Quotes from:
ZAC TAYLOR
Head coach
Opening Statement
Guys just believed. This is one we had to have. These guys came with the right attitude. They've had the right attitude. They've stuck together. I think this is an appropriate end to this game. What we've done the last five games, these guys are just -- probably one of the lowest moments we've had, sitting there staring at that record we had with the expectations we had, and the choice the guys made was just stick with the process, man, stick with what we've doing, believe in each other, and everybody gave the most. We won five in a row and put ourselves in a position to cross our fingers tomorrow and cheer like a lot of fans.
What was the message to your team knowing that you guys did as much as you did, now its out of your hands?
Win and in. That was our approach today. That's all we can control. Win the game, as if this was to get us in the playoffs, and then tomorrow is going to be out of our control.
How much belief did you have in the defense after you punted back to them with two minutes to go?
They played well all game long. The first touchdown drive at the end of the game they made a great throw and catch on 3rd and long. They had the two penalties that our guys were competing. I was happy that we were going to compete, so I can live with all that. Our defense played really well all game long and felt confident they could get that done.
Because you said win and in mentality, does it feel like a playoff win then?
Not quite. I know what a playoff win feels like. This was what we needed, though. Our guys came in with the right attitude. Shout out Jay for all the stats of how hard -- five road primetime games, AFC North records in primetime. Jay always supplies it for me, and I give it to the team, so I'm just kind of the middle man in that situation. But tried to give them everything that had been hard, everything that stacks against us because that's what this team responds to, and they responded the right way.
What does it say about the culture that you were able to turn things around?
It says a lot. We work really hard on that. We focus on bringing the right guys that when the times are the toughest they're going to respond the right way. That's coaches, that's players. That's all we saw from this team when it got really tough. So I'm really proud of how this team has stuck together, how everyone has given their best, and we were able to win five in a row, and we'll see what happens
Was there something D.J. Ivey could've done to avoid receiving the penalty?
He can't see, so there's got to be a call -- there's just got to be communication that happens across the board. The way it shook out, there's really nothing he could have done differently there.
Do you feel like you can't win this game without Trey Hendrickson? His performance tonight continues to be great.
Yeah, you put him up there with all of the best pass rushers. He's going to run away as the sack leader tomorrow when the games are over with 17.5. He's just done it every single year since he's been here. All he does is produce, and I've said this many times I'm not shocked by this. He's gonna be in there the day the season ends working out in the weight room and being ready for the next year. That's what he does, so he put himself in a position to where he can show up like he did today. Not surprised the slightest by it, really proud of Trey, the work he puts in practice, every single day, its for moments like these.
A key part of the game late in the first half after the interception, it kind of bounced your way a little bit the way it turned out.
We got a fourth down stop, that was huge. If I remember right, it was all short yardage.Defense responded the right way and we were able to get some points going into halftime. Guess what, it proved to be the difference there, just that chain of events. All season long, these games did not go our way. It was those moments not just at the end of the game but at the end of the second quarter and the end of the third quarter where we didn't do enough to put ourselves in front with commanding the lead. That's one of those moments today that we capitalized on.
How much did you think you relied on that character that you built over the last four weeks?
I mean, it's hard, and you've got to trust the locker room that they're handling everybody the right way. I know it because I see it in the meetings and I see it in practice. There was never a sense of doubt in my mind of how this team would respond at any moment in the season, whatever our record was. 4-8 is the run that stands out the most. But I didn't sit in my office worried at night how is this team going to respond. I knew how they'd respond because I'd seen it, and we all saw the results that had happened during the season. We all knew that it's kind of one of those years where some of those games didn't go our way, and those are things we certainly can control. But I can't state enough of how proud I am of everybody that's involved in this Bengals organization and the way that they've stuck together, and we finished with a five in a row.
What's the biggest difference in the defense tonight versus the first time?
I mean, we're proud of the way those guys played, man. They were tight in coverage. They really competed. They did a good job in the run game. I don't know how many yards they had going into that fourth quarter, but it probably wasn't a lot. These guys just responded and put them in some tough spots where they had to convert some 3rd downs, and our guys stepped up and made some plays, and just really proud of the effort by those guys.
A big game from [Amarius] Mims because Cody [Ford] got hurt, the worst case scenario.
He stepped up, man, and I know he's got a lot of pain. I'm proud of him going in there and delivering and proud of Cody. Cody Ford is not a guy that we talk enough about. This guy has played left guard, he started at left tackle, he started at right tackle. Sometimes he does it with no practice during the week because it's a last-second switch, and we said this week, hey, you're going to start at right tackle against T.J. Watt, one of the best to ever do it, and he told me I'll do whatever you want. If you want me to play quarterback, I'll play quarterback. You've got to have guys like that. Yeah, the Trey Hendricksons and the Joe Burrows and Ja'Marr, they're going to get a lot of credit, but you've got guys like Cody Ford who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done, our literal definition of a Bengal, and he's a guy that's unsung. He's not going to get a lot of praise. But for him to step up and Amarius to step up for those guys he needed to, and all those guys, Cordell, who's been in and out of the lineup and jumps back in there at left guard and Ted who's been so consistent all season long and Orlando been playing through everything he's playing for, holding down the left side, it's a group that you can't praise enough for what they've fought through.
Any update on Jermaine Burton?
No, that was a coach's decision.
Chase Brown, how close was he to playing tonight?
He was hopefully. We didn't really push it until today. He did a couple warmup things and you could tell he couldn't go, and he didn't. He was trying to do everything he could. He wanted so badly to help the team, but a high ankle coming off five, six days, that's tough. Deep down we knew it, but we wanted to give him a chance, but it just wasn't right for him to go.
What do you think this team is capable of if they make the playoffs this season?
They're capable of everything. They're not going to want us in this tournament, I promise you.
How much does it hurt to root for Kansas City?
I'm rooting against the Broncos and rooting against the Dolphins. I think that's how I look at it.
What is this next 12 to 18 hours gonna be like?
We've got to get to work. Coaching staff, we've got to prepare for Buffalo. At least we know who we'd be playing, so we'll get to work, and the players can get their bodies right over the next couple days, and we'll see how it goes.
You've got a guy like Herbert, who's in his eighth game, how impactful has he been?
Yeah, I'm glad you brought him up, Khalil, it's a lot of snaps going from minimal snaps to a ton of snaps, and you saw the way he stepped up at the end of the Denver game. Really proud of what he gave us tonight. He gave us some tough yardage, and it's a tough front to run against. He gave up a lot, and I know his yardage per reception is going to take a big hit tonight, but he was there where he needed to. He got the check-downs. They were pretty tight with a lot of those check-downs so they made that part difficult for us, but proud of the job Khalil did, and in protection I'll watch it all, but felt like he did a good job there, as well, which is big time for us.
What happened to Burrow after his fall?
Not to my knowledge. It looked like a neck thing. So I know they took him in the tent because you've got to go through concussion protocol. Again, I've told you before. I don't ask questions I don't want the answer to, but he went back out there and looked pretty good.
Why wasn't the redzone offense clicking tonight?
No, I can't give you the best answer right now. We didn't score like we needed to. We had to burn -- we got personnel, when T was down and we had a personnel issue where we sometimes just need to get it sorted out. We used some time-outs where I'd prefer not to but we had to just because we wanted to make sure we didn't waste a play, and at that point that was the most important thing.
Could Tee [Higgins] have come back in this game?
I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I don't know. We just had to keep it moving and get our personnel because that became a challenge at that point.
JOE BURROW
Quarterback
To get that win and do your part, how satisfying was that?
Yeah, it was a big win, one that we were excited about, and one where we needed a lot of different people to step up. Now we can sit back and hope for the best.
What happened when you went down there?
Just landed on my head a little bit, and sometimes those situations happen. They scare you a little bit. I was just making sure we were all good.
Is there any thought that you shouldn't be in the game?
No, I mean, after the first 15 seconds of being down, I realized I was all good. It was nothing that was going to keep me out of the game at that point.
When you were 4-8 earlier in the season, are you happy with the response that you got?
I am. I am. I think we have had our great players playing great. For the most part they have all year. But we've had some young guys step up in spots, and that's been -- they've been showing a lot of promise. So that's exciting to have some of those guys step up, step up like that, and guys that we can count on.
You guys went right down the field on the first drive. Did they make adjustments after that?
Yeah, they did. They did a good job. That front is really good. So that was a game where you've got to catch it and get it out, get it to your guys and let them go make plays. Our execution in the red zone wasn't good enough. That's kind of the story of the game. I'm not sure how many field goals we kicked, three or four, something like that. So if we convert a couple of those into touchdowns, it's a different game. Would like to have finished that game on offense and punched those into the end zone, but our defense stepped up and picked up the slack.
On what's been different for them the last five games:
Well, our defensive young guys and guys that have played great in the past have started playing well. Then Trey Hendrickson after tonight, I don't know who else is going to win Defensive Player of the Year other than him. He was incredible tonight. Anytime that he didn't have chip help, he was getting to the quarterback.
On what this team is capable of in the playoffs:
We knew the talent that we have. We've been in those spots before. I know that if we get in, we can make some noise with the players and coaches that we have in this building. We've just got to hope for some help tomorrow and sit back and watch it.
What are these next 24 hours going to be like? Are you going to start on Buffalo or just see what happens?
I'll go in tomorrow and do my normal postgame routine. I'll lift and get my body right and then go back and watch the games with the guys and see where we're at.
On what it will be like watching tomorrow's games knowing it's out of their control:
It's not ideal, but we've put ourselves in this position. It'll be relaxing. We've won the last five. We won today, put ourselves in a spot to potentially get in with some help. The odds are long, but we've got a shot.
What do you think that's going to feel like tomorrow if you don't get into the playoffs? Anytime you don't make the playoffs, it's a failure. That's what you're aiming for every year. That's why you work so hard is to be at your best in the end. These last five weeks we have been. We just weren't able to find an extra win there early in the season that would put us in a better spot.
Do you think about having to watch for help, thinking back on games in September? Do you find yourself going back like gosh, any one of those --
Yeah, unfortunately you do, just like with anything that doesn't go your way in anybody's life, whether it's football or anything. You look back on the decisions that you made that could be different and played out differently. That's hindsight. Everybody has that. We definitely had winnable games that we didn't win and put ourselves in this position.
On if anything stands out that he's been thinking back on from this season:
I wouldn't say anything specifically.
Is it going to be weird rooting for another team tomorrow?
I wouldn't say weird. We know the situation. I don't know how many guys are playing for them. Hopefully some. But we'll see.
On what he hopes the organization will prioritize in the offseason:
Those conversations will be had and that's some thinking that we all have to do going into the off-season about what we think is best for our team and our organization. We'll get to that after tomorrow and see where we stand, then take some time to correctly think about that.
On his conversation with Head Coach Zac Taylor after the game:
I don't know. He just said good job. That was basically about it.
How would you describe Zac Taylor? How has your relationship developed this year?
He's been the same through it all, whether we win or we lose. He's always himself. I appreciate that about him. Our relationship is as good as it's been. We've had some tough conversations. We've had good conversations and everything in between. That's what playing football in the NFL is all about is having conversations to try to improve your team, yourself and everything. It's been positive.
Do you think the culture met the challenge tonight and for the last month?
For the last five games we have, yeah. Five in a row to finish it off is always positive. Might be too little, too late, but we'll find out tomorrow.
WR Ja'Marr Chase leads the Triple Crown race in all three categories. Can you talk about what that was like and your satisfaction in helping them put their best foot forward?
It's an exciting thing to be a part of. He [Ja'Marr Chase] deserves it all. He works really hard for it. He's obviously a great player, great person. To etch his name in history like that is really special, and I'm excited to be a part of it. I know everybody else is, too.
Just like the offensive line takes pride in blocking, how would you say the quarterback takes pride in being part of the wide receivers?
I take pride in the fact that everybody eats in this offense. Obviously, No. 1 [Ja'Marr Chase] is going to get his touches because our offense runs through him. He's our best player, so we're going to get him the ball. But we have so many other weapons that we feel confident in, and whatever the look the defense gives us, the ball can go to so many different places. I take a lot of pride in that.
What does this give you for '25 no matter what happens tomorrow? What kind of tone have you set for '25?
It's tough to say. For the next 24 hours probably, then if we don't get in, then after that you don't really think about the last game, you think about the entirety of the season.
On if he envisioned this season going the way it has:
I thought I'd have my best year. I think I did. I don't think the year after a ligament injury like that is always better. I threw it well this year. I still think I can throw it way better. Early in the season, you're still getting a feel for how that wrist is feeling. You're breaking up scar tissue. You're doing a lot of different things to help it, and it gets better as the season goes. So I expect next year to be better. That's how it was with my knee. That's how ligament injuries typically go. I'm expecting to grind this off-season and take a jump next year.
On TE Mike Gesicki:
Yeah, it was like a catch for three yards or something, yeah. That was easy.
What kind of year has TE Mike Gesicki had?
I think he had great for us. That's something that we haven't really had since I've been here is a guy that when everybody is so focused on all of our receivers, doubling them, clouding them, having specific plans, now you've got to worry about that guy matched up on a safety or linebacker, and that guy was so valuable for us all year and a guy that in my opinion we need to bring back.
