Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow feels the pain of last-second loss to the Chiefs
It was a very reserved Cincinnati Bengals quarterback who faced the media after Sunday afternoon’s heartbreaking 26-25 last-second loss to the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
“This one stings a little bit,” Joe Burrow said.
The Bengals were clinging to a 25-23 lead with Kansas City facing a 4th-and-16 at its own 35-yard line and a mere 48 seconds left to play when Patrick Mahomes threw an apparent incompletion intended for Rashee Rice. Burrow raised his arms in celebration, only to turn away in disgust when he saw the late flag.
Rookie cornerback Daijahn Anthony had been called for pass interference, and the Chiefs had new life. Moments later, Kansas City kicker Harrison Butker drilled a 51-yard field goal, and Cincinnati dropped to 0-2 for the third straight year.
Just how frustrating was this loss?
“As frustrating as I’ve had,” Burrow said.
Still, there were some good things. Burrow completed 23 of 36 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns and finished with an overall rating of 103.7. Second-year receiver Andrei Iosivas secured both touchdown receptions and the Bengals’ tight ends combined for 14 catches and 151 yards. Rookie receiver Jermaine Burton hauled in a 47-yard reception that led to Cincinnati’s second touchdown.
“We’re going to need those guys,” Burrow said, “especially with the way teams are going to play us. We’re going to need those guys to come up big and for the most part they did.”
While Burrow gave a strong performance overall, it was his only mistake that left him so frustrated. The Bengals opened the fourth quarter clinging to a 22-17 lead and had just gotten the ball back on a spectacular interception by cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt.
After two incompletions, Burrow fumbled on third down while attempting to scramble for the first down. Kansas City cornerback Chamarri Conner scooped up the ball at Cincinnati’s 38-yard line and scampered untouched into the end zone. A failed two-point conversion gave the Chiefs a 23-22 lead.
“I thought I played fast and decisive today,” Burrow said. “Obviously, I’ve got to hold on to the ball. That was disappointing. I gifted them six points, so that was frustrating.”
The pass interference call on 4th and 16 was disappointing as well to the team’s leader.
“Somebody’s got to make a play,” Burrow said, “and they did and we didn’t.”
