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.
