Overview
- Taylor said no coaching changes will be made during the bye and publicly backed defensive coordinator Al Golden, insisting the staff will find solutions.
- Cincinnati’s latest setback was a 47-42 loss to Chicago decided by a 58-yard touchdown with 17 seconds remaining after the Bengals had taken a late lead.
- The unit ranks second-worst by DVOA through nine games since 1978 and leads the NFL in missed tackles, with Next Gen Stats crediting them with 109 for 778 yards, including 15 for 133 yards against the Bears.
- Despite Joe Flacco’s surge — including a career-high 470 passing yards vs. Chicago — the Bengals became the first team since 1966 to score 38-plus in back-to-back games and lose both.
- Postgame strain surfaced as multiple defensive starters declined interviews, and there are reports of trade rumblings involving defensive captain Logan Wilson.