Chiefs Veteran Rips Into Zac Taylor’s Playoffs Warning as Joe Burrow Demands Andy Reid’s Help vs. Broncos

The NFL playoff race has a way of turning even the most self-assured teams into scoreboard-watchers. That’s exactly where Zac Taylor’s Cincinnati Bengals find themselves this week—hoping for an outcome they can’t control, pinned between anticipation and uncertainty.

For a team that barely scraped by a struggling Pittsburgh Steelers, this sudden dependence on a rival’s game adds a strange layer of tension to their postseason hopes. But the drama doesn’t end with the game outcomes. A bold statement from Bengals head coach Zac Taylor after the win over Pittsburgh seemed to stir the pot even more. Was it a sign of confidence, or something else? The response from Kansas City was swift, and it made waves across the league.

Mitchell Schwartz, summarized the league mood perfectly: “Yes, beating Pitt by 2 in a must-win game only for you when Pitt had 4 huge drops, a terrible 2-minute decision by the QB, other missed throws, and a ridiculous offensive gameplan has everyone else in the league shaking in their boots.” If Taylor wanted to scare off playoff candidates, it did not yield shivers but more eye-rolls.

Zac Taylor’s postgame declaration was intended to be the antidote, but it came flying out of the gate. He was not the right sort of guy for a team that could only eke past a slumping Steelers team. That game was hardly the Bengals’ genius; it was Pittsburgh’s demise: four late interceptions, a dumb two-minute routine, a scheme fans couldn’t quite wrap their heads around.

This hasn’t been without drama as HC Taylor said unexpectedly in a postgame comment following the Steelers game: “They are not going to want us in this tournament. I promise you” But his optimism hasn’t been particularly contagious with adapting to a season that didn’t go according to plan.

This isn’t the Bengals team that romped to the Super Bowl two years ago. Cincinnati has had injuries, inconsistent play, and an AFC loaded with young talent all leave them scratching their heads. Taylor’s exaggeration might have been meant to energize his unit, but outside the Bengals’ tunnel, it came in with a bang.

Joe Burrow’s honest admission post HC Taylor’s bold claim

Joe Burrow, the ever-unflappable face of the Bengals, didn’t shy away from the awkward reality they’re facing. “I wouldn’t say it’s weird (cheering for the Chiefs),” Burrow admitted with his usual calm. “We know the situation. I don’t know how many guys are playing for them—hopefully some—but we’ll see.” Translation? Fingers crossed, Kansas City, don’t mess this up for us.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for a guy who’s used to being the one under the spotlight, making magic happen on the field. But now, Burrow and the Bengals find themselves in the unusual role of passive spectators, counting on Patrick Mahomes and Co. to do them a solid against the Broncos. From Super Bowl contenders to scoreboard watchers—2023 really said, “Plot twist!”

Burrow’s words carry a mix of humility and hard truth. Sure, it’s not “weird” to root for another team, but it’s not exactly the victory parade Bengals fans envisioned when the season started, either. The Bengals went from owning their playoff destiny to needing a miracle—or, in this case, a Kansas City masterclass. Somewhere, Zac Taylor is probably binge-watching Mahomes highlights and sending him good vibes.

Ultimately, Burrow’s comments are a mirror for the Bengals’ turbulent season. This isn’t just about cheering for the Chiefs; it’s about reconciling with a year that’s gone sideways in all the worst ways. But if there’s one thing Cincinnati does well, it’s embracing the chaos. Who knows? Maybe a little Chiefs magic is all they need to stay alive.