The Bengals took preparations for Sunday's Ring of Honor Game (1 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) at Paycor Stadium to the practice field Wednesday, and, as expected, head coach Zac Taylor didn't want to hear the Jets are winless.
Instead, he's looking at a New York defensive line anchored by defensive tackles Quinnen Williams, rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 10 tackle in the game, and eight-year-vet Harrison Phillips. Combined with Cincy fave and former Bearcat Sauce Gardner on the corner (six passes defensed), the Jets are ninth in pass defense and smack in the middle overall at 16th.
"They've invested there. So they've got some high draft picks. Quinnen Williams he's the first one that jumps out at you," Taylor said before Wednesday's practice. " I've always liked Harrison Phillips. Their edge guys do a great job coming off the edge as well. Just starting with that front four is a problem. They get a lot out of them. They are very disruptive."
One Taylor Or Another
The Jets aren't saying if Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor is starting at quarterback, so Zac Taylor didn't have much to say, either. Tyrod has two wins over the Bengals, but the last one was five years ago. No defender still here started that game.
"They are both talented players. Capable of leading their team. Played them both a lot with different teams," Zac Taylor said. "They are both challenging. Whoever's out there is out there and you have to be ready for them … I think you have to be ready for both of them."
On Guard
And Taylor won't say what his guard combo is going to be. Last week, he hung with rookie right guard Jalen Rivers and vet left guard Dalton Risner playing for the injured rookie Dylan Fairchild, and he was rewarded with their best rush game of the year.
"I'd like to settle in, but I think we've got guys that are capable. I like where we are at," Taylor said. "I think we've got young guys that are ascending. I think we've got veterans that absolutely can get in there and get the job done, so I feel real comfortable with where we are at there.
As for Rivers, the fifth-rounder from Miami who started the last four games. Taylor said, "We like him in there as a pass protector. I think he's improving in the run game as well. Really smart guy. Really mature for a rookie. I don't really look at him that way, the way he conducts himself seems very mature. Seems like an experienced player."
More Cam Taylor-Britt
After making former starting cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt inactive last Thursday, Taylor is leaving the door open to return.
"His attitude's been good," Taylor said. "He understands what we're looking for exactly. And we'll look to see that consistency show up. And I trust that it can."
View the best photos from Bengals-Jets matchups of years past.
New York Jets' Sauce Gardner (1) defends Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Cincinnati Bengals' Isaac Curtis (85) turns away from New York Jets defenders Bobby Johnson (40) and Ken Schroy (48) on his way to a touchdown in the first quarter of AFC playoff action on Sunday, Jan. 9, 1983 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The touchdown came on a pass form Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson.
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Andre Caldwell (87) is upended by New York Jets safety Jim Leonhard (36) during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Auden Tate, left, catches a pass against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati.
WR Ja'Marr Chase (Left) and WR Tee Higgins (Right) celebrate after a touchdown on September 25th, 2022, during the Bengals week 3 game vs. the New York Jets
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Laveranues Coles (11) scores a touchdown against the New York Jets in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010, in Cincinnati.
QB Joe Namath looks to throw against the Bengals.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (85) talks to New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second quarter of an NFL football game at New Meadowlands Stadium, Thursday, Nov. 25, 2010, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson, (14) releases the ball as New York Jets' Kenny Neil (77) reaches him in Sunday playoff action in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1983.
DE Trey Hendrickson sacks QB Joe Flacco, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.
New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell (26) runs the ball against Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt (57) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Cincinnati.
New York Jets' Jarrad Davis, left, tries to tackle Cincinnati Bengals' Samaje Perine during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets Freeman McNeil (24) looks for a way around Cincinnati Bengal defenders as Bengals Ross Browner moves in from behind for the tackle during a game in 1983.
Cincinnati Bengals running back Kenny Watson (33) is tackled by New York Jets defenders Kerry Rhodes, bottom, Victor Hobson, and Hank Poteat, right, in the third quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in Cincinnati. Watson rushed for three touchdowns and 130 yards in the Bengals 38-31 win.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mike Martin ( leaps for some yardage with New York Jets linebacker Kevin McArthur behind him at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on August 16, 1986.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins (27) breaks up a pass intended for New York Jets tight end Anthony Becht (88) on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2001, at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets wide receiver Brad Smith, center, is tackled by Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph, left, and cornerback Leon Hall at an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.
DE Trey Hendrickson celebrates a play against the Jets, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022.
Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson, second from right, tackles New York Jets quarterback Mike White during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J.
New York Jets' quarterback Joe Namath (12) lets go of the ball in fourth period action, Nov. 18, 1973, against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Quarterback Joe Burrow passes the football during the second quarter against the New York Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) avoids a tackle by New York Jets free safety Jaiquawn Jarrett on his way to a six-yard touchdown reception in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2013, in Cincinnati.
The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ken Anderson (14) is stopped during the second quarter by the New York Jets' Abdul Salaam (74) and Marty Lyons (93) in New York on Sept. 13, 1981.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) looks for a receiver during an NFL football game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai (58) looks to move past New York Jets offensive tackle George Fant (76) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cincinnati Bengals won 27-12.
