Ask Zac. It’s not my job to call plays,” Chase remarked.
Defensive standout Trey Hendrickson exhibited visible frustrations during the game, expressing his anger towards a no-call directed at Taylor. “Everyone keeps trying to calm me down. It’s the NFL, and you play with intensity. I appreciate Zac as a coach; he has supported me personally,” Hendrickson noted, although he admitted the defense needed improvements after allowing 272 yards in the first half.
Opening the season with a 1-4 record, the Bengals experienced four losses by a mere 15 points total. A brief resurgence followed, featuring a 3-1 record, but the Bengals squandered a 14-point lead against Baltimore the prior week, ultimately losing 35-34 due to a failed two-point conversion attempt.
The defeat to Los Angeles nullified another comeback effort led by Burrow, who impressed with 214 passing yards during a thrilling stretch in the second half. The Bengals did score three touchdowns on those drives, but kicker Evan McPherson missed two crucial field goals, leaving him with a disappointing 6 of 10 beyond 39 yards this season.
Taylor defended McPherson amid the team’s struggles, emphasizing that drastic changes would not be beneficial for the team’s trajectory. “Every game boils down to a single play, so it wouldn’t make sense to panic and implement major changes just because our record is 4-7,” he reinforced. “This isn’t what our team is about. We trust the process, and we will not let panic dictate our decisions.”
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