Joe Burrow and Zac Taylor Break Down Dominant Victory Against Arizona

The Cincinnati Bengals delivered a performance that felt like a return to form on Sunday, dismantling the Arizona Cardinals 37-14 at Paycor Stadium. Despite being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, the Bengals played with a level of energy and precision that suggests the 2026 season could see them back atop the AFC. From trick plays involving offensive linemen to historic milestones for their star quarterback and wide receiver, there was plenty for the team to discuss in the postgame press conferences.

Zac Taylor: Building Momentum for the Future

Head coach Zac Taylor was visibly pleased with how his team responded after a difficult stretch of the season. In his opening remarks, Taylor praised the collective effort, noting that the victory was a result of carrying over the energy from the previous week's win in Miami.

"Really pleased with the way our guys responded this week and played," Taylor said. "Just building off of what we thought was a good game last week. Particularly in the second half, I just challenged those guys to show up and keep that momentum going."

Taylor specifically highlighted the defensive effort, which held the Cardinals to a meager 3 for 13 on third down and limited their explosive run game. He also addressed the play of the game a 21 yard reception by offensive tackle Cody Ford. When asked if he knew it was Ford’s birthday, Taylor joked, "No. I’m not aware of people’s birthdays in general, just to be crystal clear. Always assume that I don’t know that information until after the game."

Joe Burrow: "It Was Sick"

Quarterback Joe Burrow was the architect of the blowout, finishing with a nearly flawless 81% completion rate (24 of 31) for 305 yards and two touchdowns. With this performance, Burrow tied Andy Dalton for the most 300 yard games in franchise history and matched Carson Palmer for career touchdown passes as a Bengal.

However, the quarterback was most excited about the play that went to his 345 pound protector, Cody Ford. Burrow admitted that while they had practiced the play as a bit of a joke during the week, it became a reality when the Cardinals' defense played the primary read on Ja'Marr Chase too tightly.

"I was thinking Ja'Marr, and then the safety played it pretty well. So, I just progressed outside to Cody," Burrow explained with a grin. "I couldn't believe what I was watching, but it was sick."

Burrow also touched on the significance of playing hard in games that don't affect the playoff standings. "Every time we go out there, we're putting our bodies on the line, going out and trying to prove ourselves in front of the world. Playoffs are out of the question, obviously. But anytime you step foot out there, you're playing for pride."

Ja'Marr Chase and Chase Brown: The Dynamic Duo

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase officially ended his "touchdown drought" with two scores in the win, surpassing Cris Collinsworth for the fifth most receiving yards in Bengals history. When asked about his teammate's lack of scoring in recent weeks, Burrow brushed it off: "I didn't even realize he had a touchdown drought. He’s the same guy every day. He just goes about his business and goes and produces on Sundays."

Running back Chase Brown also had a career day, racking up 141 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. Brown, who has become the focal point of the ground attack, echoed the sentiment of finishing the season strong. "I feel really good about how we're playing, just trying to finish off this season and bring all that energy into next year," Brown said.

Defensive Dominance and Special Teams

The Bengals' defense recorded four sacks on the night, including the first NFL sack for rookie Shemar Stewart. The unit effectively "harassed" the Arizona backfield, preventing the Cardinals from finding any consistency. On special teams, Evan McPherson provided one of the highlights of the first half with a 57 yard field goal, tying for the fourth longest in team history.

As the Bengals look toward their season finale against the Cleveland Browns, the message from the locker room is clear: this team is not quitting. With Burrow playing at an elite level and the defense finding its identity, the Bengals are intent on sending a message to the rest of the league that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2026.