The Cincinnati Bengals coughed up 34 points for a third-straight game during Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Joe Burrow simply couldn’t overcome the pathetic defensive showing, even after the bye week allowed them extra prep time for the game.
Here’s a quick look at notes and numbers to know from the Week 13, 44-38 result.
Quick thoughts
- Big starting lineup changes for the Bengals coming out of the bye, especially with Cody Ford at left guard. The changes didn’t do much though, with Cam Heyward putting up a big day anyway.
- Cam Taylor-Britt scored on a pick-six after a messy play with George Pickens. A nice little redemption moment for him after being benched multiple times this year.
- Otherwise, the defense is a disaster. Geno Stone missed tackles all day. Germaine Pratt and Mike Hilton have lost a step and were often targeted, too.
- Joseph Ossai made a big play in the second half, getting his hand on a field-goal attempt and blocking it.
- That strip-sack-touchdown late in the game was a direct result of Orlando Brown Jr. playing hurt. He just couldn’t match the speed on the edge.
Key stat
Pick one. Three straight games of allowing at least 34 points is tied for franchise history. It’s the sixth time it has happened this year.
Game balls
QB Joe Burrow: What more can he do? Playing behind a reshuffled line, he mustered 309 yards and three.
WR Tee Higgins: He’s back in form as a top option and caught five passes for 69 yards and a score.
Top takeaway
Game over: The Bengals are fully out of the race now. Perhaps a coach or two will lose their jobs on the defensive side of the ball next week. But it won’t matter much, not with how dreadful the roster on that side of the ball is right now. The remaining weeks of the season will be about getting players developmental snaps and plenty of film for the team to analyze.
