ZAC TAYLOR

Head coach

What do you think told the story of how you were able to win today?

"I thought our defense gave us our chance. Obviously the kickoff return team set the tone right from the get-go which was great to get that lead. Then the defense really fought them off until that last drive and obviously giving up some points. But they gave us a chance to get sorted out on offense a little bit and find the two drives where we could get points on the board. It's a good football team. They make things hard. Their defense is one of the best in the league. It's unfortunate the way our defense allowed them to play us in the second half and break that dam open on offense again."

What were the biggest things you needed to sort through offensively?

"[The Browns] have a lot of personnel things you have to be worried about and just get some momentum. That's always a tough defense when you go a couple drives and you're not getting momentum; they're getting a lot of momentum. They feed off of that. Obviously we're similar on offense if we can get some momentum going. It's just a little bit of this; little bit of that. There's nothing you can put your finger on that's specific. A couple times we were just one block away in the run game. We had some runs that were maybe zero, one, two, or just one block away. We saw last week where all of a sudden that can just break free. We got a little bit of that, but just not enough."

How big was it to stop them on 4th and 2 to start the second half and then go back and score a touchdown?

"It was huge. It was appropriate for our defense to get that first opportunity in the second half to really set the tone for the team because they had done such a great job in the first half for us. So to get that turnover on downs and allow the offense to respond. It was just good complimentary football there to start the half."

Was it a positive sign that Bengals OT Orlando Brown, Jr. was able to be on the sideline and walk off on his own?

"Yeah, we'll see. We'll get more information on that, but I certainly would say it's more towards the positive side that he was able to get out there."

How did you counter his loss?

"I thought (Bengals OT) Cody (Ford) did a good job and stepped in. Other guys rallied around as well. (Cleveland) moved (Browns DE Myles) Garrett around a little bit, but I thought Cody did a good job stepping up to the challenge. Again we tried to help where we could, but obviously that's a big loss and a tough challenge."

Is there any update on Bengals S Geno Stone?

"Not yet. It is lower leg. Again I don't want to say anything. It's certainly not as bad as we initially thought it was going to be, so there's a positive there. We'll get more information tomorrow."

How do you think your team responded to Browns QB Deshaun Watson going down and Browns QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson coming in?

"We'd like to get a stop there. They went in there and got the points on the board before the half, but I thought other than that we did a good job. We faced three quarterbacks; they all have their different strengths and weaknesses. I thought our defense obviously over the course of the day played well."

What did you see from Bengals QB Joe Burrow on the two touchdown passes?

"Great timing. Great anticipation. The one was a conversion to (Bengals WR) Ja'Marr (Chase) that he got in the air and gave Ja'Marr a chance to adjust to it and he did that. They've had a lot of reps on that. So that obviously was a huge one to break it open for us a little bit. Then got the right coverage on the shot to (Bengals WR) Tee (Higgins). Joe did a great job with the ball placement and threw it.

Tee's caught that ball in games, I don't know, fifty times, and had similar reactions like that. So again, two guys in the receiver room and our quarterback that provided huge sparks for us at the right moment and guys we can always count on."

You have had a stretch of 30-point games, but what does it mean to win games like you have the last couple weeks?

"That's what it's like in this division. We'll just take them how we can get them. Obviously we want to score a lot of points, and there's some things that we can continue to improve on to do that. It's just about playing good complimentary football and I thought in the second half we did a good job of that. We found a way to win and that's all that matters coming out of here."

How important is getting a win on the road for the momentum this team is starting to build?

"It's big. Last year obviously wasn't good enough. The start [of] 0-1 this year to then get back even. It's a positive thing for us. Quite frankly we haven't won here. We had one feeling standing here at this podium and this locker room, so it's nice to change that. There's a lot of positive things happening right now in the locker room. It's 'what have you done for me lately,' so we have to turn around next week, have another great week, and get ready for Philly."

You didn't set out to be 3-4, but does it feel like a workable spot to be in?

"Just take it one game at a time. We can't spend too much time reflecting on the past. All we can do is like we keep telling our guys – win one at a time. We got the Giants; we got these guys; now next week is going to be a big one too."

What does it say that you guys have been able to grind it out these past two weeks?

"It tells you you're a good football team. When you can find different ways, different units to lean on at different times. Different guys have stepped up big time. (Bengals S) Geno (Stone) gets his first pick. (Bengals DT) Sheldon (Rankins) gets his first sack. (Bengals DE) Sam (Hubbard) gets his first pick. (Bengals PR) Charlie (Jones) with the big kickoff return. There were a lot of guys that stood out in this game. It's good."

Was there a theme that you saw in the first half that was leading to some of the issues you were having on third down?

"Again I give a lot of credit to their defense. They're good coverage; they're good upfront. They have a great coordinator. They create some challenges and sometimes you just have to take a deep breath and find a way to get your rhythm. It's good when our defense can hold down the fort and give us a chance to do that."

You're winless at home. Are you worried going home for a game?

"Philly is all that we'll be concerned about next week."

Is it nice to be able to run some routine plays that you've run a lot and you know what you're going to get?

"There is some window dressing on some of the plays we had, but the most part I would say it's things we've repped a lot. Just finding different ways to get to it. They're always open to adjustments on the sidelines if we have to do that as the game goes. When you have really smart players - and we have really smart receivers on this team – you can do a lot of everything as the game unfolds. I thought they do a really good job adjusting."

Did you make any adjustments to the run game? Ja'Marr Chase had a big play early in the second half.

"There were a couple things we started to lean on a little bit more, just scheme-wise. That's just how it's going to be sometimes. It might take two or three, but then you find the right one, you catch the right look and you pop it, and it creates a lot of momentum for you. I thought (Ja'Marr) Chase created a lot of momentum on that and then (Bengals HB) Zack Moss created with the chip down created a lot of momentum on the other side. Both backs really did an excellent job stepping up there. I thought the linemen gave us plenty of enough to win. There will be some sacks on their resume, but ultimately I thought they gave us a performance that we could lean on to win a game like this."

JOE BURROW

Quarterback

How did it feel to get a win in Cleveland?

"Yeah, it's a big win. Defense stepped up today. We made some plays when we needed to, so a big win for the Bengals."

Was it surprising to get into a rhythm earlier in the game?

"Not surprising, that's just a really, really good defense. The best one we have played all year. Their secondary is great. Their rush is great. Their linebackers play fast and physical. We know it's going to be that kind of a game. Obviously, we would have liked to move the ball a little better in the first half, but we made plays when we needed to."

Do you get worried about the offense not getting things going in a game?

"Well, we scored over 30 and we lost, now we've won two-in-row. No, I'm not concerned about that."

Do you think you are playing more complimentary football?

"Yeah, I would say that. Our defense really stepped up the last two weeks. Big special teams touchdown today, so it's nice to see that other units are picking up the slack where others aren't. And that's what football is all about. So we found ways to win the last two weeks."

What happened during the last two touchdowns in the second half?

"We made plays. Guys making plays. We had a big run to start off the first one. Then (WR) Ja'Marr (Chase) made a big time play, just catching a go-ball in the red zone, and then T (WR Tee Higgins) catching one on third down and breaking a tackle and going, making a play. That's what you have to do against these guys that make it tough. Now their secondary is going to be in phase, so you just go and make contested catches, break tackles and make plays - that's what we did in the third quarter."

Did you chip more when LT Orlando Brown Jr. went out?

"Whenever you got 95 (DE Myles Garrett) over there, you're going to chip no matter who you have at left tackle. I thought (LT) Cody (Ford) did really well when he went in there."

How many times have you practiced that play where you threw a touchdown pass to WR Ja'Marr Chase on?

"We've done go-balls for years, so we were on the same page. That was a big-time play by him."

How important was it to have big splash plays on the passing and running game to keep the defense honest?

"That was big, that was big. We had one in the first half, ended up getting called back, so that slowed that drive down, but it was nice to break one. That's what the run game did. It's going to be tough against these guys, but you got to stick with it, because their rush is so good, then you'll have a couple like that that will just pop. So that was a big win."

How important was it to win a divisional game on the road?

"Yeah, big win. Big win. It's just one. We're 3-4 now, so we have to come back next week and get another one."

How big was it to win without all three units clicking on all three cylinders?

"It's just about finding ways to win. Today we did."

What's it say about the team winning grind-it-out type games?

"That's what you have to do. Great teams find ways to win. I think we have a chance to be a great team. We're not that yet, but there's a lot of season left to play. So come back, learn from today and come back on Wednesday."

Is this the most optimistic you've felt about this team this season?

"I would say I'm pretty optimistic on how our team is playing right now. The last two weeks have been big for our defense, getting healthy, making plays, causing turnovers, that's what our defense is all about. Rushing the passer, so that was big."

What happened when you waited on the check down to RB Zack Moss?

"Yeah, those guys have been big in those spots. Zack continues to do that. I feel confident in his ability to break a tackle and get you a couple more, keep you on track. He played well today."

In the series after DE Sam Hubbard's interception, were you thinking you were in field goal range?

"I mean it was a five-man box, two safeties high, looked like they were going to double Ja'Marr. Needed only a couple yards to get into field goal range there. We'll talk about that with coaches and see what maybe would have been better to get three, but you know I felt good about that."

Why couldn't the offense operate earlier in the game like you are capable of?

"We just didn't make any plays, that you have to do against these guys. They're going to be in phase, they're going to stop the run, they're going to rush the passer, and their secondary is going to be all around the ball. There's going to be some 50-50 balls. They're going to grab you and hold you. They're going to be physical at the top of the route. Got to be accurate with the ball, and we just didn't do that in the first half and the second half we did."

What's the biggest difference between the offense from how you started and now?

"I'm not sure. I'm not sure there is. We played two really good defenses back-to-back weeks, good fronts, good secondary, good coaching, and we found ways to win. Everybody's talking about how good our offense was for the first four weeks, whatever it was, and we were 1-3. That's obviously not ideal. I'd rather have everyone talk about how we didn't execute on offense and win two games in a row, than the other way around."

How does it feel to win a typical AFC North game?

"Just got to find a way to win in this league. It's not always going to be pretty. We did today."

What did you feel when you saw QB Deshaun Watson, a fellow quarterback, injured?

"I don't want to see anyone go down, It's always tough. We know everybody's out there putting their bodies on the line for their families, for themselves, for the fans. So whenever you see somebody go down, it's tough. Whether it's your guy, the other guy, quarterback, D-line. It doesn't matter. It's always tough."

TREY HENDRICKSON

Defensive End

Another two sack game, I think it's 10, two sack games since you've joined the Cincinnati Bengals. What about it?

"All glory to my lord and savior Jesus Christ. He's the wind in my sails, and he keeps me pressing, keeps me relentless. Very blessed to rush with an elite group of guys. Sam Hubbard, B.J. Hill, Sheldon Rankins, even Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy. And the back end, you can't say enough about the coverage we had back there. It's rush and coverage together. Really blessed to have another two sack game. To build on, there's a lot we need to correct as a defense moving forward."

When you see an injury like that [Browns QB Deshaun Watson] what goes through your mind?

"Well it's a physical game and we all know what we signed up for. Pray for him and his family as he goes through this adversity. He's going to bounce back. He's a great competitor, a great quarterback, and I look forward to seeing him taking the field again"

SAM HUBBARD

Defensive End

Two sacks out of Trey, and you pick one off. The "H men" with two quarterback sacks, a pick, a forced fumble. That's getting it done. You guys were statsheet stuffers man, what about it?

"It's fun to take the field with these guys every week. This man right here motivates me, keeps me accountable. Never let's me come in and be lazy. It's a great group of guys. We faced some adversity early on and now we're rising to the challenge."

You get the first division win, first conference win, in Cleveland. How big is that?

"This is a tough place to win. We haven't historically won here, so to get this win is really big. Was on all of our minds, for some reason we just couldn't get the win up here. To have that accomplished is huge for us going forward for the division, and to keep going where we want to go."

MIKE HILTON

Defensive Back

Mike, what does it mean to win games the way you have the past couple of weeks, kinda gritty, hanging in there, making stops when you need to make stops, what does it mean to win like that?

"It shows the type of team we are. We can win high scoring games, we can win slug it out games. We play as well as we did these past two games…it's a huge confidence boost for us."

How important was it to come here and win?

"It means a lot. Over my four years here, we haven't beat them here in Cleveland. For us to do that, get an AFC North win. It's a big step."

Do you feel like defensively, you guys are coming along in a way that you feel confident about where you guys are going as a group?

"You tell me. Because, for the first five weeks, I'm pretty sure everybody's idea was 'this defense can't get it together.' We've been playing well the last two weeks. I like the direction we're headed but we still gotta get better"

You're fired up right now, it's pretty clear. What's going through your mind right now?

"Keep on stacking. A lot of people outside this locker room already counted us out. We're not where we wanna be, but we're building. And we know we just gotta keep getting better and playing good football"

TEE HIGGINS

Wide Receiver

It was a big game for you today and you were able to find the endzone. Talk about how you were able to make those big plays.

"First off, I want to start out by saying I left something out there. I had a couple passes come my way, and I didn't make the play. But other than those plays, the defense is good in Cleveland and it was a hard fought battle the whole game. They did not make it easy at all. Obviously there is a lot of stuff we need to correct and I cannot wait to get better in film on Monday."

What changed between the first and second half because you guys were able to score two touchdowns in the second half of the game?

"We just wanted to come out and try and dominate the half. Obviously we left a lot out there in the first half, and we wanted to come out in the second half and dominate. I think we still left a little bit more out there than we wanted to, but we'll look at it tomorrow, correct it, and try to get another win next week."

You are now 3-4 with a win in the AFC North. Does this win put the Bengals back on track?

"It feels good to win, but we have to keep on stacking them. Obviously the division win is nice, but we are 3-4. So we just have to keep the momentum up and keep stacking these wins later on into the season."

CHARLIE JONES

Wide Receiver

The game began with a 100 yard kick return touchdown by you. Describe that one because it definitely started this game out hot. Also to note, Drew Sample does not usually play that spot, but it seems he played it well.

"First and foremost, God is good. We put Drew (Sample) out there, and it could not have been a better block play. He made the hole huge and really made the return easy for me. Everybody did their job in front of me and it was awesome. It was a great call by Darrin (Simmons) and it is such a good feeling to be back in the endzone."

Was that exactly how that return was drawn up or was there some creativity on that play?

"I mean it was exactly how we drew it up by Darrin (Simmons). It was a middle return and if I got through the defense and take it to the back right, it was exactly how he told me it was going to be and everyone did their job."

The Bengals did not score a touchdown in Cleveland last year. What kind of lift do you think it gave the team to have a 7-0 lead 12 seconds into the game?

"I think it was something we definitely talked about coming into the game. We needed a spark right away. We know Cleveland gets loud and we know the fans were going to come out and bring a lot of energy. We talked as a special teams unit about us being the spark. We knew we would only have a few plays, but we knew we needed to capitalize on those few plays we had, and that is exactly what we did."

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