Zac Taylor explains crucial third-down run by Samaje Perine in Super Bowl LVI

Zac Taylor talked about one of the game’s most critical moments.

With the game on the line late in Super Bowl LVI, the Cincinnati Bengals offense opted for a run on third-and-short with backup running back Samaje Perine, not star running back Joe Mixon.

After the heartbreaker of a loss, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor was in front of the media trying to explain the call.

He started with this, per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic: “They were getting a little softer. Thought we could steal a first down then take some shots at the end zone.”

With seconds left and the team flirting with Evan McPherson field-goal range, Perine got stuffed for no gain, then a Burrow pass attempt fell short on 4th-and-1 to end the game.

Given the circumstances, this won’t be the last time the Bengals get asked why the highly-paid Mixon, who rushed 15 times for 72 yards on a 4.8 average, wasn’t the guy with the ball in his hands when it mattered most.

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