The Cincinnati Bengals sat under the bright lights of a primetime audience on “Sunday Night Football” against the Baltimore Ravens and took a 19-17 loss, largely due to self-inflicted wounds.
Which is a long way of saying the national audience lead to some massive, widespread reactions.
Those reactions centered on the play of the Bengals offensive line, the play-calling of head coach Zac Taylor and some much-deserved love for guys like Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard.
Here’s a look at some of the most notable fan, media, former player and otherwise reactions from the immediate aftermath of the game, which sent the Bengals to a 2-3 record.
The drive to get the TD taking over 7 minutes was less than optimal. Needed more of a sense or urgency on that one.
— Andrew Russell (@Andrew_Russell7) October 10, 2022
If the Bengals lose this game, you can't fault the defense. Only allowed one touchdown to a very potent Ravens offense.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 10, 2022
Zac Taylor is the worst offensive coach in the league. I'm not sure it's particularly close either.
— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) October 10, 2022
Zac Taylor as a play caller just doesn’t work.
I don’t know what else to say. It just does not work.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) October 10, 2022
GETTING NO POINTS ON A 15 PLAY , 73 YARD DRIVE THAT LASTED EIGHT MINUTES YOU ARE UNDER ARREST ZAC TAYLOR
— Kofie (@Kofie) October 10, 2022
Like seriously how do you NOT blame Zac Taylor for that BONEHEADED fourth down decision. He needs to AT LEAST be relieved of his play calling
— Not Jake 🥷🏻 (@CincyHub) October 10, 2022
I haven’t felt like they were the less talented side in any of these losses. I do feel like the offensive staff has been close to abominable to start this season.
— Teth-Adam (@DCRezz) October 10, 2022
Three last-minute field goal losses. At least they’re keeping it entertaining for us until the last second. We’ll see them when they come to our house. 😏
— Logi B 513 (@Logi513) October 10, 2022
All three games lost from the offense not doing enough. ALL THREE lost on the LAST PLAY OF THE GAME. Zac Taylor needs to give up the playcalling or this team will never see its full potential.
— Jack 💥 (@Cincinneumeyer) October 10, 2022
Zac Taylor opted for a Philly Special and a shovel pass to WR5 from the 2-yard line tonight instead of seeing if his $40M running back getting six yards a pop could punch it in and it cost the Bengals what could’ve been a massive win.
— Matt Edwards (@MattEdwards) October 10, 2022
So many things went wrong:
Huber
Defense not stopping the run
Terrible executionPlay calling was meh
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave) October 10, 2022
The Bengals didn’t deserve to win this game, and they don’t deserve to make the playoffs
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) October 10, 2022
100% of the blame falls on Zac Taylor for a chicken shit offensive coaching job.
That’s terrible.
— Willie Lutz (@willie_lutz) October 10, 2022
Thanks, Zac. Night, ya’ll. Time to win 4 in a row before the bye. #WhoDey
— Bengals Backyard 🐅 (@BengalsBackyard) October 10, 2022
Play-calling lost the Bengals this game. Not the OL, not Burrow, and certainly not the defense
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) October 10, 2022
The Bengals lost because of playcalling. Zac Taylor is the playcaller. This loss is on the head coach.
— Brandon Saho (@BrandonSaho) October 10, 2022
I can’t believe the Bengals have the engineers of the greatest college football offense ever, and they have failed to score more than 20 points in 3 of 5 games so far this year https://t.co/cT4qZAjZal
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) October 10, 2022
I’m not even mad about not taking the points. Just want to see aggressive offense again.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) October 10, 2022
All three Bengals losses have come on the final play of those games.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) October 10, 2022
Zach Taylor GTFOH. I swear to God in game coaching has never ever ever been worse across the board. Half these guys coach handle game management like they are trying to win a bonus Cracker Jack prize. Bunch of jackasses. It’s so bad. What the Bengals just did happens 7x a week.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) October 10, 2022