Quotes from:

Zac Taylor

Head coach

What was the biggest reason for today's loss?

"It's tough. It was a strange game, obviously. To give them 14 points ... I felt like we had pretty good control in the game and had a chance, really, to create a lot of separation, and then we gave them 14 points. The defense gives up six total — two field goals — and that's got to be enough to win. You know, you just look at (how) the little things just got us. We missed two extra points. We had two turnovers for touchdowns, and then they had a two minute drive to win the game. It's just frustrating. It's just frustrating — that's the biggest thing. And we just weren't able to finish it in some area (to) finish that game and find a way to get a win."

What did you tell the team after the game?

"It's a little bit fitting, to be honest with you, in terms of how our season's gone. That doesn't make it right. Several times we had games where we played well in different areas and we just hadn't found a way to put it all together. There have been games these last couple of weeks (where) we had, but this is one we needed to finish off. (This was) a divisional game, and this is how these divisional games go. It comes down to a play at the end (in a) one-score game, and we just weren't able to finish it off."

What was your view of what Cleveland was able to do to be successful on their final drive?

"They hit a couple of throws over there in the flat and got a couple chunks. I thought we did a good job stopping them for two plays, and then they get the one where they get 10 yards to get them closer and put them in field goal range, and their kicker did a great job finishing it off."

What do you think it's been where the team hasn't been able to close out games they were leading late? Is there something you feel you can address to correct that in the offseason?

"That's something where we're going to have to look (at it). To sit here today and give that answer is challenging. We'll reflect back and obviously, (if) we had the answer, we would have pulled it today. So that's just something we'll have to look at."

Was there a thought on the last offensive drive you had that you needed to score the touchdown but wish you had taken more time off the clock?

"It's hard. You'd love to score with one second left, but it's challenging. If you run it and waste a down on a zero-yard gain just for the sake of running the clock, it's challenging. We've been in that situation a lot, where sometimes we don't score on the first play and we don't do that, so it's, 'Let's go get points, get a stop and go win the game,' and it just didn't work out."

What makes it so tough when you're going up against Cleveland's defense?

"(Myles Garett) is the best player on the defensive side of the ball. He's the best player and he wrecks every single play. You've got to account for him, they've got a really good defensive line — they've got a really good defense. I'm not just going to minimize it and say it's just a really good defensive line. They've got a good defense that's been challenging for every team they've played all season. You just look at the last couple of games they've played. They do a great job. They make it hard. You've got to earn everything. I thought we found some success at different points in the game and, you know, we just weren't able to score more than the 18 or whatever we scored."

The ending of the game, the defense has a chance to make a play and end the season on a high note. What kind of taste does this loss leave with you having games end like this so many times?

"Not a good one. Not a good taste."

You had a long conversation with the officials after Garrett's sack. Can you explain what happened there?

"There's five minutes left in our season — we're playing for our lives here — and I was never told we were going to stop the game, and in a critical moment like that. The refs just said they made a decision they were going to stop the game. They said they tried to do it as quickly as possible. I didn't feel that (way). We didn't sub, we were trying to be on the ball and go and play with tempo, and the umpire just held the ball so we couldn't do anything. I'm yelling at Joe (Burrow), 'Get on the ball — we didn't sub — we're going!' And we couldn't play.

"Again, trying to get an answer was not easy. They just said they made a decision as a crew to stop the game when that happened. I guess it didn't matter when it happened. They were just going to stop the game when it happened."

And you were not informed of that prior to the game?

"No. I was never informed of that. They didn't say one word. We meet with them in the 90-minute meeting before the game and they never said one word about that."

How did you approach this week regarding Burrow's play seeing how he played the full share of reps?

"Yes. Yes. We played that game to win the game in every decision we made. I know a lot was made of the Garrett sack record, and he's earned that. He's earned that. He's earned that because — and I say that because we weren't saying, 'We don't want to walk out of here without him breaking (the record).' We just wanted to win the game, so we were calling whatever we did to win it. But to his credit, the guy never — he rarely has one-on-ones, ever, ever. So for him to be able to do that and get that record ... I didn't track the other times that record was broken, but this was unbelievable he was able to do that with everything that's put on him on tape, minimized, and they don't play with leads typically. I'm not trying to take a shot at them, that's just the truth of it this year. So that's a credit to him, and he's earned that."

Why did you choose to bring in Joe Flacco on the quarterback sneak play he was involved with?

"Just (to have) a bigger body there. They were really loading up the front, if you saw some of those short yardage plays. Flacco's obviously a much bigger body."

You had some rhythm there on the drive where you took the lead late. What was working there, that maybe wasn't working earlier in the game?

"I don't think we had a lot of possessions, really. I don't know what possession that was on (that) drive. We had one in the third quarter, if I remember correctly, and the quarter ended with one, so it just didn't feel like we had a lot of plays in the second half. We had a bunch in first half, and not in the second half."

Chase Brown went over 1000 yards rushing today and scored another touchdown for another consecutive week. Is his performance one of this season's highlights?

"Yeah. I thought he had an outstanding season and (was) very dependable for us. He's really worked hard to be the player that he is, so for the production to match that, I'm really proud of Chase. I'm proud of the guys up front that helped paved the way for those rushing yards. I'm proud of (running backs coach) Justin Hill. Justin has done a great job getting that room to reach its full potential. So I would say these milestones and achievements are bittersweet when it happens like this. At the same time, when a player puts lot of work into his craft and his career, you're happy to see them reach those milestones that will be with them forever."

How confident are you there's enough brainpower in the building from coaching staff to administration this doesn't happen next season?

"I'm very confident."

Why?

"We have really good people and I enjoy working with them. This stings all of us, equally, and I just trust everybody."

Evan McPherson had a great season and then had the two misses today. How unusual was that even though one was tipped?

"I think you have to factor that (since) one was tipped. The second one, to be truthful, I don't have an answer for right now."

What will the conversations be like with the front office?

"I'll just keep those private to ourselves."

Is there any long term concern with B.J. Hill's calf injury?

"No, not long term. None of (the injuries) are long term. That's all that matters."

Is there any frustration that Cleveland seems to be the one division foe you don't score that many points against?

"No. I think a lot of teams have a hard time scoring and moving the ball against them. We've beaten them the last four times (we've played) and we had a really great opportunity today to beat them for a fifth time. So, sometimes in this league, it's not always pretty, and I wish we scored 50 every game and the production was outstanding. But there's also times you go in and have a lot of respect for your opponent, and they've earned that. They've made it really challenging for everybody, including us. So, I know we feel that and our fan base feels that, but so does every team that walks into Cleveland and plays them. We didn't find enough ways to score today to be able to separate ourselves."

What will the next 24 hours look like for you?

"Meet with a lot of players. It's the exit day for those guys, so we'll have a team meeting in the morning. They'll do their physicals, they'll get with their positions coaches and myself as much as I can, and then we'll let them be on their ways."

As you move forward, what does it mean for you to have the support of Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase?

"We work really hard on the relationships. Those are important things. We want those guys to trust us. We work really hard to put them into great positions so they can get the most out of their abilities and help our team win. I think that they see that and they respect that, and the only way we can reach our potential with those two guys is if you've got a relationship to match it where you pour into them and they know that you want the best for them. I've worked really hard with those two guys as all our coaches have, and they've reciprocated that, so it's a hard thing to do because you face a lot of adversity as a group. (You) go through a lot of ups and downs, and to do it with those guys is special, because of how hard they work and how much it means to them. I think to be a part of that, I don't take it for granted. It's something we work really hard at."

JOE BURROW

Quarterback

Obviously, that's not how you wanted to end the season _...

"Yeah, we beat ourselves today. False starts, turnovers, mental errors — it certainly wasn't high-level football today."

Is that the product of it being the end of the season, or was it just one of those games?

"It's tough to say. We certainly can't have the mental errors we had today. What caused that, I don't know, but it can't happen."

How big of a game plan was neutralizing Myles Garrett?

"You have to if you want to be successful against that team. He's the focus of our game plan every time we play him. It's no secret. It's challenging because you commit resources to that and it takes away resources elsewhere. For the most part, I thought we were pretty good against him today. You can see how impactful he is — we have no help on him one time and he gets one. I'm pretty sure it was him that put his hand up and knocked the ball down on the goal line for the interception. He's an aware, elite player that you have to revolve your game plan around."

How involved do you plan on being in the team's plans this offseason?

"We'll have those meetings the next couple of days. For the most part, we're all on the same page about what we have to do and where we have to go. Without the meetings yet, it's tough to say. I know they certainly value my opinion. I think about things critically, I think I can provide insight into things going on in the locker room and on the field that could help us win. I plan to voice some things just like I do every offseason."

What do you want to see done most this offseason?

"It's tough to say right now without talking to people. Those meetings will be done the next few days. I'm very confident in our coaching staff. I know those guys work really hard to put us in good positions and I always feel well prepared and put in the best spot to succeed. From that standpoint, I think we're in a good spot."

Do you have the same level of confidence in the organization as you did to start the season?

"We all want to win."

Do you think your championship mindset is being matched by the organization?

"I sure hope so. I know everyone's frustrated right now. There's a disconnect during the season — we're down here focused on the day-to-day and trying to get better, and it's their job upstairs to focus on the big picture. I know they're committed to that."

How important will free agency be this March?

"That's of paramount importance. You have to identify where you're weak and figure out a way to be strong in that area. That's the NFL year in and year out. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn't. You have to attack that period with intent to get better."

Are you surprised they stopped the game after Garrett's sack?

"Was I surprised? No. That's typically how they handle those kinds of situations."

Walk us through the play call on his sack _...

"It's tough to recall right now, the exact protection ID's on that. Certain looks, you can't have help on (number) 95 because of the potential pressure responses that they give, but it's tough to remember the exact call in that situation off the top of my head."

Does being this far removed from the postseason start to wear on you and add more pressure?

"We certainly aren't where we want or need to be. Not where I expected to be. Yeah, we have to figure it out."

Ja'Marr didn't have a catch in the second half until that last drive. Was there anything you guys did to open it up?

"No, not particularly. We wanted to come in and run the ball, try to mitigate the effect of their rush. I think we ran it well, but we got to a point in the game where we couldn't do that anymore, then we started dropping back and throwing it a little more. I thought we were effective."

They didn't have their top cornerbacks. Did you try to take advantage of that?

"We did take advantage of that for the most part. I thought we moved the ball well all day. It came down to them making a play on the goal line, and then we fumbled and gave them another seven points. Without those two corners out there, they certainly called the game a little differently. I also thought we responded well to that and had the answers to the coverages we were facing."

What can you do to be on the field more, since most of your injuries have been fluky?

"I don't know. I don't know if there's anything I can do. I work really hard to be great at this and put myself in a good position. Whatever that looks like, I'm not sure. I'll certainly think critically about that. Maybe make some changes, maybe not. Maybe I'll decide what I'm doing is great, and things just happen. But I'll think about it."

How are you feeling physically right now?

"I feel good."

How would you rate your performance since being back?

"I'm really proud of what I did this year. I came back from an injury faster than any human ever has. I'm really proud of that. I played some really good football when back. I had one bad game, and you certainly don't want those, but I won't lose my mind over that. I played some really high-level football."

Would you want to win Comeback Player of the Year? I don't know if you can win it coming back in the same season _...

"Would I be eligible for it next year? Maybe next year."

Can you block out questions of 'what could have been' after year six now, with all your injuries?

"Yeah, we're at where we're at. What's happened is what's happened. I certainly don't want to miss as much time as I have, but that's where I'm at. All I can do is evaluate the position I'm in and try to get better from there."

Why has the pursuit of happiness been such a theme over the course of this season?

"If you want to play this game for a long time, you have to enjoy what you do and who you do it with. Injuries take a toll on that. I think in life, I don't want to let losing and where our team is at affect all the other areas. I'm certainly not happy with where we're at, but I'm not going to let it affect who I am, what I do, and how I think about things."

Has that been a big shift?

"I think so. I work really hard at this, so it's a hard pill to swallow when I'm getting injured the way I am and we're losing the way we are. I haven't gotten that joy out of this that I used to. The joy that I got was winning. We certainly haven't had that success we expect. I'm not going to sit around and mope and be miserable to be around with my loved ones. I think it's growth and maturity."

Is there anything different you'll be doing this offseason?

"Yes, I have thought about it. Not critically to the point of change yet."

What's next week look like for you?

"Relaxing, being around friends and family. Stay up late, stay in bed late."

What's late?

"Who knows? I have no obligations for a while, so I'll go to sleep when I get tired I guess."

What are your thoughts on what Zac Taylor said, that this loss was fitting for this season?

"Yeah, its certainly a microcosm of how things have gone the last two years. We certainly expect to win that game and we didn't make the plays to do it. You can say that for a lot of games over the last two years."

How did the offensive line grow this year, and what was it like having Joe Flacco around?

"I think the O-line had their best year since I've been here. I didn't get to experience much of it at the beginning, but since I've come back, I think it's the best that they've been. I think it's the best we've run it as well, and that has opened up certain aspects of our offense. I really enjoyed having Joe in the room, getting to know him, sharing laughs and stories. We had a great quarterback room this year that I didn't get to take as much part in it as I would have liked, but when I was in there I had a lot of fun."

Would him being back in the quarterback room next year make you happy?

"I'd love that. Number one, he played well when he was in there. He was fun to watch, and he brings a certain perspective. It's unique, you don't get to be around guys that have been around as long as he has. He's been valuable for us."

How much does going up against Myles Garrett test your internal clock?

"I don't go into a play thinking about it, but my natural instincts kick in and you feel him quickly and often. That affects how far you can push the ball down the field, the protections you can call, the plays, and how quickly you get the ball out of your hands. He's the best at what he does, and you try to mitigate it as much as you can with your play calls, protections and how your quarterback plays."

How big are these next eight months to get back into the playoffs?

"As big as it gets."

CHASE BROWN

Running Back

You guys played really well down the stretch. What do you think was the reason why that was the case?

"I think we were just connecting on all levels. The O-line was doing a good job in run blocking, (and) we were making big plays down the field. When that all comes together, that's the Cincinnati Bengals offense. We were mostly grateful to find it, that's hard to find sometimes, especially with the way we started — the struggles we had been going through. In hindsight, it does feel great to find that."

You rushed for 1000 yards for the first time. How does that feel?

"I was 10 yards off last year. Got injured in Week 16 against the (Denver) Broncos. It feels good to finish off the year with that statistical number, but there's still a lot more we want to achieve as a team. We want to be in the playoffs, and we want to make a long postseason run. That's kind of where I am at now. Sucks that we're not doing that, but it feels good to end on a (statistical) positive."

You've basically rushed for 2000 yards the last two seasons, you seem to be a consistent player ...

"I try to do my best to do my job."

TEE HIGGINS

Wide Receiver

It was a difficult season with the injuries and concussions, but are you happy with it from a pure statistical stand point?

"Forget about the statistics. I had no muscle injuries this year, so that's a positive. That's what I came in trying to do, and was able to."

You guys had so many close losses this year especially with how things ended today ...

"Obviously it was tough. We were able to put together a drive down there at the end. Got to look back on the first half — two turnovers for touchdowns. If we don't have those turnovers, we win the game. I can't even say, 'Let's get back to practice and fix it.' It's the end of the season. It was good to have a last drive like that to end the season."

It's three years in a row to not make the playoffs ...

"It's tough. You play the game to win championships. It's tough. All we got to do is get back next year and try and do it."

JA'MARR CHASE

Wide Receiver

What is the key next year to finish off games?

"I think the biggest opportunity is putting ourselves in position in the beginning of the game, starting off fast. I've been preaching that for the longest. But I wouldn't say that's the biggest thing. We got to be disciplined, especially with the penalties today. Just execute ... executing our opportunities and the defense got to make plays."

How disappointed are you about this season?

"It was disappointing, yeah. It was disappointing how it went, but everything happens at the end of the day. You got sit here and think about the season highs, and how it went wrong."

You have known you won't be in the playoffs for a few weeks. Does this motivate you for next season?

"Everybody should be motivated who's been on the team the past 2-3 years. They know how it's been. If you go into the offseason and you're not motivated, especially with what has happened this past season, you shouldn't be on the team. You shouldn't play football, period. That's my say about that."

Are you happy with your numbers at the end of the season?

"Yeah, I guess it's all right. I wanted to score in our last game, (so) it's fine. It's cool."

**JORDAN BATTLE**

Safety

For most of the game, the defense was incredible, even though they scored a late field goal to win the game. How did you feel about the defensive performance today?

"We have made some huge strides in the second half of the season. We played a great game, even if we weren't able to finish today, but it was rough and it was a great game. We got to make some plays down the stretch to save the game, but that's what we're going to be working on all offseason. We had those chances earlier in the season, (and) missed too many of them. (We've) got to do better to close out games."

It must be a bad taste for you after how the defense played and then giving up that field goal at the end ...

"For sure, but 25 (Andre Szmyt) rules. We got to improve on it, and get back in there."

How much of a learning experience was it — not just for you, but for the entire defensive group?

"We fought all season ... I feel like the strides we made in the second half of the season were big for us. We had those extra meetings and guys locking in, just going to another level. From the front to the back, it was much better. We improved a lot on missed tackles down the stretch. I just appreciated my teammates and my coaches putting in the effort to help us get better. We just need to finish off the way we started."