- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,266,277
- Reaction score
- 59
It has been 239 days since the Cincinnati Bengals were mathematically eliminated from the NFL playoffs last season. Following a 24-0 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the slim hopes that Cincinnati could make the unlikely run to the postseason were buried.
Each day since, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says there has been a black cloud following him wherever he goes. Whether in the facility or out of it, the fact that his team hasn’t made the playoffs in three years lingers.
Ever since the Bengals went to the Super Bowl in 2021, Taylor has been fighting to get back. Each time Cincinnati has made the playoffs with Joe Burrow at quarterback, they’ve at least made it to the AFC Championship Game. Given that fact, the reality of going over 1,000 days without a playoff appearance is purely shocking.
Taylor has been hit with roadblocks over and over again, whether it’s injuries to Burrow, Tee Higgins or others, or public contract disputes with multiple of his best players, including one that got ugly with Trey Hendrickson. Amid all of the losing, which has led to a 24-27 record over the last three seasons, many have called for Taylor’s job. The idea that this head coach takes a roster with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and still can’t even get to the postseason pushes many fans to call for change.
It didn’t matter what the Bengals did this past offseason; the pressure to make the playoffs would have still been there. An MVP-caliber quarterback and wide receiver put you in a position for victory. Nevertheless, the Bengals front office made moves to make it more likely for Cincinnati to make the playoffs and, as a consequence, also increased the pressure. If Cincinnati misses the playoffs in 2026, that black cloud will probably double in size and could follow Taylor into unemployment.
The thing that’s kept the Bengals out of the playoffs, taking precedence over the injuries and contract situations, is the defense. Luckily for Taylor, the Bengals brought in Dexter Lawrence, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe in the offseason. Lawrence has looked like one of the most impactful defensive players in the league based on training camp hype, which we all know is a very valuable currency this time of the year.
Cincinnati has all its chips in the middle of the table. Week 1 can’t come soon enough for many fans.
Continue reading...
Each day since, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor says there has been a black cloud following him wherever he goes. Whether in the facility or out of it, the fact that his team hasn’t made the playoffs in three years lingers.
Ever since the Bengals went to the Super Bowl in 2021, Taylor has been fighting to get back. Each time Cincinnati has made the playoffs with Joe Burrow at quarterback, they’ve at least made it to the AFC Championship Game. Given that fact, the reality of going over 1,000 days without a playoff appearance is purely shocking.
Taylor has been hit with roadblocks over and over again, whether it’s injuries to Burrow, Tee Higgins or others, or public contract disputes with multiple of his best players, including one that got ugly with Trey Hendrickson. Amid all of the losing, which has led to a 24-27 record over the last three seasons, many have called for Taylor’s job. The idea that this head coach takes a roster with Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and still can’t even get to the postseason pushes many fans to call for change.
It didn’t matter what the Bengals did this past offseason; the pressure to make the playoffs would have still been there. An MVP-caliber quarterback and wide receiver put you in a position for victory. Nevertheless, the Bengals front office made moves to make it more likely for Cincinnati to make the playoffs and, as a consequence, also increased the pressure. If Cincinnati misses the playoffs in 2026, that black cloud will probably double in size and could follow Taylor into unemployment.
The thing that’s kept the Bengals out of the playoffs, taking precedence over the injuries and contract situations, is the defense. Luckily for Taylor, the Bengals brought in Dexter Lawrence, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe in the offseason. Lawrence has looked like one of the most impactful defensive players in the league based on training camp hype, which we all know is a very valuable currency this time of the year.
Cincinnati has all its chips in the middle of the table. Week 1 can’t come soon enough for many fans.
Continue reading...
