“We’re not a good enough team…”: Bengals’ Star QB Joe Burrow gets real about their struggles after loss to Chargers | NFL news

The Cincinnati BengalsThe 2024 season has been a rollercoaster of near misses, epitomized by their most recent Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The loss, which dropped their record to a disappointing 4-7, left quarterback Joe Burrow visibly disappointed as he addressed the media. The recurring theme for the Bengals this season has been their inability to close out close games, with six of their seven losses decided by a touchdown or less — a bitter trend that has exposed their struggles in critical moments.

Joe Burrow candidly admits about the team’s season

Reflecting on the season, Burrow described it as his most frustrating to date, attributing the team’s predicament to their repeated failure to execute under pressure. While discussing the nature of these defeats, Burrow said, “It’s pretty self-explanatory.” Emphasizing the need for improvement, he bluntly stated, “Just gotta make the plays, just gotta make the plays. Down the stretch, we’re not a good enough team to — our margin for error is small. So we gotta make the plays. I gotta make the plays we everybody has to make those plays.” This recognition underscores the challenges facing a team teetering on the brink of playoff irrelevance.

Sunday’s game encapsulated the Bengals’ season in microcosm. After falling behind 27-6, Cincinnati mounted a historic comeback to tie the game at 27. However, the effort fell short as the Chargers broke through for a decisive touchdown with less than 20 seconds remaining. A desperation Hail Mary pass to Tee Higgins offered a glimmer of hope, but narrowly missed its mark, sealing the Bengals’ fate.
This recurring inability to seal close contests has not only ruined their playoff hopes, but also highlighted the team’s slim margin for error. While Burrows’ determination remains evident, the Bengals must find a way to capitalize on critical opportunities if they hope to salvage their season.
Also read: ‘The margin between winning and losing is slim’: Andy Reid reflects on Chiefs’ loss to Bills, shares valuable lessons for the upcoming season
For now, Cincinnati’s history remains one of potential overshadowed by missed opportunities, with each close loss serving as a stark reminder of what could have been. The road ahead requires resilience and precision — a big one, but not impossible, for a team led by a quarterback as tenacious as Burrow.