The Bengals Broke Joe Burrow on Sunday
Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
The Cincinnati Bengals’ season was hanging on by a thread coming into today, and by the end of the 44-38 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, their final playoff hopes vanished altogether. While the game was (yet another) one-possession game that Cincinnati ended on the wrong side of, it was not nearly that close. The Steelers scored their most points in a game since they rolled up 52 points against the Carolina Panthers way back in 2018.
It was another gut punch for the Bengals faithful, but we still gotta learn something. Here are the most important takeaways from today’s game.
The Bengals Finally Broke Burrow
After carrying Cincinnati for approximately 11.75 games, the team started the fourth quarter once again pinning their hopes entirely on the shoulders of their would-be MVP contender: Joe Burrow. Instead of a valiant but potentially futile effort to lift his squad, the QB finally sunk to the level of his teammates to start the fourth quarter.
Donte Jackson Pick! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/tKvNRw2H9Q
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 1, 2024
As for his next possession? Roll the clip!
Nick Herbig SZN! #Steelers #NFL pic.twitter.com/m6tTdtdrd9
— Blitzburgh (@Blitz_Burgh) December 1, 2024
The Steelers have been one of the best in the NFL in terms of forcing turnovers, and that trend continued in full force with Burrow committing three of them. Up to that point, Burrow had just thrown four picks and lost one fumble on the season.
The two turnovers allowed the Steelers to take a commanding 41-24 lead in the fourth quarter, which the Bengals attempted to come back from (as they are wont to do). But — stop us if you’ve heard it before — their rally fell just a bit short.
Cincy Squanders Gift-Wrapped Points
Despite piling up a staggering 44 points in the win, saying that the Steelers played mistake-free football would be a gross misconception. Pittsburgh gave the Bengals golden chances early and often.
CTB TD! Cam Taylor-Britt pick 6 #ProBigRed pic.twitter.com/Qd5K4vaq5j
— Kevin Sjuts (@kevinsjuts) December 1, 2024
Their sloppy play did not stop there. Joey Porter Jr. committed six penalties; two of which, I kid you not, occurred on the same play. George Pickens was in midseason form, getting flagged for two stupid personal foul penalties (one for taunting, and a separate one for using finger guns). Chris Boswell had the opportunity to send the Steelers up by two possessions going into the second half, only to have his field goal attempt blocked by Joseph Ossai.
Even with all those mistakes, the Bengals pulled a “Hold my beer” and one-upped the Steelers at every turn. The Bengals committed 11 penalties for 105 yards, both of which were a season-high for a team that entered Sunday among the NFL’s most disciplined squads. Burrow had a three-turnover game for only the fourth time in his career.
Pittsburgh tried to give points away to Cincinnati, but Bengals staunchly refused to grab control of the game.
Yes, The Defense Can Get Worse
The Bengals’ defense has consistently and unapologetically let Burrow down this season again and again. How could they top themselves in Week 13? Thanks to Logan Wilson‘s absence, we all got to find out.
Bengals have more losses (4) when scoring 30+ points than the rest of the league combined (3).
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) December 1, 2024
Wilson’s knee injury allowed Russell Wilson (no relation) to make full use of his non-wide receivers in the passing game. He threw for 414 yards, the second-most yards he’s thrown for in his entire borderline-Hall-of-Fame career. Only seven of his 29 completions were to wide receivers (though, those seven grabs went a long way, accounting for 169 yards and two touchdowns). The Steelers had full permission to throw the ball as they pleased against a Bengals defense that had even fewer answers than normal.
In the postgame press conference, Zac Taylor fully held the defense accountable for yet another poor performance.
Zac Taylor doesn’t question the effort of tackling today vs the Steelers pic.twitter.com/DgUIIqL1Pe
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 1, 2024
Nah, just kidding.
Akeem Davis-Gaither started in place of Wilson today and had an awful performance in his place, committing three penalties for 38 yards, and also missing three tackles. It was a miserable showing for a defense that had 12 missed tackles — also known as a dozen. If missed tackles were eggs, Cincinnati would’ve had four omelettes worth.
When asked if he felt as if the offense had to score every drive based on the way the game was going, Ja’Marr Chase summed up the feeling of every Bengals fan.
“That’s kind of our expectations now,” Chase said.
We found out today just how sustainable that is, even for someone like Burrow. As for the QB, he already seems to be looking toward redemption in 2025, but not before putting his roster on notice, hinting that he’s trying to pinpoint the players he can win with. “The next 5 weeks are going to say a lot about who we can count on and who we can’t,” he said after the game.
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