Matt’s Take: How is Zac Taylor still the head coach of an NFL team?

By Matthew McAdow
HCP columnist

Prior to the season, Cincinnati had a “Super Bowl or Bust” mindset; yet once again, they find themselves at 2-4.  

Sure, Joe Burrow is hurt, and I’m not downplaying that by any means. However, Zac Taylor might be the worst play caller in the history of the NFL (I am not exaggerating). If it wasn’t for Burrow, he wouldn’t have a job in football. If he loses to Pittsburgh on Thursday night, I am not sure how you allow him to stay in this city. 

Stop blaming the offensive line, stop making excuses for when Burrow is hurt, and I ask you to look directly at Zac Taylor. With the weapons he has on offense, he fails week in and week out to have any type of offensive momentum. His schemes are horrible and his first half completely exposed him yet again. I am tired of typing this same nonsense every single week to begin every single season.  

I don’t care if this team had a healthy Burrow, Ja’Marr, Justin Jefferson, Nakua, Bijan, St. Brown, and Travis Kelce. This team would still struggle because Zac Taylor is not the guy for the job. Let him go.  

Positives (I am tired of the negative talk)

At 2-4, the Bengals are still second in the AFC North. This division is awful. Beat the Steelers and Cincinnati is right back in this embarrassing race.  

Ja’Marr Chase is still the best wide receiver I have ever watched. It doesn’t matter who is out there throwing to him, he still finds a way to put up alien-like numbers. He might be the best wide receiver this game has ever seen when it is all said and done.  

DJ Turner had himself a game: Five pass deflections, seven yards allowed, one TFL, 91.8 PFF Grade. He’s been a major bright spot on defense.  

Geno Stone is quietly having a really good season and a rebound from the beginning of last year. He is shining in Golden’s defense.  

Flacco didn’t turn the ball over and played a great second half. He is better than Browning, and it was clear to see that he still has an arm capable of winning games for this team.  

Rehkow can punt…..We all got to watch that again.

Negatives (I could write all day)

Iosivas was dreadful on Sunday with three major drops. Tinsley or Burton need given a chance.  

Orlando Brown Jr. has not been what he had hoped this season thus far. Embarrassing footage and breakdowns game after game.  

You can’t leave a defense on the field for an entire half and then wonder why chunk plays happen late in the game.  

Zac Taylor.

Cincinnati should be trying to find a trade partner for Logan Wilson. They drafted linebackers and Logan has clearly lost a step.  Get something while you can. 

Tackling in the open field continues to be a problem. 

Cam Taylor-Britt – Enough said. 

While I really like Perine, he can’t be your running back No. 2. If Brown would go down, Cincinnati would be in even worse trouble than they already are.