Cincinnati Bengals' Zac Taylor rewards team's patience with first playoff win in 31 years

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The first playoff win for the Bengalers since 1991 was sealed with an in-game defensive play.

Germaine Pratt picks off Carr to push the Bengal's past the Raiders and into the divisional round of the playoffs. (0:36)

10:48 PM

After just six wins in his first two years as the head coach, the Cincinnati Bengals showed patience with him.

Taylor said the opportunity to coach a third season, one that produced an AFC North title and the franchise's first playoff win in 31 years, likely wouldn't have happened elsewhere in the NFL.

Taylor said that he wouldn't be here in the third year if he were a coach at another organization. "That's the truth."

Taylor said he gave the game ball to Brown, who stuck with him after two seasons filled with losses. The third-year coach said he and the coaching staff owe a lot to Brown for the patience he showed despite 26 losses in their first two campaigns.

Brown issued a statement saying the franchise was "bullish" on Taylor's future after the team went 4-11-1 in 2020.

Brown said in the January 2020 statement that they were not discouraged but were confident that next year would benefit from the work done to date. "We must take advantage of the opportunities in front of us."

Taylor was rewarded for that patience by leading the Cincinnati to their first playoff spot and the title of the AFC North.

When the Bengal drafted quarterback Joe Burrow with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft, their fortunes were boosted. After the win over Kansas City in Week 17 solidified his belief in the coach, Burrow met at the league's scouting combine to discuss his opinion of the coach.

"I knew where I wanted to be and what kind of coach we had," he said. He's a great leader of men. He does a great job, and I couldn't have asked for a better situation.

Before he left the interview room, C.J. Uzomah made a point to praise Taylor. The culture that Taylor and the staff have created in Cincinnati was a key factor in the success.

The players have to show why Taylor should win the award.

"We will have to prove it and win a Super Bowl," Uzomah said.