CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals have found all manner of ways to lose close games this season.
Sunday’s 44-38 loss to AFC North rival Pittsburgh can be blamed on a defense that missed tackles and allowed 520 yards of offense, and three turnovers by Joe Burrow.
It’s become a familiar story in this disappointing season. Cincinnati (4-8) keeps scoring lots of points but can’t close out games. Seven of the Bengals’ eight losses this year have been by one score.
Burrow has stopped talking about the possibility of going on a run and making the playoffs. He’d just like to win another game or two.
“Playoffs are the furthest thing from my mind,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “You never know what can happen, so I’ll keep putting one foot in front of the other and try to be the best player I can be for the rest of the season, week in and week out.”
The Bengals allowed Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson to throw for a season-high 414 yards and three touchdowns. After Wilson threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown, the Steelers (9-3) scored on seven of their last nine possessions. They didn’t punt until early in the fourth quarter.
Burrow lost two fumbles and threw an interception.
“We haven’t done enough to earn the win,” coach Zac Taylor said. “It’s a simple as that. It’s nobody else’s fault but our own. We haven’t earned it.”
What’s working
Turnovers aside, Burrow had another strong game, finishing with 28 for 38 for 309 yards with three touchdowns. Burrow is having a great season statistically, and he hasn’t hidden his disappointment and frustration about Cincinnati’s narrow losses. … WR Ja’Marr Chase had a touchdown catch to bring his league-leading total to 13.
What needs help
The defense missed tackles and couldn’t hold off the Steelers, even with Burrow keeping the game close. It didn’t help that LB Logan Wilson (knee) and DT Sheldon Rankins (illness) had to sit out. The Bengals have allowed 34 or more points six times, including in four of the past five games. Cincinnati became the first NFL team to lose four games in a season in which it scored 33 points or more.
Stock up
RB Chase Brown has been dependable as the featured back since Zack Moss went down with a neck injury. He rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown against the Steelers. He also had three catches for 30 yards. The second-year back has 677 yards rushing and six TDs.
“He’s really coming along, improving his game every single week,” Burrow said. “Pass game, run game, running hard, understanding his protection responsibilities. He’s a guy that practices hard, plays hard, and a guy you can count on.”
Stock down
The Bengals’ coaching staff. Something has got to give. There was no excuse for the defense to play this badly after a bye week. The unit gave up 500-plus yards for the second time this season.
Injuries
None were reported in the game.
Key number
30.3 — The average points per game by the Bengals against teams with a .500 or better record this season. They are 0-7 in those games.
Next steps
The Bengals will try to regroup before facing the Dallas Cowboys (5-7) next Monday night.
