To say things are rough for the Cincinnati Bengals would be an understatement.
Joe Burrow has been sacked a ton of times (13 to be exact), the offense has yet to complete a pass over 24 yards and the 0-2 mark is historically a sign that playoffs are not going to happen.
So yes, the performance from the star quarterback — and especially head coach Zac Taylor — has garnered some national attention on a rather large scale.
Let’s look at some of the most notable reactions to the slow start for the Bengals, including suggestions on how to fix the problems and how things could trend for the team from here.
In games decided by 5 points or less:
Zac Taylor is 4-17 in the regular season. The 4 wins came last year against MN, Jax, Den, & KC along with a healthy Joe Burrow.
We could count the 2 playoff wins against TEN & KC but then we’d also have to count the SB loss to the Rams.— Elise Jesse (@EliseJesseTV) September 19, 2022
A theme from Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow was how the Cowboys zone Tampa 2 defense with two high safeties took away deep shots.
The Bengals need to run the ball better to break defenses down, and they need to avoid more penalties to be in less predictable situations.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) September 19, 2022
Joe Burrow is so good that he convinced an entire city that Zac Taylor isn't an awful football coach.
— Steve Fuller (@fullsteve) September 18, 2022
Yep. Zac Taylor still refuses to let Joe Burrow try and win games. https://t.co/w9f95Yyglc
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) September 18, 2022
The issue with Zac Taylor is that in 3 years, he has never learned. It's the same mistakes over and over. One of which is not letting Joe Burrow win games. Tonight, Bengals last drive, 3 passes of 3 yards or less. Cowboys last drive, they let Rush sling it to win.
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) September 19, 2022
Joe Burrow telling Zac Taylor no empty sets.
The play calling is at an all time low.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) September 18, 2022
IDK if this is a bad read by Joe Burrow or if it's just a decoy-only design by Zac Taylor, but there is a built in screen design to this play that should have resulted in an obvious pass to Jamar Chase based on the pre-snap alignment of the defense. This should be automatic. pic.twitter.com/QfVWxO37O8
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) September 20, 2022
Bengals are wasting Joe Burrow with bad coaching on both sides of the ball. Time to fire Zac Taylor and find a coach worthy of Burrow’s talents. #BengalsFootball
— Thomas (@Thomas_Buckeye5) September 18, 2022
Was last year Zac Taylor’s tragic Mike McCarthy year? And will Joe Burrow have to spend the second half of his career overcoming his stank?
— David Murphy (@ByDavidMurphy) September 19, 2022
First down offensive execution.
Bengals are 30th in 1st down success rate and have been 25th in 1st down success rate since Zac Taylor took over in 2019.
If the Bengals don’t do a better job getting ahead of the chains, I’m worried about where this season spirals. https://t.co/78hOwG69BS
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) September 20, 2022
Can someone tell Zac Taylor we know it’s a run if it’s under center …. Like 98% certain it’s a run
— Just Eric (@JUSTERIC__) September 18, 2022
It's time to have conversations about Zac Taylor and his inability to orchestrate a cohesive and effective offense.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) September 18, 2022
It just feel like Zac Taylor is in way over his head every game. It shouldn’t feel like that for a 4th year head coach.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) September 18, 2022
I’m not calling for Zac Taylor to be fired.
He has done a great job changing the culture and putting together a great roster.
BUT the offense HAS to change. It is too predictable, too conservative, and just simply too easy for the opposing defense to defend right now.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) September 19, 2022
Another situation where it actually looks like Burrow checks into the screen, the right slot WR had no idea. But that is also something that Zac Taylor builds into the offense and needs to make sure its incorporated correctly.
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) September 20, 2022
Joe Burrow’s special ability is extending the play. It’s literally what he’s known for. I have no problem with him doing that especially when we are down in games w/ a struggling offense. Sorry guys he’s not throwing it out of bounds on 3rd and 4th downs like Andy Dalton.
— Ace Boogie (@NewStripeCity) September 20, 2022
I really do wonder how far we are from Joe Burrow going full Peyton Manning and just calling the offense himself.
Frankly, always felt like that was his destiny, the timeline is just turning up now.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) September 19, 2022
