Bengals Fall Short Despite Standout Individual Seasons
CINCINNATI — In the world of professional sports, the line between success and failure can be razor-thin. This season, the Cincinnati Bengals have found themselves on the wrong side of that line far too often. As the team heads into a mini break with a 4-6 record, it’s hard not to reflect on the games that could have been — the close losses that have plagued them. For Joe Burrow, the franchise quarterback, it’s particularly tough to swallow. Despite his own stellar performances and those of his teammates, the Bengals have found themselves in a position where individual brilliance isn’t always translating to victories on the scoreboard.
This past week’s 31-27 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was another gut punch, even though Burrow put up one of his most impressive individual performances of the season. The quarterback threw for 428 yards and four touchdowns, doing everything in his power to lead his team to victory. Ja’Marr Chase, his top receiving target, was once again dynamic, racking up yards and providing Burrow with a reliable option downfield. Yet, in the end, it wasn’t enough. The Bengals came up short once again, a theme that’s become all too familiar this season.
“It’s tough, man. It really is,” Burrow said after the game, his voice tinged with frustration. “Look at how we are playing, and then you look at Trey Hendrickson and how he is playing. Yeah, it’s a tough pill to swallow. We had our opportunities, obviously. We know it’s tough, and you feel like you’re playing well enough to win, and you’re not. But there’s always more to do.”
Burrow’s sentiment rings true for much of the Bengals’ 2023 campaign. Despite numerous standout performances — from Burrow himself to defensive stalwarts like Hendrickson — the team has struggled to string together consistent victories. The offense, at times, has looked explosive, particularly with Burrow and Chase operating in sync. However, missed opportunities, key turnovers, and lackluster execution in critical moments have prevented the Bengals from turning those flashes of brilliance into sustained success.
Burrow’s numbers in the loss to Baltimore were nothing short of spectacular, yet they’re also a stark reminder of the Bengals’ inability to capitalize on those performances. Throwing for over 400 yards and four touchdowns should almost always result in a win, but in this case, it was simply another near-miss. It wasn’t just the high-octane passing attack that came up short, but also a defense that couldn’t get the necessary stops when it counted most.
“Sometimes, it’s the way the ball bounces. That’s the game,” Burrow said after the Ravens’ game. “But you just [must] be ready when your opportunity comes and presents itself and be ready to make a play. You never know when it’s going to come or what situation it’s going to be in. In backups, you never know when your opportunity presents itself when guys go down, you’ve got to go take advantage of it and go from there.”
It’s a poignant statement from Burrow, acknowledging the nature of the game — the unpredictability, the chaos of the NFL. The Bengals have experienced their fair share of heart-wrenching losses this season, many of them coming down to a few plays here and there. It’s a theme Burrow has echoed throughout the season. Had just a few moments gone differently, Cincinnati could easily be looking at a much more favorable record. In fact, the Bengals could be sitting at 8-2 instead of 4-6 if they’d managed to capitalize on the opportunities that slipped through their fingers in close games.
The Bengals’ narrow losses have been a hallmark of their 2023 season. There have been multiple occasions where the team was in a position to win but came up just short, often due to a single mistake or a key play not going their way. These kinds of defeats are often the hardest to process because they leave a sense of “what if” hanging in the air. The Bengals have been good enough to win, yet they’ve consistently failed to close the deal when it matters most.
In several of those games, Burrow has been at his best, throwing the ball with precision and putting the team in a position to succeed. But football, as Burrow noted, is a team sport, and there are no guarantees. Sometimes, despite all the preparation and effort, a game can come down to a few inches or a split-second decision. That’s the nature of the NFL, and it’s been a tough lesson for the Bengals to learn in 2023.
The frustration of missed opportunities and close losses is further compounded by the personal toll these games take on Burrow. He’s one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but even the most talented players can only do so much. After being sacked 13 times by the Ravens — a testament to how relentless the Baltimore defense was — Burrow’s performance was truly a masterclass in resilience. Despite taking numerous hits, some of which seemed borderline egregious, Burrow continued to fight and put his team in a position to score.
“You know I feel like I have never gotten those calls,” Burrow said when asked about the numerous hits he took in the game, some of which appeared to be roughing the passer. “So, I don’t really expect that. I feel like there were a couple that were close. Again, I don’t expect those.”
Burrow’s mentality in this regard is indicative of his leadership style. He’s not one to dwell on missed calls or mistakes. Instead, he focuses on what he can control: his performance on the field and the effort he puts in for his teammates. But even his unflinching toughness and determination can only take him so far. At the end of the day, Burrow’s individual success won’t matter if the team as a whole can’t figure out how to close out games.
The Bengals’ 4-6 record is a reflection of their inability to win those close games, but it’s also a reflection of the difficulties they’ve faced as a team. Injuries, inconsistent play, and mistakes at crucial moments have all contributed to their current record. And while Burrow’s individual performance has been stellar, the team as a whole has not been able to put together a complete game.
For Burrow, this season is undoubtedly frustrating. After leading the Bengals to the Super Bowl just two years ago and helping the team reach the AFC Championship game last season, there were high expectations for this year. The Bengals were thought to be one of the top teams in the AFC and legitimate contenders to make another deep playoff run. But as the season has unfolded, it has become clear that even a quarterback as talented as Burrow cannot single-handedly carry a team to victory every week.
The losses have been tough to process for Burrow and the Bengals, but there’s still time left to turn things around. At 4-6, the Bengals are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but they are facing an uphill battle. With only a few games left before the stretch run, Burrow and his teammates will need to find a way to capitalize on their potential. They cannot afford to waste any more opportunities, especially in close games that have already cost them dearly this season.
Burrow’s reflection on the season is an honest one. He understands the nature of the game and the ups and downs that come with it. But he also recognizes that there’s more to be done. The Bengals need to find a way to get over the hump and start turning those close losses into wins. For Burrow, this is just another challenge to overcome. But as he’s proven time and time again, there’s no one better suited to the task than him. If the Bengals are going to make a run at the playoffs, it will be because Burrow and his teammates rise to the occasion when it matters most. Until then, the tough pill of missed opportunities will remain a bitter reminder of what could have been.
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