CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals faced yet another disappointing game on Sunday, leading to discussions about potential changes in the offseason. Following a tough 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals are now almost certain to miss the playoffs for the second consecutive year, with their record sitting at 4-8. Joe Burrow had a solid performance, throwing for 309 yards and three touchdowns, but it proved insufficient for the struggling team.
“We’re sitting here in December and (still) saying we didn’t do enough to win a game,” stated Bengals center Ted Karras. “There’s a thin margin for error in the NFL. This team needs to learn to find a way to win.”
Originally filled with optimism and a healthy Burrow, Cincinnati’s season began on the wrong foot, losing their first three games and four out of five. Various injuries and critical mistakes during key moments have hindered their chances. Despite Burrow boasting one of his best seasons yet, having eclipsed 300 yards and three touchdowns in each of the last three games, the team’s defensive shortcomings have remained an issue.
The Bengals’ defense allowed 34 or more points six times this season, including four of their last five matchups. They currently hold the unwanted distinction of averaging a league-high 30.3 points allowed per game against teams with .500 or better records this season, remaining winless in those encounters at 0-7.
“We just need to find a way to get stops,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor noted. “That starts at tackling. I don’t question the effort. We need to get guys on the ground. We’ve got some solid leadership on that side of the ball and I still have faith in those players.”
The game started favorably for Cincinnati, with defensive back Cam Taylor-Britt intercepting a pass from Russell Wilson and making a 51-yard return for a touchdown, giving the Bengals an early lead. “I felt like we set the tone for the game,” remarked Mike Hilton, a cornerback for the Bengals. “We began strong, but it’s a four-quarter game and we didn’t finish.”
Wilson had an impressive outing, throwing for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns, while the Steelers amassed a total of 520 yards on the day. After Cincinnati brought the score to 27-24 with Evan McPherson’s 38-yard field goal in the third quarter, Pittsburgh swiftly responded with a touchdown reception from Pat Freiermuth.
Notably, Pittsburgh only punted once during the game, highlighting the Bengals’ struggles. This marked the fourth occasion this season where the Bengals scored over 33 points and still came away empty-handed. “It’s hard to process,” said Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. “We just can’t find a way to win.”
The turnover battle tilted in favor of the Steelers, who secured a 3-1 advantage. A pivotal moment came when Nick Herbig stripped Burrow, and Payton Wilson returned the fumble for a 21-yard touchdown, extending the Steelers’ lead to 41-24. Burrow himself contributed to the struggles with one interception and two fumbles during the game.
“I need to take better care of the ball, and that starts with me,” Burrow acknowledged. “I’ve been pleased with my ability to make plays this year, and I’m focused on improving.” Despite the defense’s evident issues, the score remained a one-possession game with just over two minutes left, but the Steelers managed to recover an onside kick and effectively ran out the clock.
“This has been a tough season,” Burrow reflected. “How we handle this will define us. We’ll learn who we can depend on moving forward and who we can’t. There’s a lot that has to change from this year; we simply haven’t performed well enough.”
