After loss, Bengals make staff changes

Marvin Lewis got the Bengals’ head coaching job because of his reputation for defensive excellence. He’s now in charge of trying to resuscitate a historically bad unit and pulling the team’s season back from the brink.

The Bengals fired defensive coordinator Teryl Austin on Monday, a day after a 51-14 loss to the Saints that ranks among the worst in franchise history. The Saints scored on every possession except the last one — when it took a knee while in field-goal range — during its rout at Paul Brown Stadium.

The fading Bengals (5-4) fired a coordinator in midstream for the second season in a row.

And it’s up to Lewis to get hands-on and try to fix the mess while filling two roles at once.

“Teryl worked very hard, but I just felt like we have to rock their world, shake things up,” Lewis said.

The Bengals have given up at least 500 yards in three straight games — a first in the Super Bowl era — and are on pace to give up an NFL record for yards in a season.

NFL Network reported Monday night that Lewis will bring in former Browns head coach Hue Jackson to serve in some capacity on the staff.

Jackson, 53, never has coached defense, but he spent two stints as a Bengals offensive and special teams assistant under Lewis.

Bowles still Jets coach:

Todd Bowles is staying put as coach of the Jets.

For now, at least.

It was business as usual Monday for Bowles, whose job status appeared extremely shaky after the Jets’ embarrassing 41-10 loss to the Bills on Sunday, their fourth consecutive defeat that dropped the team to 3-7.

“We picked a bad day to have a bad day,” Bowles said during a conference call.

Several published stories speculated that the time to make a change would be now with the Jets heading into their off week.

Instead, owner Christopher Johnson opted to not fire Bowles, who’s 23-35 with a .397 winning percentage.

Rams lose WR Kupp: Receiver Cooper Kupp will miss the rest of the season after tearing a ligament in his left knee during Sunday’s 36-31 win over the Seahawks.

Coach Sean McVay confirmed the ACL injury for Kupp, who led the Rams in yards receiving last season. Kupp likely will undergo surgery this week.

“It’s a huge loss for our football team,” McVay said. “... It’s tough, but fortunately we’ve got guys that are ready to step up.”

Kupp has 40 catches for 566 yards and six touchdowns this season, providing reliable hands in the slot and a knack for big catches.

Extra points: Chargers LB Denzel Perryman will miss the rest of the season after injuring the LCL in his left knee during Sunday’s win over the Raiders. ... Jaguars C Brandon Linder will undergo seasonending surgery after injuring his right knee during Sunday’s loss to the Colts . ... The Bills released QB Nathan Peterman, who began the season as the team’s starter. He threw seven INTs in 81 pass attempts.