BALTIMORE — The Cincinnati Bengals faced another heart-wrenching loss, continuing a disappointing trend that threatens their playoff aspirations, despite the stellar performances from quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
In Thursday night’s clash against the Baltimore Ravens, marking their second encounter of the season, the Bengals squandered a considerable lead, ultimately losing 35-34. The defeat dashed their hopes of pulling to a .500 record after an initial 0-3 start, following the devastating loss of a 14-point advantage in the third quarter.
In their prior game against the Ravens last month, the Bengals (4-6) had also let slip a lead, allowing a 10-point advantage to evaporate in the fourth quarter before succumbing to a 41-38 defeat in overtime.
In this latest matchup, Cincinnati initially surged ahead 21-7. However, running back Chase Brown fumbled, giving the Ravens possession at the Bengals’ 31-yard line. Just five plays later, the Ravens (7-3) capitalized by scoring a touchdown, marking the beginning of their comeback.
“Losing seven points like that with the fumble is tough,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor noted. “From there, the momentum shifted back and forth.”
As the contest continued, the teams exchanged touchdowns, but the Ravens managed to secure a one-point lead after the Bengals failed on a critical 2-point conversion with just 38 seconds left on the clock.
Burrow showcased his skills, completing 34 of 56 passes for a staggering 428 yards and four touchdowns, with three of those touchdowns going to Chase, who had an impressive 264 receiving yards on 11 receptions, scoring on plays of 67, 70, and 5 yards.
In the two matchups against the Ravens this season, Burrow amassed a remarkable 820 yards and nine touchdowns, while Chase racked up 457 yards and five touchdowns. Despite these exceptional figures, the grim reality remains: the Bengals have lost both games to their AFC North rivals. Chase expressed disbelief at the situation, stating, “It’s crazy. I would never expect us to have this record with how well we’re playing.”
The Bengals’ ongoing challenges in maintaining leads have become painfully evident. Previous losses came against Kansas City on a last-minute field goal, against Washington despite Burrow’s impressive 324 yards passing and three touchdowns, and to Philadelphia, where the Eagles finished the game with a 20-point surge.
The back-to-back collapses against Baltimore, however, stung the most. “It’s infuriating to have this happen to us twice,” Taylor lamented. “We need to learn how to seal these games.”
Chase has consistently found himself open against the Ravens, and Burrow generally knows how to connect with him. Yet, during the pivotal moment of the game, Burrow’s throw during the failed 2-point conversion missed the mark, intended for the lesser-known Tanner Hudson.
When asked if he was open during that key play, Chase replied humorously, “Yeah, I’m always open.” Despite the absence of injured wide receiver Tee Higgins, Chase remained a reliable target, while the Bengals struggled defensively against quarterback Lamar Jackson and his group of able receivers.
“It’s disheartening to lose to them,” Chase acknowledged. “But if we keep playing hard and win some games, we’ll achieve our goals.”
With only seven games remaining, the Bengals stand at a critical juncture concerning their playoff chase. Can they regroup and clinch a postseason spot?
Chase has faith. “Yeah, I do. One hundred percent. We showed tonight what we are capable of,” he stated. Yet, the consistent failure to retain a lead looms large.
“We have to find a way to make that last play that secures a win,” Taylor concluded.