The Cincinnati Bengals return home to Paycor Stadium on Sunday looking to bounce back from their 30-27 Week 3 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. As Cincinnati prepares to host the Jacksonville Jaguars, head coach Zac Taylor wants the home crowd to make an impact in the game.
The Bengals benefited from their home atmosphere in their season-opening 33-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The crowd created communication problems for Baker Mayfield and Co.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Bengals coach urged the fans to make their presence felt against the Jaguars as well.
“That extra layer of communication,” Taylor said. “Our fans were awesome Week 1 when we had Tampa here, so we need more of the same. That’s really what the home-field advantage is: making them have to communicate quickly, making them have to do it loudly, making them have to repeat.”
“And I thought Week 1, we got exactly what we needed out of our fans, and that caused them some issues that they had to account for.”
The crowd’s noise might play a huge role against Trevor Lawrence and a Jaguars offense that uses plenty of pre-snap motion, personnel adjustments, and checks at the line of scrimmage.
Zac Taylor Says Jacksonville is a Tough Opponent
The Bengals coach heaped praise on Liam Coen’s team ahead of the Week 4 game. Zac Taylor opened up about what makes the Jaguars a tough opponent.
“I think they’ve got a really good offense,” Taylor told reporters on Wednesday. “They’ve got a really good team. Well coached, well coordinated, a lot of talent.”
Taylor also praised Jacksonville’s defense, which returns most of its starting group. The Jaguars’ defensive front is led by Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. They will test a Bengals offensive line that kept Joe Burrow clean for most of Sunday’s game before the late strip-sack.
“They’ve got four really good starters that can cause you problems… Same group coming back from last year, so they’ve got experience under their belt, and it’ll be a really challenging group,” Taylor said.
Cincinnati’s defense needs to respond after giving up 14, 47, and 26-yard plays on Pittsburgh’s final scoring drive. Bengals right tackle Amarius Mims has not allowed a pressure on 111 pass-blocking snaps this season. He would fancy keeping Hines-Allen and Walker in check and maintaining his streak.
The Bengals made several roster moves to address their depth ahead of the Week 4 game. They signed wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley from the Houston Texans’ practice squad, with Andrei Iosivas on injured reserve and rookie Colbie Young out with a knee injury.
Cincinnati also promoted tight end Tanner Hudson, placed slot corner Jalen Davis on injured reserve, and released return specialist Ke’Shawn Williams after his muffed punt against Pittsburgh.
