Cut to the chase - Zac not playing starters in preseason was a big cause of the loss

[*Wyche'sWarrior*]

(09-12-2022, 09:51 AM)Crazyjdawg Wrote: I have not seen a single person on this forum say "Burrow played well, actually." He just isn't being torn to shreds because, I think, when a QB wins you your first playoff game in over 30 years, you give them a little more grace when they have a bad game. 

As far as blaming everyone but Joe, I think what people are saying is that, even with how poorly Joe played, we still could have (and should have) won had it not been for this person or that person doing this or that.

This isn't absolving Joe of blame so much as it is taking his poor performance as a given and going from there. 

I give you exhibit A.....


http://thebengalsboard.com/Thread-Headline-on-ESPN-Coaching-decisions-doom-Bengals?pid=1244512#pid1244512

Quote:Well Zac deserves ALL of the blame IMO.  He was the one who chose NOT to challenge a sure TD, and Im guessing he pretty much OK's a qB draw on 1st and goal from the 1 inch line.  Zac DEF should take the blame for this loss because it was his decision that absolutely took 6 points off the board and cost Cincy the game. Everything else being talked about comes down to player performance, which is never perfect. That decision to not call the challenge was the only and most costly decision that didn't require some sort of player performance or lack thereof, all it took was a simple, unforced action on Taylor....and he muffed it up. It's like having the winning lottery numbers in front of you but choosing not to use them as compared to not having them and having them randomly chosen for you. Every play is a gamble. Choosing something right there in front of you isn't.