CINCINNATI — Following another narrow defeat, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed that this season has been the most challenging of his NFL career. When questioned about the frustrations, he stated, “Self-explanatory,” highlighting the team’s issues clearly.
Despite Burrow’s impressive performance on the field, making remarkable throws on the run and evading defenders, the Bengals find themselves struggling to secure wins. They head into the bye week with a record of 4-7, facing a potential second consecutive season devoid of playoff contention. To have any hope of reaching the postseason, the Bengals likely need to clinch victories in all six remaining games.
Although Burrow continues to lead the league with 274 completions, 3,028 passing yards, and 27 touchdowns, he is still recovering from surgery on his throwing hand. He has made history by becoming the first quarterback to throw for over 300 yards along with three touchdowns and no interceptions in back-to-back losses.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase is also having a remarkable season, currently leading the league with 1,056 receiving yards, 481 yards after the catch, and 12 touchdowns, while edge rusher Trey Hendrickson tops the NFL with 11.5 sacks. Nevertheless, the Bengals have struggled with turnovers, inconsistency in the secondary, injuries affecting both offensive and defensive lines, and a kicker battling confidence issues. Their rushing game ranks among the six weakest in the league.
The stats are grim, with six of the Bengals’ seven defeats being by one score. Notably, five of those losses were by six points or fewer. They experienced a heartbreaking one-point loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who are the reigning Super Bowl champions, and were edged out in both games against the AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens by one point as well.
The team was defeated by Kansas City on a last-second 51-yard field goal. They also lost to Washington by three points, despite Burrow’s impressive performance of 324 yards and three touchdowns. In an overtime thriller against the Ravens, Cincinnati fell 41-38 after missed a potential game-winner by kicker Evan McPherson. In the second matchup, the Bengals had a late-game score but failed on a critical 2-point conversion attempt.
Last Sunday, McPherson missed two second-half field goals that could have potentially turned the game in the Bengals’ favor, culminating in a 34-27 loss to the Chargers. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor commented on the struggles, stating, “They just made one more play than we did. That’s been the story of our season so far.” Nonetheless, he believes there remains hope, stating, “By no stretch is our season over. We have a chance to use a bye week to regroup.”
Injuries have significantly impacted the Bengals’ performance this season. Replacing right tackle Trent Brown, who suffered a knee injury in Week 3, rookie Amarius Mims stepped up. Unfortunately, starting left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. followed suit with his own knee and fibula injuries. Additionally, defensive linemen B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins have faced their own setbacks due to injuries and illness, while cornerback DJ Turner II has been placed on injured reserve after fracturing his clavicle.
Cincinnati’s victories have primarily come against teams with losing records, and Taylor has expressed frustrations in explaining why they struggle against stronger opponents. “I can’t. I wish I could,” he lamented. “It’s sick how these games are ending, and it feels disheartening leaving the field each week.”
The bye week offers a much-needed opportunity for healing within the Bengals’ roster. “It gives us a chance to recover,” Taylor mentioned. “We do not require significant changes—every lost game has come down to the wire. We need to figure out how to finish and build some momentum for ourselves.”
Looking ahead, the Bengals have an uphill battle. They still must face the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers twice, along with matchups against the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos.