Following the Cincinnati Bengals' 41-38 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were critical of the offense's play-calling in OT.
Both players agreed that the Bengals should have been "a little bit more aggressive in the first and second downs," and rightfully so.
Cincinnati was given a great opportunity to win the game after Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled the ball near midfield.However, instead of putting itself in a better scoring position, the team ran the ball three straight times for just three yards.
The Bengals then attempted a 53-yard field goal, but kicker Evan McPherson missed it after holder Ryan Rekhow couldn't get the hold down cleanly.
Baltimore's kicker Justin Tucker eventually made the game-winning 24-yard field goal just two plays later.
It was a surprising decision by Cincinnati to play so conservative because it had so much success passing the football all afternoon.
Quarterback Joe Burrow threw for 392 yards and five touchdowns, while Chase and Higgins combined for 19 catches for 276 yards and four touchdowns.
That's why head coach Zac Taylor understands his playmakers' frustrations.
"It's fine. It's after the game. It's emotional and those two guys made every single play that came to them," Taylor told reporters. "They want the opportunity to finish the game off. That doesn't bother me for one second."
Taylor must now face the daunting task of trying to turn the season around for the 1-4 Bengals. Since 1990, only 11 of 167 teams to start 1-4 have made the postseason.
For now, he is solely focused on getting better with a must-win game against the New York Giants (2-3) in Week 6.
"I have to make decisions that I'll take full blame for when they don't go our way and we lose the game," Taylor added. "That's part of my job. That's part of this profession. That's what I love about it, to be honest with you."
