Bengals season on the brink after surprising 38-33 loss to Commanders drops them to 0-3

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2024 season with a healthy Joe Burrow and high expectations.

After a disappointing 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on Monday night, the Bengals are 0-3 and their playoff hopes are hanging in the balance.

“We didn't envision ourselves in this spot but here we are,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said. “It's a kick in the gut when you feel really good about the team and you start off 0-3. But again, that is where we are right now. We need to find a way to win next Sunday and get this thing moving in the right direction."

Slow starts have been common during Taylor's tenure, but most can be attributed to Burrow's health. The Bengals have started 0-2 three straight seasons. They were winless through three games to start the 2020 season, but that included a tie.

This is the worst start since they began the 2019 season 0-11, the year before they drafted Burrow No. 1 overall.

On Monday night, Burrow was upstaged by fellow LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels who completed 21 of 23 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 39 yards and another TD.

The Commanders figured to have success on the ground against a Bengals defense that struggles to stop the run. Cincinnati also was missing two key defensive lineman in B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins who were inactive with hamstring injuries. Washington rushed for 108 yards and three TDs on Monday.

Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt didn't help matters this week when he said Daniels and the Commanders ran a “Nice little college offense."

“That's not what we do,” Taylor said. “We praise our own team. Praise the other team. We don't take shots. That team hasn't punted in two weeks. They've scored on every single possession the past two weeks. I have a tremendous amount of respect for what they're doing over there.”

Bolstered by the return of wide receiver Tee Higgins from injury, the Bengals did their best to keep up with Daniels and the Commanders' rushing attack.

Ja'Marr Chase had six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Higgins had three catches for 39 yards. Burrow passed for 324 yards and three TDs, but the Bengals' offense wasn't consistent enough.

“We had our opportunities and didn’t cash in on them," Burrow said. "We stalled out on some drives in the first half. That’s been the common denominator these first three weeks.”

Following Monday night's game, Burrow and Taylor were seen walking into the coaches offices rather than directly into the locker room as they typically do. Burrow acknowledged a private conversation with his head coach.

“It was a very positive conversation,” Burrow said. “We're not happy with where we're at but by no means is the season over. There will be some critical thinking that I will have to do, to see what kind of leader I want to be going forward, whatever I feel the team needs from me.”

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Jeff Wallner, The Associated Press