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Zac Taylor All Smiles Talking About Cody Ford's Offensive Involvement Against Cardinals

Cincinnati moved the ball all kinds of ways on Sunday.
Russell Heltman|
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Dec 28, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor during the first half against the Arizona Cardinals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

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Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI — Cody Ford became the star of Sunday's game after his 21-yard reception in the second half helped set up a touchdown in the Bengals' 37-14 win over Arizona.

Zac Taylor had the play in his playbook for one week, liked how it looked in practice (Ford caught it every time), and let it fly with Cincinnati up big. Although there was no chance the big fella was getting another touch near the goal line.

Cincinnati moved to 6-10 on the 2025 campaign in a win aided by a former middle school tight end in Ford.

"Not knowing if we're gonna have Noah (Fant)," Taylor said about how the idea came together to work Ford into the game plan. "We had a lot of heavier 12-personnel groupings where he was going to be out there. And so just to keep the guys in the O-line room, keep that energy sky high. Not that I need to create anything to do that, but we practiced it. He caught it during the week, and then felt like it was the right moment to get it called."

Our Jay Morrison noted the 21-yard catch is tied for the third longest by an O-lineman since at least the 2000 season. He made the most of the moment with some nice moves.

It was a part of a crisp offensive day led by Joe Burrow's 309 passing yards and two scores.

"There's no contact really in practice," Taylor said about the yards after catch. "I was right there. I was there. I wanted him just to go down, get the four (yards), go down, put us in the second and six, and he just kept breaking tackles. It was pretty impressive."

Cincinnati is playing out the string of a frustrating season, but handling business like this is all they can do to keep their heads high. Joe Burrow and the team are still having "fun."

"Couldn't believe what I was watching, but it was sick," Burrow said about the post-catch moves by Ford.

Things turn to one final test this season next week at home against Cleveland, where you never know who might get into the offense next.

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Russ Heltman
RUSSELL HELTMAN

Russ Heltman is a contributor for AllBearcats and AllBengals. He is the morning host and producer for 89.3 WMKV in Cincinnati, OH.  Russ can be found on Twitter: @RussHeltman11 or you can reach him by email at Heltmandm@yahoo.com.

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