The Cincinnati Bengals suffered their first loss of the season in Week 3, falling 30-27 to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Joe Burrow and the offense played well for most of the game. However, special teams mistakes and coverage issues in the secondary cost them the game. Here are three decisions I’d like to see Zac Taylor make when the Bengals host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.
Hand Dohnte Meyers Full Control of the Return Job
Cincinnati’s decision to use Ke’Shawn Williams as a returner backfired in Pittsburgh. His fourth-quarter muffed punt gave the Steelers a chance to tie the game with a field goal. The Bengals waived him on Tuesday, leaving the return job open again.
Dohnte Meyers showed in Week 2 against the Houston Texans that he can handle the role. He has reliable hands and good vision in the open field. Williams did impress with 131 kickoff return yards against Pittsburgh, but ball security should be non-negotiable for a contending team.
Taylor should avoid rotating depth pieces or overthinking the returner position against Jacksonville. Giving Meyers both punt and kickoff return duties would provide more stability. It would also give special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons a dependable option who can secure possession and help Burrow start drives on the right foot.
Give Mitchell Tinsley More Snaps
Cincinnati entered the week with a thin wide receiver room. Andrei Iosivas is on injured reserve with a torn ligament in his thumb, while rookie Colbie Young is out with a knee injury. The Bengals signed Mitchell Tinsley from the Houston Texans’ practice squad. Taylor should not hesitate to use him right away.
Tinsley spent the 2025 season with Cincinnati and is already familiar with Dan Pitcher’s system. The 27-year-old showed his ability to separate against physical man coverage while working with Joe Burrow last summer.
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins should not have to handle more than 90% of the perimeter snaps. Giving Tinsley 25 to 30 quality snaps would keep the top two receivers fresh. It would also give Burrow another target who understands where to sit in zone coverage.
Use More Two-Tight End Personnel Packages
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With the injuries at receiver, Cincinnati could benefit from using more 12 personnel. The Bengals promoted Tanner Hudson from the practice squad, giving Taylor four active tight ends alongside Mike Gesicki, Drew Sample, and Erick All Jr.
Gesicki has already shown his value as a seam threat against the Steelers. He caught a 25-yard touchdown on fourth down against Pittsburgh. Hudson has also been a reliable third-down target for Burrow.
Pairing either tight end with Sample or All can help the Bengals in two areas. It can strengthen the run game while also creating matchup problems for Jacksonville’s linebackers.
The Jaguars have an aggressive edge rush led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. Two-tight end sets could help Cincinnati chip the edge rushers and protect Amarius Mims’ pass-blocking run. It could also give Burrow cleaner throwing lanes off play-action without relying on a depleted wide receiver rotation.
