Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Oct. 12 that he thinks the team's NFL Week 6 bye comes at a good time ahead of a key Week 7 divisional matchup with the Ravens in Baltimore.
"Here we are through five weeks, and we got a tremendous opportunity coming out of the bye with the divisional game to put ourselves at the top there," Taylor said. "And so, it's right in front of us ... opportunity to get healthy, get your legs back under us. I do think the bye hits really well playing after Miami.
"I mean, I've never coached (in Miami) for four years and I really thought about that. But the heat really does drain you, you know, to where I'm sure it affects you the next week. So, I'm happy for our guys to be able to recover and get
that and then get your legs back under us and start getting ready for some colder weather, which we're very familiar with and as the season gets going here.
"I do think just where our team is right now and the way that these last three games have gone down to the wire and guys playing through some stuff right now, it is a good time to get the bye and get our legs back underneath us, get some guys healthy and go full force."
Linebacker Swayze Bozeman (forearm) and tight end Tanner Hudson (pectoral muscle) suffered the only injuries of note, per Taylor. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow jammed his left thumb while taking a huge hit during the second quarter, but that doesn't appear to be an issue.
The Bengals' training staff looked at Burrow on the sideline after Burrow got plowed into by multiple Dolphins while pursuing a fumble recovery. Burrow wore a wrap on that hand after the hit.
The fumble was forced by Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
Burrow did return to the field after an interception by the Bengals' Jordan Battle.
"He's as tough as they come at the quarterback spot," Fox analyst Mark Schlereth said of Burrow during the broadcast.
Burrow also took a big hit that appeared to be late after throwing a pass late in the game, just before the Bengals settled for Evan McPherson's 26-yard field goal. Burrow tossed his helmet during a conversation with an official.
"We had our opportunities the last two weeks, but certainly this isn't Armageddon or anything," Burrow said after a Week 4 loss to Jacksonville. "We're still in a great spot and feel really good about our team."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Zac Taylor says Bengals' Week 6 bye couldn't come at a better time
