Overview
- The latest setback was sealed by a 58-yard Caleb Williams touchdown with 17 seconds left, marking a second straight loss in games where Cincinnati scored at least 38 points.
- Head coach Zac Taylor said no defensive coaching changes will be made, publicly backing coordinator Al Golden and stressing faith in the current staff.
- Analyses place Cincinnati’s defense near the bottom historically, including second-worst DVOA through nine games since 1978, last in defensive success rate, and a two-week stretch of 86 points and 1,000-plus yards allowed.
- Locker-room strain showed as multiple defensive starters declined postgame interviews, while Chase Brown and Ja'Marr Chase voiced frustration over the unit’s inability to close games.
- Taylor admonished Brown’s remarks and said they addressed them, as the Bengals enter their Week 10 bye at 3-6 with diminished postseason prospects.