CINCINNATI – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sat at his locker in the locker room for several minutes, arms crossed and one leg over the other, assessing the aftermath of the 41-38 loss in overtime Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
For the majority of the game, the Bengals were ahead and looked ready to kick off the AFC North Division clash with a victory – their second straight. But on several occasions, Cincinnati saw that lead melt away, before the Ravens eventually confirmed their victory with a 24-yard field goal from Justin Tucker.
As Burrow pondered the consequences, one thing was obvious. After the fourth loss in five games to start the season, Burrow said it was frustrating that a team that started the year with aspirations was so far from that goal.
“We’re not a championship team right now,” Burrow said. This is not the case. I like to think we’ll bounce back and improve as the season goes on to get to that level, but right now we’re not that type of team and we need to get better. »
It seemed like the team’s offense couldn’t really do much more after another brilliant outing. Cincinnati scored 30 points for a third straight game. Burrow threw a career-high five touchdowns on a 30-for-39 performance, even though he was the victim of a costly interception in the fourth quarter. Receiver Ja’Marr Chase caught 10 balls for 193 yards and two touchdowns.
But all this was not enough. The defense allowed more than 38 points for a second straight game. After Cincinnati took a 38-28 lead with 8:54 left in regulation, the Ravens scored 13 unanswered points.
For Chase, this situation amplified the disappointment felt after Sunday’s setback.
“I think that’s what’s causing the frustration, for the most part,” Chase said after the duel. We score 30 points and we lose. »
“That’s what we want to do as an offense – score 30 points and take control of the game. Put the ball in our hands on the last sequence and we’ll take control. That’s what we want, and we haven’t done it. »
Chase and receiver Tee Higgins criticized the lack of aggressiveness in overtime. Baltimore won the toss to start the extra period with the ball to go for a potential touchdown. On the other hand, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled the ball and Cincinnati recovered the ball thanks to Germaine Pratt, then brought the ball to the 38 line in Ravens territory.
After three carries to put the Bengals in field goal position, Evan McPherson missed a 53-yard attempt.
Rather than having two wins in a row, the Bengals will now try to overcome their slim chances of making the playoffs. According to ESPN Research, only 5.6% of teams that started the year with a 1-4 record in the SuperBowl era reached the playoffs. The 2020 Washington Commanders are the latest team to do so.
Burrow said there are no illusions about where the Bengals are after their fourth loss of the year.
“I know exactly how we are 1-4. We don’t make plays late in the game to win. I am absolutely not incredulous. I know exactly what’s going on. »
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