Al Golden’s Passion Shines After Bengals’ Impressive Goal-Line Stand
CINCINNATI – In a display of raw emotion and unbridled enthusiasm, Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Al Golden found himself swept up in the moment once again this week. Following a monumental defensive performance, his reaction was a welcome departure from his typically composed demeanor. The Bengals faced off against the New England Patriots, and while they ultimately fell 26-20, Golden’s celebration after a remarkable goal-line stand in the third quarter was certainly justified.
High Stakes in the Red Zone
With the Bengals trailing 17-13, the Patriots mounted an aggressive assault, orchestrating eight consecutive plays from within the 5-yard line, six of which were from the 1-yard line. Despite being handed a fresh set of downs due to a pass interference penalty on Dax Hill, the Bengals’ defense stood resolute. A critical fourth-and-goal run attempt by Rhamondre Stevenson was thwarted, thanks to stalwart efforts from Joseph Ossai and Myles Murphy. This pivotal moment prompted Golden to dash onto the field, his excitement palpable as he congratulated players who had just showcased their grit.
“It’s just exciting to see them compete and fight the way they did,” Golden reflected the following day. “When you’re building it, when you’re developing it, when you’re trying to grow as a defense, those are big building blocks. Because that becomes part of their DNA.”
Building Momentum with Defensive Cohesion
The Bengals’ defensive unit demonstrated their mettle once more just minutes later. After the initial goal-line stand, the Patriots found themselves in a similar situation, this time with a first and goal at the 4-yard line. The Bengals again rose to the occasion, forcing an incomplete pass and a short run before New England had to settle for a 19-yard field goal, extending their lead to 23-13.
“Everybody was just hyped like, ‘We’re gonna make a statement right now,’ from young guys to old guys,” defensive tackle Kris Jenkins noted. “And you saw that happen. It was awesome.”
This resilience is a stark contrast to the Bengals’ struggles from the previous season, where they allowed touchdowns on 82.9 percent of goal-to-go attempts, ranking them 26th in the league. In stark comparison, this year, they have improved significantly, allowing conversions only 65 percent of the time, placing them fifth best in the NFL. Over the last two weeks, their red zone defense has been even more impressive, with the Steelers converting just once on two attempts and the Patriots failing on both of theirs.
Setting New Standards
Defensive end Myles Murphy emphasized the importance of this newfound standard, stating, “That’s the new standard we need to create. That’s our floor, not our ceiling.” This sentiment reflects the determination within the team to build on their recent successes, despite challenges like the absence of All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who has missed the last three games.
Golden underscored the collective effort of the defensive unit, crediting their leadership at all levels. “We’re getting great leadership from all three levels. The leaders have stepped up,” he said. “There’s no bigger indication of the culture and what’s inside them than to sit there for nine straight plays and battle the way they did.”
A Season of Improvement
The Bengals also managed to break a turnover drought that lasted three games, as Geno Stone returned an interception for a touchdown. Golden highlighted a near-miss shortly thereafter, when a fumbled ball bounced back into the arms of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye after a punch-out by Jenkins. “It was unfortunate,” he remarked.
While tackling has been a recurring issue for the Bengals this season, Golden noted that this was their best performance in that aspect thus far. Pro Football Focus recorded a season-low six missed tackles, while Sport Radar noted just three. Rookie Barrett Carter, who had not started until Week 6, achieved a career-high 16 tackles without missing any, the second-most for a Bengals rookie since 1994.
Golden praised Stone’s determination in improving his tackling technique, which had previously hindered his performance. “He really spent last week working on the one thing that was holding him back,” he said, emphasizing the need for continual improvement.
Defensive Development
As the season unfolds, it’s clear that the Bengals’ defense is evolving. With players like Stone and Battle significantly enhancing their games, the team is beginning to eliminate explosive plays and tighten their overall performance. Golden noted that the tackle Battle made on the first play of New England’s final drive was particularly impressive, as it prevented a potential game-ending touchdown.
“When that ball gets to the post safety, it’s not a good feeling,” Golden remarked. “That’s one of the best tackles I’ve seen from Jordan, from my time scouting him, last year, and then me watching him practice and play this year.”
As the Bengals continue to work on their defensive cohesion, the individual and collective growth of their players stands as a testament to Golden’s coaching and the team’s resolve to rise from their struggles.
