Zac Taylor enters Bengals season opener with poor track record
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 12:20 AM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor faces the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a Week 1 matchup this Sunday while looking to improve his career record in season openers. Since taking the role in 2019, Taylor has accumulated a 2-5 record, giving him a.286 winning percentage that ranks among the lowest for NFL coaches with at least five opening games. This history contrasts sharply with Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, who maintains a 6-2 record in Week 1 games. Tampa Bay enters the contest riding a five-game season-opening winning streak, tied for the longest active run in the league. The Bengals have not secured consecutive Week 1 victories since a three-year stretch from 2014 through 2016. Taylor remains tied with former coach Bruce Coslet for the team's historical mark in season debuts.
- •Zac Taylor holds a 2-5 record in season openers as Bengals head coach.
- •Todd Bowles is 6-2 in his career during Week 1 games.
- •The Buccaneers have won five consecutive season openers.
- •The Bengals have not won back-to-back Week 1 games since 2016.
- 12:20 AMYahoo Sports — Taylor, Bengals know there is still plenty of room for improvement despite 1-0 start
- 8:01 PMYahoo Sports — Bengals’ Zac Taylor carries troubling record into season opener
"Zac Taylor was still pleased on Monday after Cincinnati's 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay. Taylor and the Bengals are also aware that fast starts aren't always an indicator of success, and that things can come undone very quickly. Cincinnati won its first two games last season, but then dropped eight of nine when Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2.
"Bengals coach Zac Taylor heads into Week 1 against the Buccaneers with a 2-5 record in season openers, one of the NFL’s lowest marks.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 15, 2026, 12:20 AMTaylor, Bengals know there is still plenty of room for improvement despite 1-0 start
Zac Taylor was still pleased on Monday after Cincinnati's 33-27 victory over Tampa Bay. Taylor and the Bengals are also aware that fast starts aren't always an indicator of success, and that things can come undone very quickly. Cincinnati won its first two games last season, but then dropped eight of nine when Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2.
- Yahoo SportsSep 12, 2026, 8:01 PMBengals’ Zac Taylor carries troubling record into season opener
Bengals coach Zac Taylor heads into Week 1 against the Buccaneers with a 2-5 record in season openers, one of the NFL’s lowest marks.
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