EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCINCINNATI -- Even if the exact message was muffled, the intensity from Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor certainly wasn't.In the immediate aftermath of the team's second straight loss, a 22-17 home defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Taylor's voice could be heard bellowing through the wall that separates the locker room and the media room where news conferences are conducted. Beyond the volume, Taylor's remarks were among the longest following a home loss in recent memory.When the eighth-year coach left the locker room to speak to the reporters, Taylor characterized it as encouragement to a team that will need to fight through one of the season's most important stretches.For the second straight year, the Bengals are back to .500 after Week 4 following two wins to open the season. But the stakes are a bit higher this year.Breaking a three-year playoff drought, if not at least winning a game or two in mid-January, will be needed to eliminate the mounting pressure on Taylor and the franchise. After Sunday's loss, the Bengals are now tasked with rebuilding momentum and making this season feel promising again."We had our opportunities in the last two weeks, but this isn't Armageddon or anything," quarterback Joe Burrow said after the game. "We're still in a great spot (and) feel really good about our team."If anything, the comments show Taylor's postgame message resonated throughout the locker room following a comeback attempt that fell 12 yards short. The Bengals trailed 22-10 with 6:35 left in the fourth quarter before Burrow and the Bengals made a late push at an improbable victory.After a touchdown and a defensive stop, the Bengals made it all the way into Jacksonville's red zone before running back Chase Brown was stopped on the 12-yard line on a fourth-down catch, one yard shy of a new set of downs to keep the drive alive.And instead of a win that could have positioned the Bengals well, Cincinnati was left talking about familiar woes.According to Next Gen Stats, Cincinnati missed 12 tackles on defense. Jacksonville had six. The Jaguars also had 143 yards after the catch. Both issues plagued the Bengals in 2025."They hit some checkdowns; and checkdowns, they're not supposed to convert a (third down)," linebacker Barrett Carter said.Offensively, the lack of a run game was an issue against Jacksonville. The Bengals had 15 carries for 23 yards. Burrow had 58 dropbacks, tied for the fourth-most in his career, according to ESPN Research. And in the quarterback's mind, that number could have been higher.His response to the idea of having more balanced play calls?"Let's throw it more," Burrow said.There is one other trend that is now becoming more noticeable. Since the start of the 2024 season, Burrow now leads the NFL in most turnovers in the fourth quarter or overtime, according to ESPN Research.On Sunday, Burrow had an interception deep in Jacksonville's territory on a drive that could have given the Bengals a fourth-quarter lead. Burrow was pressured and didn't see Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun, who intercepted the ball while in zone coverage.Burrow came close to making amends with the late-game flourish. Instead, Taylor was left answering questions about his quarterback amid the recent miscues."In no way, shape or form am I concerned about that," said Taylor, who added that he would "go to battle" with Burrow every day with how he played on Sunday.That's a good mentality to have. Because while it isn't quite Armageddon, the Bengals are now fighting to show their preseason beliefs and early season highs weren't an aberration."We're very confident," Burrow said. "We're 2-2, but nobody wins a championship after Week 4."
