The Cincinnati Bengals headed into Week 15 with their playoff hopes on life support as they faced off against the Tennessee Titans. Joe Burrow and his mighty men were up to the task in a sloppy game with 10 total turnovers where they prevailed 37-27. QB1 had a shaky day by his standards going 26/37 with three touchdowns and two interceptions for a passer rating of 95.7. Sophomore running back Chase Brown was superb again, hitting 100 scrimmage yards or a touchdown in his sixth straight game. The Batman and Robin duo of Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were their usual solid selves going for 94 and 88 receiving yards and one touchdown respectively. While the Titans are a mess offensively, a win is a win and the Bengals received the help they needed around the league to boost their postseason odds with three games to play.
A Frustrated Joe Burrow Keeps the Bengals Slim Playoff Hopes Alive
Burrow Magic
Burrow, the magician, was on full display in Nashville, showing elite athleticism multiple times, but the play that tied the game at seven personified this.
Joe Burrow appreciation post. ELITE
pic.twitter.com/JRPnHpB5P4— Marcus Whitman (@TFG_Football) December 15, 2024
Burrow’s pocket presence and manipulation have taken even another step this season. His ability to throw off platform with varying arm angles is a deadly combination. He works very hard at it in practice, and it’s paid dividends.
High Standards
Even in what seems to be a lost season in Cincinnati, Burrow holds himself and the entire organization to incredibly high standards. This seemed to reach a boiling point in the closing moments of the fourth quarter when cameras caught an interesting exchange between Burrow and head coach Zac Taylor.
Also, wonder what that exchange that appeared to be quite animated between Burrow and Taylor on the sideline was about
Joe wasn't happy.pic.twitter.com/tW36T5C58t
— Jake Liscow (@JakeLiscow) December 15, 2024
This passion is Tom Brady-esque and a welcome sight for Bengals fans who have hoped Burrow would be a more vocal leader at times. A good example of his thought process was when he was asked a question after the game about the playoffs still being a remote possibility where Burrow stated, “Yeah, I mean it’s always in the back of your mind until you’re out of it. But we know the chances are very slim. What I’m focused on right now, is playing as good as we can play, myself playing up to my standard. That’s why I was so frustrated because I didn’t feel like we did that today.”
Take Notice
The Carson Palmer saga has to still be fresh in the minds of the Brown/Blackburn family whether they’d like to admit it or not. Between Burrow’s most recent outburst and how outspoken he’s been about keeping Higgins publicly, he’s not so subtly letting ownership know, that business isn’t good enough and won’t settle for mediocrity. The ball is in their court and they better be willing to do what it takes to build around their star quarterback to help the orange and black get back to a Super Bowl before it’s too late.
Main Photo: Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
