The blame for the Bengals potentially squandering career years from Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase can be traced back to coaching decisions.
Following a disappointing 34-27 defeat against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11, Chase’s frustration was evident. When questioned about the team’s struggles to close out games, he directed attention toward head coach Zac Taylor.
“Ask Zac. … Ask the coaches,” Chase remarked in the postgame locker room. “Don’t ask me. That’s not my job.”
He added, “I play football on the field. I don’t call plays for us, you know? So, I can’t really do nothing.”
While the appropriateness of Chase’s comments can be debated, the underlying issue is clear: coaching strategies are significantly impacting a season that began with high hopes of a Super Bowl run for Cincinnati.
The statistics speak volumes. Quarterback Joe Burrow ranks among the NFL leaders in completions (274), passing attempts (408), passing yards (3,028), and passing touchdowns (27). Before the bye week, Chase was on track to win the league’s receiving triple crown, leading in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson tops the NFL with 11.5 sacks, while wide receiver Tee Higgins boasts a career-high average of 81.5 receiving yards per game.
Despite these standout performances, the Bengals are hurtling toward another missed playoff opportunity.
Defensive lapses have become a recurring theme. In the Chargers game, kicker Evan McPherson missed two crucial field goals in the fourth quarter, but the defense allowed a four-play, 84-yard touchdown drive in the final moments, sealing their fate. This pattern continued in previous games, where Cincinnati has routinely surrendered double-digit points in the fourth quarter. Alarmingly, the Bengals have allowed at least 24 points in eight of their 11 games this season, with five games yielding 34 points or more.
Under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, the Bengals rank second-worst in red-zone efficiency (70.6%) and fifth-worst in points allowed per game (26.9). The situation worsens with injuries, as two of their top three cornerbacks are sidelined—Dax Hill due to a torn ACL and DJ Turner II on injured reserve with a broken clavicle.
In 2022, Cincinnati’s defense was ranked eighth, but they fell to 21st last year and currently sit at 28th this season.
With playoff aspirations dwindling, the Bengals face a tough schedule, including two matchups against the AFC North-leading Pittsburgh Steelers and a challenging game against the Denver Broncos, who have won seven of their last ten.
“By no stretch is our season over,” Taylor asserted after the loss to L.A. “We’re going to have to win a lot of these. Obviously, we put ourselves in a tough spot. But I believe … we’re going to be right there in the end.”
As Burrow and Chase enter their prime years, the franchise seems to be regressing, potentially squandering their Super Bowl window. After consecutive AFC Championship appearances, including a trip to Super Bowl LVI, the Bengals may find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
“We’re not going to panic because the record is 4-7 and we start making all these significant changes,” Taylor explained. “That’s not what the answer is. We play good football, we’re a good football team, we believe in our guys. We’ve got good systems in place. We’re going to hang in there and support each other and try to find a way to get this thing done.”
With time running out, the pressure mounts on Taylor to turn things around.
If the Bengals fail to secure a playoff spot, the accountability will likely fall squarely on the shoulders of the head coach.
