The Cincinnati Bengals fell to 4-7 after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers by one score. They couldn’t stop J.K. Dobbins from completing a 29-yard game-winning rushing touchdown with 18 seconds left in regulation. However, they shouldn’t be struggling, given how their top players have performed this season.
The Bengals are three games below .500 despite quarterback Joe Burrow’s impressive numbers. Against the Chargers, the former top overall pick had 28 completions for 356 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. That stat line improved his numbers to 3,028 yards, 27 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
In their last three games, Burrow has 12 touchdown passes and an interception. However, despite that impressive TD-to-INT ratio, the Bengals won only one game. Before losing to the Chargers, Cincinnati had a one-point loss to their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens.
Likewise, the Bengals have fallen hard even if they have receiving yards leader Ja’Marr Chase, who had 75 yards and two touchdowns against Los Angeles’ AFC team. Through Week 11, Chase has 1,056 receiving yards, 144 more than second-place Justin Jefferson.
Finally, the Bengals have defensive end Trey Hendrickson, who leads the league in sacks with 11.5. While he shared a sack with Cam Taylor-Britt against the Chargers, it wasn’t enough to prevent their third loss in their last four games.
The Bengals have the league leader in passing yards, passing TDs, receptions, receiving yards, receiving TDs and sacks on their team and are going to miss the playoffs pic.twitter.com/gHKzNU2iOp
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 18, 2024
While the Bengals still have a shot at making the playoffs, winning all six of their remaining games could boost their odds. However, it wouldn’t be easy because waiting for them after their Week 12 bye is a showdown with the AFC North leaders Pittsburgh Steelers.
-Lance Fernandez