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Ben Child, ESPN Workers Author
CINCINNATI — A postseason run was nowhere close to Joe Burrow‘s thoughts after Monday night time’s 38-33 upset loss to the Washington Commanders.
Burrow repeated the staff has a “lengthy method to go” after the Bengals’ sputtered to a 3rd straight defeat to open the season, the staff’s worst begin since 2019 — the yr earlier than Burrow arrived.
“We’re under no circumstances out of it, however playoffs and successful division is the furthest factor from my thoughts,” Burrow stated.
Cincinnati’s star quarterback issued an identical sentiment after a Week 2 loss to Kansas Metropolis in a matchup between the 2 finalists within the AFC championship recreation within the 2021 and 2022 seasons. However the latest loss was not towards the identical caliber of competitors. Washington (2-1) did not rating a landing final week in a win over the New York Giants and was led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, who was chosen with the third general draft choose following the Commanders’ four-win season a yr in the past.
Daniels and the Commanders had no issues discovering the tip zone on Monday. Washington scored touchdowns on 5 of its six true drives, together with a 27-yard go from Daniels to Terry McLaurin with 2:10 left that proved to be the successful margin. Daniels had as many touchdowns (two) as incompletions.
Sometimes after video games, Burrow goes straight into Cincinnati’s residence locker room when leaving the sector. Nevertheless on Monday, he and coach Zac Taylor went right into a separate entrance that results in the coaches workplace. Burrow stated it was a mutual resolution to talk with Taylor after the sport.
“It was a really optimistic dialog,” stated Burrow, who declined to get into the specifics. “We’re not proud of the place we’re at, however under no circumstances is the season over. We’re 0-3, it is 14 left to play.”
To compound the frustration, two of the Bengals’ losses got here towards a number of the league’s worst groups in 2023. Washington and New England, Cincinnati’s Week 1 opponent, every received simply 4 video games final yr. These two groups, together with Arizona, had been tied for the second-lowest successful share within the NFL. All of Cincinnati’s losses to start out this season have been by seven factors or fewer.
Taylor stated the Bengals must create their very own alternatives and have to a greater job of dictating the tempo of the sport.
“There hasn’t been one unit that is actually dominated to take the stress off the opposite unit, so this falls on everyone,” Taylor stated. “It is irritating. It is a kick within the intestine if you put in all this work within the offseason, in coaching camp and you are feeling actually good in regards to the staff and also you begin off 0-3.”
Taylor identified that for a second straight week, Washington scored on each single drive; towards the Giants in Week 2, Washington completed each drive with a area purpose. The Commanders’ success towards Cincinnati on Monday got here after cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt referred to the group led by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury as a “good, school offense.”
Taylor stated there was no have to take pictures at an opponent and the 2 had a dialog. Taylor-Britt did not have any qualms about his feedback, even after the loss.
“I don’t remorse it,” Taylor-Britt stated at his locker on Monday night time. “I did not imply something malicious out of the remark. It was made larger than what it was. Sure, I can eat my phrases, most undoubtedly. We did take a [loss] in the present day.”
Cincinnati will look to rebound subsequent week towards the Carolina Panthers, which completed with the league’s worst file final season. Carolina is led by quarterback Andy Dalton, who began for the Bengals from 2011 to 2019 earlier than he was changed by Burrow, the No. 1 general choose within the 2020 draft.
Burrow, a one-time Professional Bowler who was 29-of-38 passing for 324 yards and three touchdowns towards Washington, stated he might need to make some adjustments in how he offers with the staff because the Bengals attempt to discover their approach.
“That’ll be some essential considering that I will must do,” Burrow stated. “See what sort of chief I need to be going ahead, what I really feel just like the staff wants from me going ahead.”
