Zac Taylor: Bengals want to create another memorable season for fans

Zac Taylor
·2 min read

It’s go time! The 2022 season is here and we’re ready to attack the new year. We feel the energy behind the team and want to keep the momentum going to create another memorable season for Bengals fans.

With success comes high expectations. That's what you want. That's why you're in this league. We have put in the work to make sure we can meet our own expectations and continue to raise our standard. It doesn't just come based on what you did the previous year. We have to keep going.

The easiest path to the playoffs is winning the division, so there is no better way to start the season than hosting an AFC North Division rival.

Aug 27, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fan cheers in the first quarter of the NFL preseason game between Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 27, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals fan cheers in the first quarter of the NFL preseason game between Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports

Home-field advantage is critical in this league and the energy of the crowd propels our team forward. We want The Jungle to be so loud it sets records. The key is knowing when to be loud. Quiet on offense, so we can communicate. Loud on defense − stomp, scream, cheer and clap. The objective is to make it as difficult as possible on opposing offenses, especially in critical third-down situations. When those big stops happen, we have to use the crowd as a catapult to capture that momentum and help us to early wins.

The support of Who Dey Nation stretches further than those who will be in the stadium. We certainly gained an appreciation for that during our playoff run when bars and restaurants across Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and far away cities were packed with Bengals fans and TVs tuned in to our games. That’s an energy you can really embrace, and we’re excited to see it again this year.

We have a talented and dynamic team that people enjoy rooting for. Our fanbase is strong and welcomes the national spotlight. We appreciate all the new fans and recognize those who have supported the team for a long time and created a positive fan environment that makes gamedays fun.

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor delivers remarks as Cincinnati Bengals fans celebrate the team's Super Bowl 56 appearance at Washington Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor delivers remarks as Cincinnati Bengals fans celebrate the team's Super Bowl 56 appearance at Washington Park in the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood of Cincinnati on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.

Cincinnati is a special place. The energy of this city and what it has brought to our team is awesome. It's up to us to make sure we match that energy and put together another season Bengals fans can be proud of.

Who Dey!

Zac Taylor is the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Zac Taylor column Bengals want to create another memorable season