The Cincinnati Bengals have long been eliminated from the playoffs.
There was no real urgency to win another game. And the team played like it.
Here’s what we learned:
Joe Burrow’s injury can’t be an excuse
Had Cincinnati decisively defeated the Browns, it would have fooled a lot of fans into thinking the wins over the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals were actually encouraging.
It would have helped sell the idea that, if only Burrow hadn’t gotten hurt, this team would’ve been good.
But an ugly loss to Cleveland at home in the season finale made it very clear that this team was going to be bad regardless. This is especially the case when Burrow’s mistakes played a big role in all three losses since his return.
Even Zac Taylor seemed to agree that this just wasn’t the team’s year.
Worst of all, the sad loss produced a rather curious quote from Ja’Marr Chase, who seems to have lost confidence in his head coach.
Burrow has a serious issue with batted balls
It used to just be a TJ Watt thing, but since Burrow returned from injury this season, he’s had a couple of really bad interceptions off tipped passes near the line of scrimmage.
Against the Buffalo Bills, Burrow threw back-to-back interceptions. The first was when Christian Benford jumped a pass to Chase right behind the line of scrimmage.
The second was this tipped pass on the very next play.
Then there was this in Week 18:
The worst part is that the offensive line is finally giving the QB time to throw, so it’s not like he’s forced to throw in under two seconds as often as he was in the past.
Hopefully Burrow will go to the film room and figure out a long-term solution.
Evan McPherson will have to sit with his demons (again)
Back in August of last year, the kicker said he had overcome mental hurdles. “The devil will get in your mind and make you think that you suck,” he said, when reflecting on his previous mindset.
Then McPherson told reporters that he simply had to remind himself that he’s been doing this for a long time and that he does have the talent to do it at a high level.
Well, against the Browns, McPherson missed two PATs. That’s a lot for him to ponder over the course of an eight-month offseason. Hopefully he won’t get too far into his own head this time.
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