Zac Taylor Criticizes Game Pause Honoring Myles Garrett
In a recent game featuring the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor expressed significant frustration over a game pause dedicated to Myles Garrett’s achievement. This came after Garrett broke the NFL’s single-season sack record, reaching 23 sacks during this match.
Zac Taylor’s Reaction to Game Pause
The incident occurred with just 5:16 remaining in the game, as the Bengals were trailing 17-12. Taylor criticized the decision to temporarily halt the match for Garrett’s celebration, stating, “There’s five minutes left in our season. We’re playing for our lives here.”
Timing of the Game Pause
Garrett made his historic sack against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, which resulted in a five-yard loss. This crucial play allowed the Browns to celebrate, while the Bengals were eager to respond quickly. Taylor mentioned, “We didn’t sub. We’re trying to be on the ball and go and play with tempo.”
Frustrations with the Officials
- Taylor noted that the umpires did not inform him during the pre-game meeting about pausing the game for record achievements.
- He expressed dissatisfaction with the officials’ decision, emphasizing that it disrupted Cincinnati’s momentum.
- The umpire held the ball, stopping the Bengals from executing their hurry-up offense.
Even after the pause, the Bengals managed to score on their next possession but ultimately lost the game on a 49-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt as time expired. While both teams had already been eliminated from postseason contention, the emotions surrounding the game pause still highlighted the competitiveness of the players.
