Joe Burrow and Bengals Face Harsh Realities After Crushing Loss to Steelers
CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals’ season has gone from hopeful to heartbreaking, and Sunday’s 44-38 home loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers was another gut punch for a team that began the year with championship dreams. Quarterback Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise, sat in the postgame press conference, rubbing his chin and staring into the distance as he reflected on what’s next for a team now sitting at 4-8.
“I think we’ll learn a lot about who we have in the locker room — the guys we can count on going forward and guys that we can’t,” Burrow said, his words carrying the weight of a season that has spiraled out of control. With five games left, the Bengals’ playoff hopes are all but extinguished, and the focus has shifted to evaluating the roster for the future.
Offense Shines, Defense Struggles
Burrow and the offense did their part to keep the Bengals competitive early on. Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase for a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter, giving Cincinnati a 21-14 lead. Chase, who leads the league in receiving yards (1,142) and receiving touchdowns (13), finished the game with a team-high 86 receiving yards and a touchdown. But once again, the Bengals’ defensive woes proved too much to overcome.
The Bengals allowed 520 total yards, matching a season high, and gave up a season-high 44 points. To make matters worse, seven of those points came on a strip sack of Burrow that was returned for a touchdown by the Steelers. According to ESPN research, Cincinnati is now the first team in NFL history to lose four or more games in a season when scoring at least 33 points. That’s a stat that stings for a team with so much offensive firepower.
“It’s kind of our expectation now,” Chase said, expressing frustration with the team’s inability to turn offensive success into wins. The Bengals have now lost four of their last five games, including three straight, and the margin for error seems to shrink with every passing week.
Burrow’s Record-Setting Season Comes with a Price
Despite the team’s struggles, Burrow is putting up numbers that would normally be associated with MVP-caliber seasons. According to ESPN Research, only six quarterbacks in NFL history have averaged 275 or more passing yards per game with at least 30 touchdowns and five or fewer interceptions through 12 games of a season. Of those six, Burrow is the only one to have a losing record. Four of the last five to achieve those stats went on to win the league’s MVP award.
Burrow also set an unfortunate record on Sunday, becoming the first quarterback to lose five games in a season after throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns in a single game. Against the Steelers, he wasn’t perfect, throwing an interception off a batted ball and losing two strip sacks, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Pittsburgh linebacker Payton Wilson. That play in the fourth quarter sent fans streaming for the exits at Paycor Stadium.
What’s Next for the Bengals?
As the losses pile up, Burrow acknowledged the immense pressure he feels to perform at an elite level every week. “I feel the pressure on me to be great,” he said. “That’s part of playing quarterback in the NFL. I just have to play to the absolute peak of my ability every week for us to go and win. Some games I’ve done that. Some games I haven’t.”
Adding to the physical toll, Burrow revealed he was cleated on his right leg during the first play of the game, leaving a gash that caused significant bleeding. He was noticeably limping after the game and said he would know more about his condition by Tuesday.
Burrow didn’t mince words when asked what needs to change for the Bengals to turn things around. “A lot of things,” he said bluntly. The Bengals, who won back-to-back AFC North titles in 2021 and 2022, are now just 2-8 in division games over the last two seasons. That’s a stark contrast to their 7-5 record against division foes during their championship runs.
Looking Ahead
As the franchise quarterback playing on a five-year, $275 million deal — tied for the second-highest annual average value in the league — Burrow knows his voice carries weight. He plans to communicate with the front office about what needs to change moving forward. “This is a tough season, and the cornerstones of this organization are going to be remembered by more than just this season,” Burrow said. “We will be remembered by how we handled this.”
For Bengals fans, the hope is that this season will serve as a turning point rather than a sign of things to come. With five games left, the team has a chance to show what they’re made of, even if the playoffs are out of reach. As Burrow said, how the players respond now will speak volumes about the future of the franchise.
Key Takeaways
- The Bengals are 4-8 after a 44-38 loss to the Steelers.
- Joe Burrow is the only quarterback in NFL history to average 275+ passing yards, 30+ touchdowns, and 5 or fewer interceptions through 12 games and have a losing record.
- Cincinnati’s defense allowed 520 total yards and a season-high 44 points.
- Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142) and touchdowns (13).
With the season slipping away, the Bengals’ response in the coming weeks will be critical in shaping their future. Will they rise to the challenge, or will this season be remembered as a missed opportunity? Only time will tell.
Originally Written by: Ben Baby
