Bengals' Taylor Defends Al Golden After Collapse

Cincinnati's defense has collapsed through nine games, allowing the most points and yards in the NFL and surrendering 86 points and more than 1,000 yards in back-to-back losses, with analytics showing one of the worst DVOA marks since 1978 and an alarming number of missed tackles. Al Golden, hired as defensive coordinator in February after success at Notre Dame, has publicly taken responsibility and said the unit's scheme and fundamentals must be re-examined. Head coach Zac Taylor has ruled out defensive-staff changes during the Week 10 bye, insisting he trusts Golden and that the staff is "working like crazy," comments echoed by several defenders. Frustration inside and outside the organization has grown after dramatic collapses, including a 47-42 loss to the Bears decided by Colston Loveland's 58-yard game-winning touchdown, and calls for Golden's firing have intensified. Golden warns that nothing is off the table scheme-wise and concedes he must do better as the Bengals search for fixes to salvage the second half of the season.