AFC Notes: Bengals, Browns, Steelers

Bengals

The general sense around the league is that despite an abysmal record his first two seasons, Bengals HC Zac Taylor was in no real danger of losing his job before 2021. But Cincinnati’s past two wins are still huge for Taylor as the team looks to generate optimism and show progress going into next season. 

“These guys deserve it for the work they put in. I see it every day,” Taylor said via Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer. “The world doesn’t see it because on Sundays we haven’t always had games go the way we want, but I get to see it the six other days of the week. We knew that moments like these were coming, and we’ve just got to continue to build off of it. Winning two games in a row is really insignificant in this NFL, but it is significant for us right now, just everybody seeing what we’ve been through. It means a lot to these guys and something to build off of.”

• Bengals WR Tyler Boyd and CB William Jackson are both in the concussion protocol this week. (Ben Baby)

Browns

The Browns and Steelers will face off in Week 17 in a massive game for Cleveland as they look to secure their first playoff berth in years. It’ll be a high-stakes game and Browns HC Kevin Stefanski said he’s addressed the team about that, as well as the fact they’ll be facing off against Steelers QB Mason Rudolph for the first time since the infamous brawl last season. 

“We talk about maintaining our composure in every single game, it’s nothing new to this week,” Stefanski said via Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. “We’ve got to make sure that we’re keeping the main thing the main thing and focusing on our work.”

• Per ESPN’s Jake Trotter, Stefanski said G Wyatt Teller and S Ronnie Harrison were both scheduled to practice Wednesday. 
• Browns LBs Tae Davis, Sione Takitaki and fifth-round OL Nick Harris all missed practice. (Nate Ulrich)
• The Browns are hopeful that TE Harrison Bryant and S Karl Joseph will be available for Week 17, despite being placed on the team’s COVID-19 list on Tuesday. (Trotter)

Steelers

• Per Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger said OC Randy Fichtner deserves some credit for the team’s success in the second half even if they were predominantly in the no-huddle.