Quotes from:

Zac Taylor

Head coach

Initial comments ...

"Really pleased with the way our guys responded this week and played. Just building off of what we thought was a good game last week. Particularly in the second half, I just challenged those guys to show up and keep that momentum going, and so they did. They absolutely did. I thought defensively, really shutting down the run game, not giving them anything in the run game early on outside of that one touchdown early in the game — I thought they played really good. Got a lot of pressure on Jacoby (Brissett), four sacks, a bunch of TFLs, really harassed him throughout the night — that was awesome to see. (Holding them to) three-for-13 on third down was critical for us, and then offensively, just scoring points on six of those first seven drives there to really establish control of the game and be able to finish it the right way. Kicking was great too, (we had a) great punt return, good job with the punts at the end of the game. Evan (McPherson) had a big one, I think 57 yards, at a key point there to extend the lead to nine in the second quarter — that was a key kick for us. Overall, (I was) pleased with the way everyone finished the game."

How long was the Cody Ford play in the playbook?

"One week. With Noah (Fant) going into the week not knowing how were going to have Noah, we had a lot of heavier 12-personnel groupings where he (Cody Ford) was going to be out there. Just to keep the guys in the O-line room, keep that energy sky-high — not that I need to create anything to do that — but we practice it, he caught it during the week, and I felt like (it was) the right moment to get it called."

Were you aware that it was Cody Ford's birthday today? Did that factor into it?

"No. I'm not aware of people's birthdays in general, just to be crystal clear. Always assume that I don't know that information until after the game."

What did you make of the crowd's reaction? They were unhappy that Cody Ford was taken off the field. Did you catch wind of that in real time?

"No. You're in play-call mode at that point, so you don't have great awareness of what's happening."

Was there a thought of giving it to Cody Ford again?

"No. No chance. Zero percent chance."

Was that where the throw was designed to go?

"I mean, yes. That was the one play where we'd like to get him the ball. The corner played pretty tight to start and then Joe (Burrow) kind of gave him some shoulders to loosen him up and then came back to him. Usually it goes out there a little quicker but they were taking it away, so Joe softened them up a little bit, then made a good throw and catch."

Were there any yards after catch in the practice rep?

"No. There's no contact really in practice. I was right there. I wanted him to go down, get the four (yards), go down, put us into second-and-six, and he just kept breaking tackles. That was pretty impressive."

In non-Cody Ford news, Ja'Marr Chase broke his touchdown drought. How nice was it to see him get one early in this game?

"I really wasn't aware of it until Tee (Higgins) pointed it out in the last game, during the game. We're just going to go out there and call it the way we see it. The play he scored on is a play we've run 100 times. He did a great job making people miss and getting in the end zone, and then the other one before the half was a really good play design by (Justin) Rascati and Pitch (Dan Pitcher), so that one worked out well."

What does this performance do for Joe Burrow coming back from injury this season? Playing in these games even though you're out of the playoffs, to have this kind of good play, to see it look like this when he's healthy ...

"Yeah, we've seen this from Joe. He's got a ton of confidence, he's playing with great rhythm, extending plays, hitting big plays down the field. He did a great job with the protection checks today, because that can be really difficult and stressful against these guys. They do a good job of attacking your protections, so Joe was on it. Again, just playing like I know Joe to play, and it's fun to watch."

Chase Brown had another huge game today. What has made him so consistent over the last eight weeks?

"Well, he's very versatile with how you can utilize him. At the same time, I think our linemen are doing a great job in the run game, too, giving him great opportunity in the run game to get those yards beyond the line of scrimmage. He's doing a great job making people miss in space, playing through contact at the second level. He had — I don't know how many explosives today — but they were significant runs that put us in really good position."

Chase Brown has five touchdowns in the third quarter over the last two weeks, with three last week and two this week. Is there any rhyme or reason to that?

"No. When we're at halftime, we've got to come out with a mentality, and the defense has really set the tone the last two weeks and the offense has countered off of that. I was really pleased to see us to get the two quick stops from the defense, then counter with two touchdowns from the offense. You get a chance as the fourth quarter hits to get some other guys in there playing football, but I was really proud of how the guys came out and attacked post-halftime and established the game for us and let us gain control."

How would you describe Myles Murphy's improvement this season?

"He has ascended all season. He's put in great work and he has a lot of confidence right now. I think Jerry (Montgomery) is doing a great job with him, he's taking those things to heart and really just stepping up his game and that's been fun to watch."

Is that an example of how players can make the most of these final games?

"Sure. He's going to finish it up the right way next week and have a lot of confidence going into the offseason and seeing what it can look like. I think our defense as a whole — that's just what's been really fun for me to see and it should be for everybody — their confidence continues to increase and they understand exactly what we're asking them to do. They're starting to do it at a high level and we're just really proud of those guys for sticking together through everything that's happened this season — coaches, players just keep pushing forward and persevering, and they're having a lot of fun right now."

It was very loud in the locker room after the game, especially with those "Cody" chants that we could hear. What was the message in there?

"We have to finish this off the right way. It's all we can control right now, what we've got in front of us is one game left, three practices. We've got to go finish this thing the right way like these guys have been doing for us. It's important for us to play well in front of our fans and finish this out well."

Amarius Mims went out then came back in. How did that go in terms of did he say he wanted to get back in or how did that end up?

"Yeah, he had a great mindset. He had a shin (injury) that we needed to let rest for at least a series, then he was able to go back out there. I'm proud of him. And then at the end of the game, we wanted to get some other guys in there."

Trey McBride had some catches later on in the game, but you guys did a really good job containing the receptions leader in the league. What was the focus going into this game?

"I thought Al (Golden) had a great plan to try to minimize all of that, not make anything easy for them offensively. I know his production — he got a bunch of catches there at the end. I know he's a heck of a player that I'm really impressed with. Our defense did a really good job keying in and making things really difficult for Arizona."

Shemar Stewart got to Jacoby Brissett and brought him down today. Kind of like Myles Murphy, do you feel like that's a player who's wrapping this up the right way?

"He hasn't gotten a chance to just be healthy for a long stretch. It's always a stop-start this year, no fault of his own with the injuries. So, to see him out there accumulating a bunch of snaps over these last couple weeks, first career sack, can get that off your back a little bit before you're going to the offseason. He's got a lot of potential for us."

Do you plan to have Joe Burrow play next week?

"Yes."

What do you think it meant for Shemar Stewart to get that first sack, considering that he's been up and down, been out multiple times. What do you think it meant to him?

"I think it's meaningful, for a guy who's working through injuries (in his) rookie year, all the challenges that comes with it, just to check that box. That's done — now let's go get a lot more."

How gratifying is it for you personally to put together some high-scoring performances at the end of this season?

"The gratifying part for me is that this team has maintained their energy through some really difficult times and really stuck together when people question what they're going to see from us. There should be no questioning that. This team is made of the right stuff, and that's just the part that I focus on. We have a great group of coaches that really stuck together and kept coaching, and these players have bought into it and provided tremendous energy for us, and the proof is in the pudding these last two weeks on the field. That's all we can control right now is every game that's in front of us and how we're going to react to it, so we've got to do that for one more week."

JOE BURROW

Quarterback

The play of the game — a pass to Cody Ford. You've said for years if they're open, you'll throw the ball ...

"Yeah, I was thinking Ja'Marr (Chase,) and then the safety played it pretty well. So, I just progressed outside to Cody. I threw it to him early in the week in practice. It's kind of a joke, but that's just how the play played out."

What was your reaction when they said, "Hey we have a play for Cody" ...

"I'm always for fun stuff like that. No. 1, it keeps the defense off balance. No. 2, it was just fun."

Was that your first read?

"I was going to Ja'Marr. But then I checked Drew (Sample), and that didn't work out. And then I checked for Cody."

What did you think of Cody Ford with the ball in his hands?

"I couldn't believe what I was watching, but it was sick."

Have you ever seen him play basketball

"No, I haven't."

What did you think of the offense as a whole?

"I thought we were pretty productive. Pretty efficient. Chase Brown was great. He's been great all year. We made plays when we had to, but we stayed on schedule. We converted on third downs. It was an efficient performance."

Cody just told us he was a tight end in middle school and his freshman year of high school. Do you see the roots of that?

"I do, I do, I do. It was a long time ago — many moons ago — but I see it."

Chase Brown was phenomenal at the close last season. How do you see him taking the next step?

"He just keeps getting better. Last year, he hit a level that where, once you hit that level, then you're just continuously improving in all areas of your game. He didn't have any weaknesses last year. And he just stepped it up a notch this year. It's been fun to watch."

Chase had a big 15-yard play in the second quarter on third-and-22 to put the team into range for a 57-yard field goal after you were sacked twice in row ...

"We just called the screen there. Just trying to get it out of our hands. He made a play, had us in field goal range, gave us points. That was a big play in the game."

Over the last two weeks, in the third quarter, Chase Brown now has a combined five touchdowns. Is there any rhyme or reason to that?

"No. That's just how it plays out."

There's always talk about meaningless football. What meaning does this type of game and this type of performance have?

"Every time we go out there, we're putting our bodies on the line, going out and trying to prove ourselves in front of the world. Playoffs are out of the question (for us now), obviously. But anytime you step foot out there, you're playing for pride, playing for your guys, trying to execute, and trying to put good stuff on tape."

Is there a part of you that wants to send a message that, "Hey, we might be out of it this year, but next year we feel like we can do something"?

"Every year there are new players, a new team, new schemes, etc.. We're just trying to go out and play well right now."

I know you're not watching every snap of the defense, but for them to perform the way they did against a good offense, what are your thoughts?

"We tackled well. We stopped the run. And when you do those two things, then you get to third down and anything can happen on third down. So, the key is stopping the run, and we've done that for several weeks in a row now. It's been fun to watch."

How do you see Myles Murphy's development?

"He's always been a good practice player. He practices hard, and he is impacting the games. And like I said earlier this week, I don't know anything about his specific gap responsibilities or any specific plays. I just see him around the football, around the quarterback, making plays, hitting people, impacting the game in a lot of different ways. It's been fun to watch."

When you throw the ball to Ja'Marr Chase on the bubble screen, and he scores a touchdown, how fun is it to watch what he does next?

"That's just icing on the cake for me. My job is to give playmakers the ability to make plays and get the ball in their hands. Coaches spend a lot of time throughout the week trying to find ways to get our guys the ball in space. You can scheme it up a lot of different ways, and the easiest one there is trying to figure out a way to put Ja'Marr one-on-one with a corner, and it was a good, well-designed play, and obviously Ja'Marr is great.

What were you thinking while he scored?

"As soon as he made the first guy miss, I knew he was going to score."

What's the dynamic like between you and Ja'Marr? When he's going through a touchdown drought and he has all the belief in you and you have all the belief in him. What's that like in the week leading up to games?

"I didn't even realize he had a touchdown drought. He's the same guy every day for the most part. Sometimes in the mornings, he's a little tired, but once we get out to practice, he's the same guy every day. He just goes about his business and goes and produces on Sundays and plays great. He figures out a way to get open against very, very unique techniques from defenses. He's seen it all now. So, he knows what he's doing and all the different looks, and everybody's game plan is focused around him and not letting him beat them. And he continuously just produces at a high level. That's not an easy thing to do, and I don't see any other receivers in the league getting the attention that he does."

I'm wondering if there's anything about this kind of late season momentum that can carry over into the next season. Is any of it transferrable?

"I just think individual growth is transferable. When you have young guys starting to impact the game at a high level for the first time, you have to carry that through the offseason. Just because you do it one year doesn't mean it's going to happen the next year. And the guys that can build off individual performances and growth from the year before are the ones that end up being great players. The ones that know how to change their body, change their techniques to improve from the year before ... that's what you're looking for."

How much did you miss this feeling while you were out this season?

"This is why you do it — the highs and the lows. The emotion. Just performing with your guys. It's what you love about it."

Is there part of this that's painful, knowing the high level that you're playing now as a team?

"We are where we're at, and there's nothing we can do about it now, so put one foot in front the other and try to get better going forward as we perform again next week."

I don't know how many passes you've thrown to offensive lineman in Cincinnati, but how did it feel to get one?

"We tried one with (Amarius) Mims last year that I had to throw away. I think this is probably the first one that I've thrown. We've had play designs for it in the past, but anytime you get the ball in those guys' hands, they just light up like a kid on Christmas."

Have you thrown other passes to offensive linemen, even in high school?

"Not that I can remember."

Are you more surprised at Cody after the catch today, or DE Sam Hubbard's diving touchdown catch at Tennessee last season?

"I think Cody after the catch, for sure."

CODY FORD

Offensive Tackle

What was your favorite part of the celebration of your catch?

"Just seeing all my teammates as excited as I was."

You jokingly pushed Zac Taylor on the sideline. What did you say to him?

"I think I just said, 'Hell yeah'. I didn't take it too far with him."

Did you hear those 'Let's go Cody' chants from the crowd wanting you to get the ball again?

"Yeah, it was awesome. It was the first time anyone has yelled my name. That was impressive."

This was in the works all week?

"Yeah, it was."

Tell us about when it was drawn up and you potentially being used as a receiver ...

"It was drawn up earlier in the week. Joe (Burrow) kept throwing it to me and I thought he was joking when we went out there in practice, and then he was like 'Alright, here's the play,' and we started running it. And then the next day we ran it again, and I was like 'Alright.' We mentioned it last night that we would call this play. That's what happened."

Were you getting the ball if they weren't going to cover you anyways?

"I don't know. I don't know where my number was in the progression. Joe (Burrow) kept telling me to get wider throughout the week and in the formation. I think he was just telling me to get the hell out of the way so I don't mess with anybody's route. It was a different story when it all played out."

Your yards after catch was impressive. I didn't realize you were so nimble ...

"Yeah, I'm an athlete (laughs)."

SHEMAR STEWART

Defensive End

You got your first career sack today. How does that feel getting that under your belt?

"It felt great, so amazing."

How did you feel the defense played today?

"We came out to play today. Everyone had a good game today."

You've dealt with injuries this year. Do you feel like you gained some momentum now?

"For sure. Just getting more comfortable week by week and take it one step at a time."

You've been battling injuries all season long. How tough has that been?

"It was very tough, especially mentally for a player like me, who never got hurt during my college career, never missed a game, never missed a practice. But it was really hard on me mentally. With everything that has been going on, my mind has been going in one direction, but I should be fine."

What do you feel was the importance of this win?

"To prove that we can do it and to compete with anybody. Week to week, we owe it ourselves to prove we do it and do it all year."

Do you have a special celebration planned out?

"That all went through the window (laughs). I think I did, but I don't remember what it is."

You have the game ball, where's that going to go?

"It's going in a case somewhere in my house."

CHASE BROWN

Halfback

How did you feel about the team today, and how did you feel you played today?

"I've been playing well. I'm making the most of my opportunities. Most importantly, I've been able to receive the ball and then step up with protection. We take pride in this offense in this room like what Samaje (Perine) did today. He stepped up and knocked someone down on their butt. That's like a touchdown. I saw it energy-wise. I was thrilled today. I feel really good about how we're playing, just trying to finish off this season and bring all that energy into next year."

You and Samaje Perine really are the complete package as a duo ...

"We really are. We're both a threat. You really can't predict what we're doing. All I know is that it doesn't necessarily mean it's going to be a run. I can still step up there in protection. And likewise, when Samaje is in there on all these downs, it's not like we're just going to pass the ball. He can run the ball too. We're both versatile players and we bring a lot to the table, and we keep defenses on their toes."

How much of a difference does Joe Burrow bring when he's in at quarterback?

"When Joe is playing, he brings a different energy. He brings a lot when he comes to the stadium — you feel that when you're playing in the games. It means a lot. The way everybody has been playing, especially with this season and how it's been, you could've easily just called it quits. But he's a competitor and came back, and always trying to prove himself. That's a guy you want to play behind."

Jamarr Chase and Tee Higgins are two great receivers. What does it mean to have those two guys for the rest of the offense?

"They demand a lot of attention. Having two No. 1 receivers and the best quarterback in the world means a lot. It opens up space for a lot of guys, including myself, Dre (Andrei Iosivas) and Samaje (Perine)."

What about your defense?

"I mean Arizona went 3-13 on third downs. That's all they were able to execute today. That's huge. It gets us the ball back and allows us to go out there and put points on the board. That's complementary football right there."

What does it mean if this team can win three games in a row to finish the season?

"Just finish strong. Describing everyone in the locker room, you want to play for your brothers, so why not finish the season on a win and bring that energy into next season?"

JA'MARR CHASE

Wide Receiver

You being able to shake off tackles like you did on the touchdown, what was going through your head?

"Honestly I don't know. I think everything is just instincts in that moment."

What is it about the Cardinals that allowed you were able to go off against them?

"I'm not sure. It just so happened that I haven't played well in a couple of weeks. It's just the game we're playing."

What do you think it meant to get on the scoreboard first, and how things progressed from there?

"That's what we needed, especially on that first series. That's how we get momentum, and in the second and the third. It's all important. In that first series, it was very important."

We know you guys aren't going to the playoffs, but how meaningful is it for the offense to play this well?

"That's what we expected from the beginning of the season. It didn't go our way, but we know what we're capable of, especially with the opportunities we put ourselves in. We just have to execute."

Has it been fun for you the last two games?

"It's been fun, period — probably because we've been winning. That's the biggest thing. You're having the most fun when you're winning."

Does stacking wins mean anything for the playoffs?

"Yes and no, to be completely honest. I think, at the end of the day — at the end of the season when you're not in the playoffs — it's more about character on your part, and finishing the season as an organization. That's one way to look at it."

With next week being an opportunity to break your own record for catches, is that going to be in the back of your mind?

"I didn't even know I was close."

You're the first player to have have recorded 80 receptions, 1000 yards and seven touchdown receptions in his first five years. What does that mean?

"It's a blessing. It's a great opportunity — a great position (to be in with) great guys around me and a great organization. I feel like I'm in the perfect place."