Bengals are feeling ‘sick’ after their playoff hopes
Cincinnati Bengals: Short losses are the story of the season
The Bengals (4-7) have lost six games by one possession or less this season, putting them in serious danger of missing the playoffs for the second year in a row.
A second-half rally by Cincinnati fell short in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night — a game in which the Bengals trailed 27-6 in the third quarter. Cincinnati ran off 21 straight points to tie, but lost when former Ravens running back JK Dobbins scored on a 29-yard run with 18 seconds to play.
According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, the Bengals have just a 14% chance of making the playoffs. However, head coach Zac Taylor said Bengals coaches and players haven’t given up hope heading into a bye week before hosting the Steelers in Week 13 on “Sunday Night Football.”
“I don’t know if many teams will hold at 24-6 at halftime and claw their way back and fight like our guys did,” Taylor said via the team’s website. “Proud of our boys, sick for our boys. That’s basically the story of our season so far.
“Our season is far from over. We have the opportunity to use a bye to come back and get into the groove here in the last part of the season. We’re going to have to win a lot of it, It’s clear that we put ourselves in a tough position. But I believe what I just saw from our guys, I saw it every week. We’re going to be there at the end and just finish these games.”
Joe Burrow threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns, but Cincinnati’s defense gave up at least 34 points for the third time in the last four games. After the game, Burrow was asked if he thought the Bengals were headed to the playoffs.
‘I hope so. I guess we’ll find out,” Burrow said. ‘We know where we stand. I’m not happy with where we are. I don’t think anyone knows, but all you can do is come back tomorrow and try to get better.”