Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor didn’t mince words when discussing the questionable hits absorbed by his star quarterback Joe Burrow in the team’s heartbreaking 35-34 loss to the division rival Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night. The third-year coach made it clear he needs to be more vocal in advocating for his signal caller’s safety moving forward.
“They call it like they see it. I respect that,” Taylor said of the officiating crew after reviewing the game film on Friday. “But I’ve got to keep fighting for some of that stuff. You don’t want to lose Joe on a hit that’s well after the play is over.”
Burrow, who has quickly established himself as one of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks, was hit a staggering 13 times by the relentless Ravens defense, including three sacks. Several of those hits came well after the ball had left the former Heisman winner’s hands, sparking outrage from Bengals fans and pundits alike.
Lack of Flags Draws Scrutiny
Despite the apparent late nature of some of the hits, only one roughing the passer penalty was called on Baltimore all night – a fact not lost on Coach Taylor or his battered quarterback. Burrow even took a shot to the face on a pivotal failed two-point conversion attempt late in the fourth quarter that went unflagged.
“I feel like I have never gotten those calls, so I don’t really expect that,” a clearly frustrated Burrow told reporters after the game. “There were a couple that were close. Again, I don’t expect those.”
Taylor acknowledged his quarterback’s toughness and team-first mentality, but insisted he needs to be the one to lead the charge for better protection from the zebras in stripes.
“Joe isn’t one to lobby the refs during games – he doesn’t want it to disrupt his rhythm,” the coach explained. “So it falls on me to be more proactive, both publicly and behind the scenes, to ensure he’s getting the calls he deserves. And I plan to do just that.”
Burrow’s Brilliant Night Overshadowed
Lost in the controversy was yet another spectacular performance from Burrow, whose poise and precision helped the Bengals battle back from a 14-point second half deficit. The 26-year-old completed 34 of 56 passes for 428 yards and four touchdowns, nearly pulling off a miraculous comeback against the vaunted Ravens defense.
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Burrow was pressured on a whopping 40% of his dropbacks – the fifth-highest rate in any game of his young career. Yet he still managed to post a stellar 72.6 QBR when under duress, showcasing the cool under fire that has quickly made him a fan favorite in the Queen City.
But while Bengals supporters may marvel at their quarterback’s grit and determination, Coach Taylor knows it’s playing with fire to continually subject the franchise cornerstone to that level of punishment. And he seems determined to use his platform to affect change.
“It’s my job to protect Joe and put him in the best possible position to lead this team to wins and titles for the long haul,” Taylor said firmly. “I have to fight at every turn to make that happen, even if it ruffles some feathers. His well-being is too important not to.”
A Rivalry Renewed… and NFL on Notice
The narrow loss drops the defending AFC champion Bengals to 1-1 on the young season, but there’s no rest for the weary in the NFL. Cincinnati must regroup quickly before a Sunday clash with the high-powered New York Jets offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
How Taylor and his staff handle Burrow’s recovery and preparation in the coming days will be heavily scrutinized in the wake of his rugged night in Baltimore. But one thing is abundantly clear: the fiery young coach is ready to go to battle for his quarterback, both on and off the field.
The Ravens may have drawn first blood in what’s shaping up to be an epic renewal of the AFC North’s nastiest rivalry. But if Zac Taylor has his way, the NFL’s officials will think twice about letting defenders tee off on Joe Burrow with impunity. A new front may have just opened up in the ongoing war to protect the league’s most valuable assets – and the Bengals’ leader isn’t about to surrender.
