In yet another nail-biter between the Cincinnati Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, the Bengals fell 26-25, marking their third consecutive loss to start the season. The game, which was closely contested until the final moments, left quarterback Joe Burrow particularly frustrated, despite notable improvements from last week’s offensive performance.
In a game filled with drama—including four total turnovers and a sideline appearance by Taylor Swift—Burrow expressed his frustration afterward, calling it “one of the most frustrating” losses he’s experienced. When asked why, Burrow said he’d need a few days to process it, but it’s clear that the fourth quarter will weigh heavily on his mind.
Cincinnati’s offense showed promise, putting up 25 points across nine drives. However, they handed the ball back to Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs with 2:35 left in the game, clinging to a slim two-point lead—a situation that almost always favors Mahomes.
And Sunday was no exception.
The Bengals’ last points came from a 53-yard field goal by Evan McPherson with 9:28 remaining, but that kick was only necessary after a crucial mistake. Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct following a four-yard catch, which backed the Bengals up 15 yards from the Chiefs’ 30-yard line, stalling what could have been a game-sealing drive. Burrow tried to calm Chase after the play, but the penalty proved costly.
“I was just trying to de-escalate the situation,” Burrow said.
Ja'Marr Chase's frustrations stem from him believing he was hit with a hip drop tackle, per @tracywolfson pic.twitter.com/xcigjAh2je
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 15, 2024
Chase believed Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie executed a dangerous hip-drop tackle on him and, frustrated after not receiving a call from the officials, let his emotions get the best of him. Chase declined to discuss the penalty after the game, simply stating, “Not talking about it.”
Here's two minutes with Ja'Marr Chase following an emotional loss in Kansas City. #Bengals @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/2dA5iCOJs9
— Regan Holgate (@HolgateRegan) September 16, 2024
Despite the setback, Burrow and the offense had their moments. Burrow threw several big plays, including connections with his tight ends and rookie receiver Jermaine Burton, showing far more comfort in the pocket compared to Week 1. However, Burrow wasn’t entirely free from blame. Early in the fourth quarter, he was strip-sacked, leading to a 22-yard fumble return touchdown by Chamarri Conner that swung momentum to Kansas City.
The game’s turning point came late in the fourth quarter, with the Chiefs facing a fourth-and-16. A defensive pass interference penalty on the Bengals gifted Kansas City a first down, setting up a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker just four plays later.
Burrow and Chase could only watch from the sideline as their mistakes and missed opportunities contributed to another close loss. Despite making strides on offense—getting off to a quicker start, generating big plays, and winning the turnover battle—the Bengals remain winless at 0-2.
The rivalry between the Bengals and Chiefs is now tied at 3-3 in the Burrow era, with the total point differential favoring the Chiefs by just three points. Every moment counts in this intense matchup, and Sunday night was no different. But for Burrow and Chase, moral victories mean little, especially as they grapple with a third straight 0-2 start, knowing their own errors played a role in the defeat.
As the leaders of the Bengals’ offense, Burrow and Chase’s frustration is clear, and they know they must correct their mistakes quickly to avoid letting the season slip away early.