Bengals News (9/23): Digging into A.J. Green’s slow start

Taylor Made Takes: Head Coach Zac Taylor talks about his team's progress after the first two weeks of the season
In his weekly conversation with Bengals.com senior writer Geoff Hobson, head coach Zac Taylor says he'll give right guard Fred Johnson another start on an offensive line he wants to keep intact for Sunday's game in Philadelphia. He's encouraged by the play of rookie quarterback Joe Burrow and believes his pocket presence and mobility has cut down on the hits and helped the line.

The Bengals week 3 matchup features head coach Zac Taylor and his younger brother, Press
"Zac would do the textbook thing. Press would make it up on his own as he would go," their father Sherwood Taylor told Bengals.com last summer of his quarterback sons. "Not do what you told him to do, but he'd have success and then say, 'See it worked the way I did it.' Zac would do it the way it was drawn up."

Bengals Travel To Philadelphia To Face The Eagles In Week 3
"I will never adjust to or accept losing," said Bengals rookie QB Joe Burrow after the game. "That is just something that is not in my mindset, so this 0-2 start is really hurting me, and I know it's hurting Coach Taylor and everybody in (the locker room). We will never adjust to losing. We will never accept losing. We are just going to have to get it right."

Bengals Donate $70,000 To Help Provide Mentorship and Resources to Student-Athletes
The goal of AAA Pathway is to help students perform at their grade level, graduate from high school and understand their options beyond high school, whether that is college, the military or the workforce. AAA Pathway also helps 11th grade and 12th grade students prepare for post-graduation, with resources such as ACT Bootcamp Training, athletic-specific college resources and more.

What to make of the slow start by Bengals' A.J. Green
In his first game action since 2018, Green, 32, is still looking to find the form that made him a seven-time Pro Bowler. That means finding a way to catch more balls thrown to him. Coming into this season, Green had caught 59.6% of his career targets. Through two games, Green's catch rate is 36.3% -- by far the lowest of his career.

Bengals: Protected practice squad players for Week 3 vs. Eagles
Morgan remains a staple of the protected list each week given his ability on special teams. Allen is a new arrival to the list this week, which makes sense given the team’s desire to have insurance at the position during the pandemic.

NFL Week 3 odds: Eagles are getting too much respect heading into Bengals game
But it’s just not easy to give the Eagles the benefit of the doubt right now. They don’t deserve it. Who’s to say Jim Schwartz’s defense won’t struggle for the second week in a row? Joe Burrow might be a rookie but he was the No. 1 overall pick for a reason. He’s shown promise thus far; PFF has him as their 20th graded quarterback. For context, Wentz is 38th.

This Week in Bengals: Reality of the offensive line and search for explosives
Joe Burrow getting hit a lot on Thursday wasn't just poor o-line play. Plus, Carl Lawson on the pass rush, Lou Anarumo's status and more.

3 Tuesday Bengals Takeaways/Fixes: Need Atkins back; run more; too many reps for Ross
Each Tuesday throughout the Bengals season I provide three takeaways from Monday press conference/media availabilities in response to what occurred in the previous Sunday's game, but with the Bengals having played last Thursday here are three things that can or should happen that may turn the team's fortunes around:

Around the league

Gale Sayers, Bears legend and Hall of Fame RB, dies at 77
"All those who love the game of football mourn the loss of one of the greatest to ever play this Game with the passing of Chicago Bears legend Gale Sayers," Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker said in a statement. "He was the very essence of a team player -- quiet, unassuming and always ready to compliment a teammate for a key block. Gale was an extraordinary man who overcame a great deal of adversity during his NFL career and life.

Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Bills QB Josh Allen among Players of the Week
For the third time in his career, Prescott has been named the NFC Player of the Week on the heels of the Dallas Cowboys' riveting 40-39 comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in America's Team's home opener. Prescott made history in the game as he became the first NFL player to record at least 400 yards passing and score three rushing touchdowns. The strong-armed Prescott completed 34 of his 47 attempts (72%) for 450 yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and a 109.4 rating. And he had added three touchdowns on the ground.

NFL Power Rankings, Week 3: A new No. 1! Steelers, Seahawks hit top 5
As a bushel of superstars exit the picture -- either temporarily or until next season -- we're bound to see big changes: In the NFL, in your fantasy league -- and yes -- here at the Power Rankings.

Bears RB Cohen: New deal 'left some money on the plate' for Allen Robinson's extension
The Bears handed Tarik Cohen a three-year contract extension, worth up to $18.25 million. The deal came as a semi-surprise, not because Cohen didn't deserve a raise, but rather because the contract news we expected out of Halas Hall had to do with Allen Robinson.

Wednesday's NFL injury and roster news for Week 3
Shepard injured his foot in Sunday's loss in Chicago on a reception late in the second quarter. After hobbling to the sideline, the wideout attempted to return in the second half but was ruled out after just one play.