Complements And Compliments To Defense As Bengals Savor Sunday Night Win

They supplied enough pressure to force Jones into a 57.2 passer rating, his lowest since the unbeaten Vikings got him in the opener.

“You just see everyone behind them step up as well. I thought they did a great job getting pressure on the quarterback,” said head coach Zac Taylor of his D-line. “And so, I’m just really proud of the way the defense played. The players, the coaches, the way that they fought all week, and put on a performance like this was special.”

Taylor saw the game and that’s how he doled out the game balls. He started with his defensive coordinator, Staten Island’s own Lou Anarumo. The lifelong Giants fan who went to the games with Lou Sr., and coached here for a year, had to not only hear all week his family plan for the 100-person tailgate in the parking lot, but the media give it to him daily.

But on Sunday he was waving a ball with Hill, who also got one. And Pratt. And Hendrickson. And safety Tycen Anderson, coming off an ACL and picking up where he left off last year with two tackles on special teams as their prized gunner on punt returns.

It was just the kind of complementary outing they needed. And they’re still looking for more.

“It’s team football. We haven’t played a complete game yet,” Pratt said. “Not one with all three phases with offense, defense, and special teams. Once we play that, we’ll be good.”

Hendrickson, their Pro Bowl sacker and best player on defense, thought it was a culture win. After pointing skyward to celebrate his sacks Sunday, he pointed to Hilton and Anarumo.

“It’s one of those things we need(ed) a wake-up call, but I think everybody knew at that point, Mike’s been a leader in this defense over the last four years, so when he speaks, people listen,” said Hendrickson, who now has five sacks. “But credit to Lou, credit to the execution of this defense, and playing like a family.”