Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sat quietly at his locker, reflecting on the team’s fourth loss in five games this season. Despite entering 2024 with Super Bowl aspirations, the Bengals have struggled to find their footing, falling 41-38 in overtime to division rival Baltimore Ravens. For Burrow, the conclusion was clear: “We’re not a championship-level team right now.”
Missed Opportunities and Defensive Struggles
The Bengals led for much of the game, but couldn’t hold on to their advantage. Justin Tucker’s 24-yard field goal in overtime sealed the victory for Baltimore, handing Cincinnati a painful loss in their AFC North opener. Despite Burrow throwing for a career-high five touchdowns and Ja’Marr Chase racking up 193 yards and two scores, the Bengals couldn’t secure the win.
While the offense put up 30 points for the third consecutive game, it wasn’t enough to overcome Cincinnati’s struggling defense. The Bengals allowed 13 unanswered points in the final minutes of regulation and overtime, leaving the team frustrated.
“We want to put up 30 points and take over the game,” Chase said after the loss. “We didn’t do that today.”
Costly Conservative Play in Overtime
One of the game’s pivotal moments came in overtime when Lamar Jackson fumbled, giving Cincinnati the ball at Baltimore’s 38-yard line. But instead of capitalizing with aggressive play-calling, the Bengals ran the ball three times, setting up a potential game-winning field goal attempt for kicker Evan McPherson. A poor hold from rookie punter Ryan Rehkow led to the 53-yard kick missing wide left.
Head coach Zac Taylor defended the conservative decision, stating, “When you’re in field goal range and you believe in your kicker, it really is as simple as that.” However, the missed kick allowed Baltimore to regroup and secure the win.
A Season on the Brink
The Bengals are now 1-4, a precarious spot for a team that reached the Super Bowl just two years ago. Historically, only 5.6% of teams with a 1-4 start have made the playoffs, but Zac Taylor remains optimistic. “People can write us off if they really want to. I’m not dumb enough to do that,” Taylor said, referencing the team’s resilience in past seasons.
Though Burrow acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, he expressed confidence that they can improve as the season progresses. But the road ahead won’t be easy, and Cincinnati must find answers quickly if they hope to salvage their season.
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