For three-quarters of their Thursday Night Football clash against their AFC North rival Baltimore Ravens, it looked as though Cincinnati’s 2024 season was back on track. A blistering display from quarterback Joe Burrow led Cincy to a comfortable-looking 21-7 lead deep into the third quarter. However, a fumble from running back Chase Brown turned the tide, and the hosts reeled off three consecutive touchdowns to take a seven-point lead in the fourth.
But Burrow wasn’t done yet. He managed to find sensational wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase to complete a 70-yard reception to even things up, only for the Ravens to hit the front once again thanks to Lamar Jackson’s touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor. The Bengals’ main man had one more trick up his sleeve.
With just 40 seconds remaining in the game, Burrow once again found Chase to bring the Bengals within one point and a chance to take the contest to overtime. Head coach Zac Taylor had other ideas though. He decided to go for the win and a two-point conversion, only for Burrow to miss his receiver in the end zone and hand the Ravens the win. Former Heisman winner Joey B. ended the game with 428 yards and four touchdowns, but it still wasn’t enough to get the victory, and his side have now slipped to 4-6.
A Season of Highs and Lows
The scintillating form of Burrow coupled with his side’s inability to see games out has been the story of Cincy’s season thus far. The former LSU standout is in the midst of an MVP-caliber campaign and he has been in sensational form all season long, despite the lack of support from his teammates. The 27-year-old currently leads the league in terms of both throwing yards and touchdowns, picking up 2,672 yards and 24 TDs respectively.
But even though Burrow is on course for a career-best year, his team simply can’t stop losing in the cruelest fashion imaginable. The Bengals have been alive in all of their defeats so far this season, losing five games by less than a touchdown, as well as throwing away a halftime lead against the Philadelphia Eagles. Their week two and week five defeats were particularly heartbreaking, losing by a last-gasp field goal to the reigning champion Chiefs in the first of them before missing an overtime field goal attempt against the Ravens in the second, only for them to go down the field and bag a field goal of their own.
Now, however, despite all the hope and promise that surrounds Paycor stadium, one must look at the facts. In preseason, the Bengals were considered genuine Lombardi contenders. However, now they are odds against to even make it into the playoffs, with those looking elsewhere now able to get huge odds of +4500 on a Bengals Super Bowl victory.
That tells you just how much trouble Cincy is in. Chances are, they will need to win all but one of their remaining games to qualify for the playoffs. If they were to miss out, it would be considered a massive failure.
Playoff Chances: Climbing an Uphill Battle
With a 4-6 record, the Bengals are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture. Situated in the competitive AFC North, Cincinnati must leapfrog multiple teams to secure a wildcard berth. The Ravens – who have now twice beaten their rivals – are the frontrunners to top the division, while the defensively sound Pittsburgh Steelers also look a surefire pick to reach the postseason. That leaves just one wildcard spot remaining.
Luckily for Cincinnati, the rest of the AFC – outside of the big hitters such as the Chiefs and Bills – have all struggled. The Los Angeles Chargers and the Denver Broncos look to be Burrow and Co.’s biggest threats in securing a playoff spot. Cincy will face both of those throughout the second half of the campaign, and victories against them would provide a glimmer of hope.
Despite the daunting task ahead, Cincy possess the talent and determination to defy the odds. Joe Burrow’s leadership and poise under pressure provide a foundation for optimism, and if he can continue in a similar vein throughout the rest of the season, he will surely give his side a chance. Ja’Marr Chase will also be crucial to any success his team may have.
The wideout leads the league in terms of two receivers this year, picking up 981 receiving yards already this season, along with ten touchdowns. Three of those came in the recent loss at the Ravens, and if he can provide more of the same, then the Bengals may not give up hope just yet.
