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Zac Taylor and the Cincinnati Bengals missed out on a big opportunity to improve to 2-3 against a direct rival like the Baltimore Ravens. The two AFC North teams put on a show that needed overtime to define the winner.
Lamar Jackson and Co. ultimately came out victorious while Bengals fans were left fuming with their coach.
After finishing regulation time tied at 38, the Bengals and Ravens had the opportunity to win the game in extra time. After the Ravens had the first possession of OT, Jackson fumbled the football and Cincinnati recovered it.
They had the chance to go for the score to either get the advantage or finish the game. On 4th and 7 at Baltimore's 35-yard, Taylor decided to go for a 53-year field goal that Evan McPherson missed.
The Ravens recovered the ball and completed the 51-yard kick to win the game 41-38.
Fans didn't appreciate this decision and took to social media to call out Taylor for settling for the field goal instead of using Joe Burrow and his weapons.
"3 straight runs to settle for a 50+ yard FG when you have Joe Burrow is inexcusable levels of cowardice," one fan said.
"At least throw a screen to chase and let him try something," another fan said.
"You have Joe burrow and Jamar chase is in 1v1 against a rookie db it’s second down you need 8 yards," another fan wrote.
Others directly said he shouldn't keep his job.
"It’s enough to get him fired. And I said it before the fg was missed. You have Burrow, Chase and Higgins," one fan said.
Joe Burrow, Zac Taylor react after OT loss to Ravens
Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor had different reactions to this loss, as they differ on where the Bengals are after going 1-4 in the season. The star quarterback was critical of himself and the team, saying that they weren't perfect today, which is what they needed to beat a team like the Ravens.
On the other hand, Zac Taylor sounded more optimistic about his team's chances, saying that he still believes they can aspire to win the Vince Lombardi trophy.
“I still believe in that," he said. “People can write us off if they want to. I’m not dumb enough to do that.”
The Bengals had already suffered painful losses against the rebuilding Patriots and Commanders and after five weeks, the picture doesn't look that promising.
