Zac Taylor says his team need to be more aggressive against the Baltimore Ravens.

Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor approached Thursday night’s game in Baltimore with an aggressive mindset.

From the very first quarter, Taylor showed he was ready to take risks, opting to go for it on fourth down instead of playing it safe. Later, after a late touchdown brought them within one point, he doubled down by choosing to go for a two-point conversion rather than a tying extra point.

The call felt right in the moment, but Joe Burrow’s pass to Tanner Hudson missed its mark, and the Bengals narrowly lost, 35-34. Taylor, however, didn’t regret the decision. “We came here to win,” he said, confident that his team would bounce back from this tough result and continue pushing forward.

It was a thrilling, back-and-forth game. The Bengals once held a 21-7 lead, but the Ravens came surging back, with Lamar Jackson leading an offense that scored on their final four drives. The inability to stop Baltimore’s offense likely influenced Taylor’s choice to go for two points, knowing that if the game went to overtime, a coin toss could decide their fate.

Taylor knew he’d go for two even before the late touchdown, explaining that there was little chance they’d get another shot if they settled for a tie. Burrow and his teammates stood behind the decision, with both Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase expressing full support for their coach’s aggressive call.

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Chase was in top form, catching 11 passes for 264 yards and scoring three touchdowns, setting new records along the way. Twice, he caught long passes from Burrow, resulting in quick scores that showcased their electric connection. On the final two-point attempt, however, Burrow didn’t throw to Chase, a decision that raised questions afterward.

The two-pointer also saw some potential missed penalties, including contact to Burrow’s facemask. Still, Burrow shrugged it off, noting that such calls are rare in high-stakes moments like these. He said he’s used to not getting those calls, even if they might have made a difference.

From the game’s opening drive, Taylor made his intentions clear by going for it on fourth down instead of attempting a field goal. The aggressive choice paid off with a touchdown, setting the tone for the rest of the game. However, the Bengals only converted two of their four fourth-down attempts throughout the night.

Despite losing, Burrow and the offense felt they had done enough to win. They had held a 14-point lead, and letting it slip was frustrating, especially against a strong Ravens team led by an MVP candidate in Jackson. Reflecting on the game, Burrow expressed frustration, saying it’s tough to play well and still fall short.

Now sitting at 4-6 and ninth in the AFC, the Bengals still have a shot at a playoff spot. But Taylor and his squad know the margin for error is getting smaller with each passing week. The road ahead won’t be easy, but Taylor’s confidence in his team’s ability to respond remains steadfast.