The Bengals’ season was essentially on the line when they faced off against the Chargers on SNF, but they were unable to come away with the win.
The Cincinnati Bengals have had multiple season-defining losses this year, and none felt more definitive than their deflating loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
An awful first half had everyone ready to declare the Bengals done for the year, but then the team flipped in the second half, and it seemed like they might still have some life in them.
Life seemed to deflate after the clock ended, and the Bengals took their seventh loss of the season. Even winning out the rest of the season would give the Bengals a slim shot at the playoffs. With that in mind, the Bengals need to do some strong self-evaluation, see what has worked and what hasn’t, and plan for the future.
With that grim outlook, let’s see what Twitter had to say about the loss to the Chargers.
In 2024 the Bengals are 2-5 when scoring 23+ points
In 2023 the Bengals were 7-2 when scoring 23+ points
In 2022 the Bengals were 12-0 when scoring 23+ points
In 2021 the Bengals were 11-2 when scoring 23+ points https://t.co/CBNoaYHtHj pic.twitter.com/PWx55nQM8F— Elly De La Brad (@TracyMcBradey) November 18, 2024
Tee Higgins frustrated Bengals can’t “finish the fucking game” pic.twitter.com/UsVqoBzVbO
— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 18, 2024
Burrow having to constantly create off script isn’t a testament of a functional offense. Whatever Zac and Pitch are trying or forcing to run isn’t working. None of it is sustainable…and a huge reason why this team is incapable of closing out a game.
— Lorenzo Sorice (@lorenzosorice) November 18, 2024
Zac Taylor says “significant changes” during the season aren’t necessary despite the 4-7 start.
“Something special can still be here.”
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) November 18, 2024
Burrow’s basically having an MVP caliber season STRICTLY IN THE LOSSES THIS SEASON. That’s 308 passing yards a game and a 9-1 td to interception ratio IN THE LOSSES this year lol. Absurd man. https://t.co/P88lUdPFzB
— Teth-Adam (@DCRezz) November 18, 2024
Joe Burrow in the Bengals 7 losses ⤵️
Comp%: 67.0%
Passing YPG: 308.0
18 TDs / 2 INT
Passer Rating: 107.6
EPA on DBs: +59.6 https://t.co/jzZOr3Dxyb pic.twitter.com/FPbC82FhzY— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) November 18, 2024
Going to bed now
— Draft Guy Jared (@DraftGuyJared) November 18, 2024
Joe Burrow if he believes Zac Taylor is right:
“Hope so.” https://t.co/RePgoVB6Jm
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) November 18, 2024
Would’ve been nice to have an average defense this season.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) November 18, 2024
This season is beating down Joe Burrow. Every one of these news conferences looks harder to stomach than the previous.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 18, 2024
Pessimism abounds, but the Bengals have a lot of youth on the team, and with some decent free agent pickups and additions from the NFL Draft, they could be right back in the playoff race next year. Hopefully, the rough season lights a fire under their butts and has them playing free agency more aggressively than normal.