Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor

Postgame press conference
Sunday, September 8, 2024

Initial comments ...

"Obviously, we didn't start fast enough on offense with three straight three-and-outs. Lost the turnover battle essentially three-zero — one on offense, one on special teams, and one on the turnover on downs, and didn't get anything back off of them. We missed a lot of tackles today with 170 yards rushing (for the Patriots). No recipe in that style of game to be able to win. It's very clear if you lose the turnover (battle) like that Week 1, it's going to point to a loss. We have to be accountable for that, make those corrections and get ourselves ready to go on the road next week"

What was it about the offense early?

"Just didn't get a great rhythm. I can't put my finger on exactly what that was. I felt like we had a good plan and guys knew what to do. Just those first six-and-long plays weren't good enough."

You had fourth-and-five at the end and elected to punt. What went into that decision?

"Just trust our defense. We had three time outs, two-minute warning. Our defense really played well. It was 16 points — I say that in context. We fumbled a punt, gave them the three points and really gave them a momentum shift when we fumbled going into score. They turned around and turned that into seven points. So 10 points off turnovers, and that's going to be a tough way to win."

Did they take away the downfield passing game?

"It's difficult. Obviously in the first half there, we feel like we got into a rhythm after those first three drives. We were able to move the ball down the field, and we fumbled. We moved the ball down the field to start the quarter, missed a fourth-and-two, and then went down there and scored a touchdown and a field goal. We felt like we were comfortable and getting in rhythm after those first three drives. Unfortunately that last drive, going three-and-out, just wasn't good enough to give ourselves a chance to win. We had the ball for a chance to win and just didn't get it done."

Is it especially frustrating after the changes you made in the offseason, with the preseason and joint practices, to not get off to a fast start today?

"It's just frustrating that we didn't play well enough to win. That's the biggest frustration, looking at the turnover battle and looking at the missed tackles. It's as simple as that. There was execution in enough areas that was certainly good enough for us to win, but when they get two extra possessions, and they rush for 170 yards, it's going to be tough."

When New England got the turnovers and went on long drives, how does that impact you?

"It's a momentum killer when the offense doesn't put the ball in the end zone and they turn around and have the ball, that's a gut punch to the team. Certainly our defense has risen up in that situation a million times and got a stop and stopped the bleeding. Today, unfortunately it didn't go that way. I still have a ton of confidence in this team. It's clear as day why we lost. It's not that we don't have the talent. It's none of that stuff. It's, we have to win the turnover battle and have got to clean up some other areas."

At what point did you know Ja'Marr Chase was going to play?

"I can't really answer that."

Was it at all because of illness with how he was used?

"He played a lot. We managed. We took him out on some stuff just because of the expectation of not practicing. So, there were some things we took him out on but as the game went he wanted to keep going, so we kept him in there."

Did they take away shots down the field with their scheme?

"Sometimes you're calling downfield shots and you're taking completions underneath, and so again, we had some good catch-and-run opportunities that got us first downs. But the beauty of it is we're not going to force throws down the field just to say we threw the ball down the field. We're never going to do that."

You've been in this spot before. What do you say to the team?

"What I just told you all — the turnover battle and tackling."

What was the biggest difference in the first and second half with the offensive line?

"Did we give up two sacks in the first half? Is that accurate? One of them there was just some miscommunication on the route concept and so it pulled the ball down, and that's where the protection folded up. I thought they held up and gave Joe (Burrow) time."

Did you feel the team was flat start the game?

"No. I thought the energy from the crowd was tremendous. It's obviously disappointing that we lost. It's disappointing because we had a great turnout and a lot of commitment there from the fans, so that certainly gives us a boost. We felt like we were going to win the entirety of the game. Didn't care what the score was — we felt like we were going to come back and win. Unfortunately, three-and-out on our final possession and missed some tackles there on the final drive that allowed them to ice the game."

Anything this team could have done different?

"I just said the two things. We've got to tackle better and we've got to win the turnover battle."

Anything different you could have done in terms of preparation?

"The good thing is we've got 16 games left to play. Starting 0-1 is certainly not a hole we wanted to be in but I feel good about how this team will regroup."

Was that the plan for the defense to try and punch the ball out?

"You certainly want to get the ball out, but we missed tackles that weren't punching the ball out."

How long do you think WR Tee Higgins will be out?

"I don't know. We'll just take it week-to-week right now."

Were there any issues with Joe Burrow and his wrist today?

"I didn't notice any issues there."

QUARTERBACK JOE BURROW

Postgame press conference
Sunday, September 8, 2024

What are the initial thoughts of today?

"We had our opportunities and didn't take advantage of them. It was not our best day. We will come back and learn from it for next week."

It has been three consecutive years of starting 0-1. This year, you were fully healthy through training camp. What can you pinpoint as the reason why the slow starts continue to be a trend for this team?

"We will just have to watch the tape and learn from it."

When did you find out WR Ja'Marr Chase was going to play today?

"Today."

Did you guys have a conversation last night or this morning that made you feel like he was going to play?

"I will leave his business to him. It was great to have him out there. I thought he played well."

Did you feel any limitations with your wrist at all?

"No, I feel good."

Did you feel any impact of the time Ja'Marr Chase missed and how that reflected with the offense today?

"No, I wouldn't say that's accurate."

Why was the offense not on the same page, how would you characterize that?

"We'll have to watch the tape. I don't really have an answer for you right now, I'll have a better answer on Wednesday."

You've spoken in previous years about getting a feel for the rush as the season goes on. Is that an adjustment you were picking up on today?

"No, I felt good about the rush today. I thought our offensive line played well."

What didn't work during that last drive?

"I missed Ja'Marr on the first play. I missed Zack (Moss) on the second play. Then, they played coverage I didn't expect on the third-down play. It was not my best drive."

You found something there with the run game on the touchdown drive. Did something change there, why did it work well in that particular drive and not much elsewhere?

"They were playing some pass defenses, and the offensive line did a great job of moving on that one, and Zack (Moss) and Chase (Brown) did a great job running."

Was there anything that you noticed in real time on the first three drives?

"We'll have to watch the tape."

Did you say anything to TE Tanner Hudson about the fumble at the goal line?

"No, he knows. There is nothing to be said about that."

Did you think you were down on the fumble?

"Yes, I knew I was down."

What was the reason for the lack of deep shots in this game?

"They were taking it away. They did a good job. They had a good plan. I was just taking what they gave me. We will watch the tape and see if we had some other opportunities to get the ball down the field and figure that out."

How comfortable did you feel out there being your first game back since the injury?

"I felt comfortable. You get more and more comfortable as the game goes and as the season goes. I was comfortable, but I'll be more comfortable as we go."

What was the mood like at halftime?

"We were positive. We felt good about our chances and our opportunities. We just didn't take advantage of a lot of those opportunities."

In hindsight, is there anything you wish would have been done differently during training camp?

"No, I think our camp was well put together."

WIDE RECEIVER JA'MARR CHASE

How ready did you feel to play today?

"I felt ready enough."

What's going through your mind after a game like that?

"Just wish we had more opportunities to make plays."

What did you feel was the reason the team wasn't able to do more on offense?

"It's obvious. Just the turnovers and we have to get first downs and move the ball."

How do you feel like Joe Burrow looked on the field today?

"He looked good, but still, there's spots we could work on, not (just) including him. Me, myself, the rest of the receivers, the O-line, the running back room — everybody."

What was the most frustrating part of the game today on offense?

"The last drive. We went three-and-out."

What happened on the punt play where you didn't get off the field before getting penalized?

"You answered it. I didn't get off the field."

You have guys have started slow the last couple of years. How do you avoid letting this feeling bleed over into next week's game against Kansas City?

"We're pros. We have to forget about it and move on to the next week."

What's the number one thing you feel you guys need to improve upon right now?

"I'll just say turnovers. That was the biggest thing today — turnovers. The turnover was one we lost."

Do you feel like you were getting open today?

"I felt like I had opportunities."

HALFBACK ZACK MOSS

How was it to have a contribution both catching short passes from Joe Burrow as well as in the running game?

"It was good. I wish I could have made a lot more plays. I dropped two passes today, so I've got to be better there and I will be better there. (It's a) tough loss. We all played a part in it on both sides of the ball and special teams. We've got to clean up a lot of stuff and get ready for next week."

As a veteran, how do you help this group reset and focus for Week 2?

"There are veterans all across this locker room. This position room will do what we need to do to make sure everybody is ready to go for next week. For me personally, it's just getting ready to go back to work, being consistent and showing up on the field and doing what I need to do. Guys will follow that and we'll go from there."

CENTER TED KARRAS

How confusing was it trying to put together the pieces on the offense's first three drives? Did they surprise you with anything as a team?

"They did not. I don't think 'Confusing' is the word. (We had) a lack of execution and really just no production on offense. The third quarter, we got it going, but again, that's probably too little, too late. Ten points is not going to beat anyone."

How does the team keep this from spilling over into next week?

"We get back to practice. We've got to watch this and learn from it. We have the defending champs in their home stadium. Everyone is going to have to get over it pretty quick and obviously, that sucks that we lost the third consecutive opener, but it's a long season and we're going to be ready to go."

You used the term "lack of execution." Why is that happening?

"I don't know. You guys are going to have to come up with that. I don't know the story on that. But this team didn't give up. We had our chances and it didn't go our way today."

On the touchdown drive, did you guys unlock something in the run game? It really energized the offense for the first time in the game ...

"We had a good plan coming out of halftime, but we were getting on (our) blocks. (We had) a hat on a hat. We were running the ball downhill and our backs were making good reads and getting the ball north. You can't wait until the third quarter to do that, especially against a well-coached team (with a) defensive emphasis like the Patriots."

PUNTER RYAN REHKOW

On your 80-yard punt, it almost went out in between the one-yard line and the end zone. That would have been an 80-yard net punt. Did you think you had a chance at achieving that?

"I saw toward the end that it kind of trailed out. Someone told me I haven't played here enough to get home field advantage or a home field favor, but if it could have happened, it would have been even better. But I was glad to flip the field on that one for sure."

How big is that when your team is struggling and you can do something like that to give them an opportunity?

"I think that's kind of our job. We're here if you need us, we're here if you don't. I definitely wish we could have one or two less touchbacks — that would have set us up even better. It was a good way to start, but again, (we all) just want the team to be better. We want the team to win and if we (specialists) can help in that way, of course we're going to try and do that."

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