The Cincinnati Bengals came up just short against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday, and Zac Taylor is facing some criticism for his play-calling late in the game.
The Bengals got the ball with 1:25 remaining in the game after L.A. scored a touchdown to take a 23-20 lead. They had plenty of time and two timeouts, but they picked up just one first down before turning the ball over on downs. Taylor’s first puzzling decision came when he called for a run up the gut with Semaje Perine on third-and-1. Perine was predictably stuffed by Aaron Donald.
It’s unclear why Joe Mixon wasn’t on the field. Mixon had a Pro Bowl season and was one of Cincinnati’s best playmakers all season. Perine had 55 carries during the regular season and averaged 3.9 yards per attempt. He finished the Super Bowl with zero yards on two carries compared to Mixon’s 72 yards on 15 rushes. Calling Perine’s number in that situation was inexcusable.
Taylor then called a pass play on fourth-and-1. The Bengals needed less than a yard, so stacking the line and running a sneak probably would have been the smart move. Instead, Joe Burrow ended up throwing an incomplete pass. The ball was intended for Perine, who took some heat for not diving.
Taylor was roasted on social media for the calls.
The losing coach is always going to be second-guessed, but that sequence certainly was not Taylor’s best. While he had a gutsy call earlier in the game that paid off in a big way (video here), the questionable play calls late are the ones that will stick with people.
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