Quotes from:

Zac Taylor

Head coach

Coach, what are your thoughts about today's game as a whole?

"Frustrating. You know, it really starts with our offense getting shut out. That's not who we are. That's unacceptable. Never saw that coming. I think we had five trips to their side of the field and came away with no points. As a play caller, when you walk away with no points, there's a huge amount of accountability I've got to take for that. But it was just, overall, a very frustrating day. I think we did some things that were unorthodox on offense for us ... penalties — silly penalties — that were controllable on our end. You know, we had some possessions where we had opportunities for points and didn't walk away with anything. That was frustrating."

What were your thoughts on the team's effort?

"I thought, defensively, I saw some really good things. They pressured (Lamar Jackson). He didn't have a lot of time in the pocket. We got three or four sacks, got a turnover and had an opportunity at another one, I know. They got us on a zero beater, which was something we practiced — we were ready for it, and they still got us for a touchdown, so there was (that). We held them to (one score) in the second half, if my memory serves correctly. There was some effort. I didn't see a lack of effort; I just saw a lack of attention to detail maybe, on offense. That certainly was disappointing."

Why were there were so many dropped balls today and how big were they?

"It was everything. It wasn't just drops. I think everybody involved in the offense has to own up to that performance today."

Joe Burrow had a down demeanor on Wednesday. Did you notice anything different from this week?

"No."

You had a lot of conviction after the second Pittsburgh game that you guys would be in this to the very end. Is it stunning that there's three weeks to go and you're out of playoff contention?

"Yeah, it's frustrating to score zero points and get shut out at home. That's unacceptable. Never in a million years would I have seen that coming, you know? But that's what happened today, so now we've got to look at why that happened, and we've got to be accountable for it and keep moving forward."

Why do you think you and your group of coaches along with the current administration are the right people to lead this franchise at this time?

"I believe in everybody we've got."

You were down 17-0 and the drive that ended in an interception for a touchdown for Baltimore took about eight-plus minutes off the clock. Was there anything you could have done as a team to speed that drive up?

"We had some personnel issues certainly, with some injuries that we were trying to balance there. (We had) moments where we went tempo, (and) moments where we decided to huddle and try to make sure we got points on the board."

How tough is it to be eliminated from playoff contention with three weeks to go?

"It's frustrating. This is a team that I thought was a talented team that was going to have a chance to do big things this year."

What was your message to the team after today's game?

"Very similar."

Was Joe Burrow sharp in practice this week?

"Yes"

How do you feel like he played today?

"I'll let him speak to that, but t I know that there are some plays that he's going to want to (take) back."

Two weeks ago, the team seemed ready to do anything at will against the Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. Did anything surprise you today?

"I wouldn't say that. I would say it may have looked easier than it really was (on Thanksgiving). Our defense had five turnovers — five to nothing. Early on, we kicked field goals in that game when you would like to come away with touchdowns — they (the Ravens) made it really hard. So we knew people were going to say that we won how we won, and that was easy for us. It wasn't. It was far from easy. We scored on two third downs in that game for touchdowns.

"So we knew that this game was going to be very difficult. We put a lot of time and effort into the plan and practice. I got to today feeling really good about where we're at. And again, I'm not going to say that there is a single area, particularly on offense, that we're going to say that was nearly good enough. It wasn't even close to good enough — anywhere. Starting with me. And so that part was frustrating."

Why is complementary football difficult for this team despite the season?

"Yeah, that's a hard one for me to answer. That hasn't been good enough."

Where do go from here with three games left and no playoff contention?

"Find a way to win. Just approach every single week as if we're still in it, so guys have something to play for. And that's our responsibility, and that's what we're going to continue to do."

Aside from overall wins, what would you like to see the most from the guys as you finish off the season?

"Wins would be the No.1 thing."

What did you see from your guys this week? Obviously, you had big playoff hopes coming in. This was a big game ...

"Yeah, it was important to everybody. I didn't see anything. Again, if you told me our defense was going to sack him (Lamar Jackson) as many times (as it did), harass him in the pocket, create a turnover, and holding three points the second half — I'd sign up for that. Again, just wholesale, as a team, we weren't good enough today."

Fans are going to want to, obviously, see some changes over the next three weeks or so, giving them hope for 2026. What is your message to the fans?

"Just hang in there with us. It's been frustrating. We're still pouring our heart and soul into this thing and finding a way to win. It's been a frustrating season. I understand that."

Just a follow up on that. What's your big picture? With three years of not making the playoffs, what would you like to say to the fans that would give them a vote of confidence that you guys can get this right and they won't be feeling like this next year?

"I have great confidence. We come to work every single day. I believe in the guys we have in this locker room — coaches and players. It's frustrating. It's been a frustrating season so far. We still have a couple games left."

Why was Joe Burrow in for that last possession?

"Tough. We just ended (a drive with a) pick six. We didn't give (Joe) Flacco any time to warm up in zero-degree temperature, basically. So, we tried to manage it —just hand the ball off, or quick-game things that would keep him (Joe Burrow) out of harm's way. Obviously, a tough spot to be in. I'd say if it was anything other than zero degrees, we probably would have quickly made the change and forego the warmup. But again, just tried, as we called it, to keep him out of harm's way. With just any throw we made, that ball was coming out quick."

You're officially eliminated ... how do you keep players' heads in it for the last three weeks?

"They're professionals, and that's why you build the locker room the way you do it — so that you don't have to worry about guys like that. Guys know how important this is, for themselves and their career. But for all the work this team has put in and through good times and bad, go out there and put your best foot forward. I absolutely trust that these guys will do that."

**JOE BURROW**

Quarterback

What are your overall thoughts on today?

"When your quarterback plays like that, your team is not going to have a chance to win. I'm obviously disappointed in my play today, so I have to be better."

Your comments Wednesday about not having fun playing football — do you still enjoy playing football for the Bengals?

"My comments had nothing to do with Cincinnati. They had everything to do with me and my mindset, and football."

Do you think that mindset impacted today?

"Not at all."

Three years of missing the playoffs, do you still have confidence in the front office and coaching staff?

"A lot of confidence."

Why?

"Because I know how hard people work at it, and we have the right people. It starts with players playing better, and today it was me."

A lot of fans will disagree. Why do you still have that confidence?

"This is a team effort at the end of the day. Players have to play better on the field. Today, it was me. I have to be better."

What could you have done better today?

"Everything."

Why was it so tough today?

"They were getting good pressure. Some uncharacteristic mental mistakes on my end, and some unforced errors."

Was that anything to do with the mindset?

"No."

Take us through the deep throw to Ja'Marr Chase that was incomplete, and then the interception ...

"On the go (route), I felt good about where I put it. He got tugged a little. Sometimes you get those calls, sometimes you don't. I felt good about where I put that one. On the interception, I was a bit high."

What were you thinking when going out there after the pick-six?

"At that point it was over, so just protect yourself."

Do you still want to play the last three games?

"I do."

Why has complementary football been so hard to find for this team this year?

"Because we haven't been a good football team. Bad football teams do losing things. If you're wanting to compete for championships and be in the playoffs, then number one, your quarterback needs to play better than I did today."

How far does the gap feel between this team and what's expected of a championship level team?

"Not that far."

Is this the worst you've felt after a loss?

"I mean, losing sucks."

Do you feel there's too much weight on you, that if you're not perfect, the team is good enough around you to pick you up?

"I want everything on my plate. That's the position I want to be in. I feel confident in all those guys in the locker room. Like I said, there's not a team in the NFL that would've won the game today if I was the quarterback."

The team's record is heading in the wrong direction. Do you think your play is slipping down the slope in the wrong direction over the last couple of years?

"No, I feel very confident how I play. Obviously today, in my opinion, is an outlier. I think I've been consistently great for years and years and years."

Did the Ravens change up the pressure today compared to Thanksgiving's game?

"They blitzed less. Their front four were able to get a little more pressure, so credit to them."

On the first sack that was the 15-yarder, what happened there?

"A mental mistake by me."

Was it the same thing on the pick-six? It looked like it was a similar pressure ...

"I'll have to see the film on that one."

This is the hardest you've been on yourself after a game. Why?

"I mean, I think this is one of the worst games I've played. I'm honest with myself and my play. I hold myself to a high standard and today didn't come close."

With the playoffs off the table now, how tough will it be to get into that mindset to win again?

"Not very tough."

You talked about mental mistakes. On the first play of the game, was that a pre-snap mistake?

"I made the wrong call."

TED KARRAS

Center

What did Baltimore do well today on defense?

"Finish in the red zone with turnovers and knocked us out of field goal range. Zero points (is) ridiculous."

Those first couple of drives where you didn't come up with any points, how much of a momentum swing was it for them?

"The defense gave up 17 points. It should be enough to beat the Baltimore Ravens. Not good enough."

Third downs were great last week but were a struggle today. Did anything standout?

"Not yet. I'm going to go home and watch. But didn't convert enough obviously, and didn't score enough points."

How big of a factor was the weather?

"Non-factor."

You just gut it out?

"Yeah."

You guys beat them two weeks ago. How did that factor today? Were they hell-bent on beating you guys?

"I'm sure they were. So were we. They executed better than we did and won the football game 24-0. Got to go take a look at it, and we have three weeks left to do something."

What is the goal for the final three weeks?

"Win."

It's hard to imagine a game where the offense doesn't score. How does that strike you?

"Doesn't strike me well. Zero points, unacceptable at any level of football, in the NFL, with the most dynamic offense. We've got to go take a look at it and get ready for Miami."

**MYLES MURPHY**

Defensive End

How difficult were the playing conditions today for both sides?

"Of course it's cold, but it's just the conditions. It's what you signed up for, football in any weather. Got to bear with it and play your keys, play the run, rush the passer, do what we can as a defense."

Big plays hurt you guys. Did you feel like that was the biggest problem on defense?

"Yes. Limiting the explosives there. They're an explosive team, they've got guys all over at quarterback, O-Line, running back, receivers — you've got to do what you can to limit the explosives. I felt like we did a good job against the run and a couple contains, got pressure on them, but it was just the explosives. I was one of them that gave up one of the explosives. Those are just things that can't happen."

Was that on the first touchdown?

"Yeah. I was supposed to take that one right there and that's something that just can't happen to me or anyone. It just can't happen to give up those bad explosive plays."

It felt like you guys had some opportunities and then they had two scores to swing the momentum. How did you guys feel about that just from a momentum standpoint?

"We as a defense try to approach every possession the same, like we need to get the ball there for our offense because we know our offense, just like them, has explosive guys. All they need is a chance. That's what we try to do for our offense, give them a chance. That's the only thing we can do, just let us do our job and continue to give Joe (Burrow) the ball. That's all we want to do and can do."

Where do you guys stand with three weeks to go?

"Same deal, next week is the biggest game of the year. That's my mindset. I feel like that's the entire defense's mindset going into next week. Set the mind, attack, stop the run, get after the quarterback — nothing changes. We're not just going to sit back and let whatever happens to us. We're still going to attack, set edges, do what we can to show everyone what Bengals football is."

**JORDAN BATTLE**

Safety

What happened on your interception?

"He dropped the ball and obviously I caught it."

I know this is disappointing. What are you feeling right now?

"This is kind of frustrating. It's kind of hard. I hate losing. I've been winning my whole life, going through high school and college. I've not been a guy to be a loser. Given the circumstances, I feel like we've got to go out and see what we can do the next few games and see who we are — who we are as teammates — and get some wins."

What would it mean for this team to at least get some wins to finish out the season?

"Obviously, winning makes the record look better, and then seeing how we are as a team. I know it's easy to say the season is over and to not go out there and play hard, but it's that time to see how our character is the next few games, and just go out there and give it 100 percent."

**JA'MARR CHASE**

Wide Receiver

Where do you think this game got away today and why was it so hard to create offense?

"Just wasn't executing a little bit and pushing the ball downfield, and not getting a rhythm. I got a slant on the first series that put us in position to get a field goal, and I put that on myself for dropping that pass."

On the next drive, you got twisted around. What happened there?

"He did some sneaky (stuff) that was good for him ... and it caused me to jerk my body enough in two ways, and I just couldn't find the ball."

Joe Burrow was especially hard on himself in his media availability, saying it was one of the worst games he ever played. What were your thoughts on Joe's play?

"I've known Joe for a long time. I know what he's capable of. I know when he's off, I know when he's on, and I need to find a way to help him if he's off. I've got to be there for him and encourage him. You know what I'm saying? Just do what I can for him."

You had a couple 30-yard catches. Was it Baltimore's plan to prioritize taking away the deep ball?

"I'm not sure what their plan was today, but I'm sure it was not for us to score."

What's it like to see Joe Burrow like this after a game?

"He just wants to be great. At the end of the day, I have to respect that from him. I'm not going to let him kill himself mentally by just one game."

How hard is it to accept that you're officially eliminated from making the postseason?

"At the end of the day, we've got to live with it."

Why has complimentary football been so tough for you this year?

"Crappy starts, like today. That doesn't mean nothing. At the end of the day, you still have for yourself the opportunity with the close games, and (we) didn't (do it). We have to find a way to executive moving forward."

Do you still believe in this coaching staff?

"Yeah. We had great plays today that gave us great opportunities to score and kill them deep, but sometimes we didn't connect, and so be it."

After missing the playoffs for three straight seasons, what changes would you want to see?

"If I had a say-so, I don't know what it would be. I can just control what I can control."

How do you treat these last three games having been eliminated from the postseason?

"Just try to a leader. Be a captain."

What kind of attitude do you want to see?

"Just finish strong at this point. Come in, just keep pushing and finish strong."

Three years ago when you left Arrowhead, if I'd told you that you wouldn't be back in the playoffs since then, what would your reaction have been?

"I probably wouldn't believe you."

With so much on the line, did you feel the team was mentally ready to play Baltimore today?

"I believe we felt mentally prepared. It's the best-of-the-best at the end of the day. Sometimes you get your butt whipped."

What do you say to Joe Burrow to lift his spirits?

"I've never been in this situation where I have to uplift him, but going forward I might need to. He does it to me at the end of the day. You never know what he might be going through, so I might need to start doing that."

The bottom line is winning and losing. Because of the shutout, does that make it worse?

"To be honest, I'd rather get blown out than it being a close game."

**ORLANDO BROWN JR.**

Offensive Tackle

Joe Burrow put a lot of this on him today. Your thoughts?

"It's a 100-percent team effort. So many things go into winning a football game. It's not just is our quarterback playing well, (it's) our defense playing well — so many things have to go together. Today's loss just isn't on him. (We had) zero points offensively. We've all got a hand in that. Whatever that is, we'll watch the film, learn from the mistakes that we made, focus on that and make sure those things don't happen again. It's never just one thing."

You know what this locker room has. To be a third straight year missing the playoffs, how surprising is that?

"It is surprising. We spent a lot of time in the offseason, we spent a lot of time bonding as a team and growing ... so anytime you don't get the opportunity to be in the dance, it's frustrating. It sucks, man. It puts everybody in a difficult spot."

Do you think you're close to being back in position as a playoff team?

"Definitely. In the NFL, a lot of teams are close. In this league, the way it's set up, it's designed for everyone to have an even playing field. The way the draft works, the waiver wire, the cap. What's it take to win a Super Bowl? It's a whole building. It's a whole set of players focused on the task at hand. It's one day at a time. You can't win the Super Bowl in September, and you can't win it in April. You have to go win it when the game is played in February."