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After the fifth Bengals loss in nine games this season, fans are tired of Marvin Lewis’ act. The number of incredibly talented and above average players on the Bengals’ roster is thought to be great. But, through nine games, we’ve seen a group of players who hardly appear to be even average NFL players (with the exception of a few including A.J. Green and Tyler Eifert).
What happened since last year’s Bengals team launched off to an 8-0 start? At this point a year ago, Cincinnati was 8-1 and sitting pretty with the AFC North lead. Currently, no team in the AFC North has more than five wins, but instead of taking advantage of that situation on Monday Night Football when playing against the Giants, the Bengals lost by one point and brought their record to 3-5-1. It feels weird even typing that. Every week this season, we’ve tried to find reasons to be hopeful regarding this Bengals team, but at this point, it’s hard to continue doing that.
Lewis’ clock management, in-game decision making and overall coaching needs to be seriously questioned in this short week leading up to the Bengals’ Week 11 game against the Bills.
Here’s a look at the largely depressing social media reactions following the Bengals’ loss to the Giants on Monday Night Football.
Janoris Jenkins on A.J. Green: "It was a great matchup. Great receiver. We battled our behinds off. He made some plays. I made some, too."
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 15, 2016
I'm one of the biggest Marvin Lewis supporters and even I think it's time for him to go. You can literally see the complacency.
— Braden Whited (@BradenWhited) November 15, 2016
Before tonight, Marshall Newhouse said he had not played this many snaps at guard since high school.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 15, 2016
Coach McAdoo: The more attempts you get in the run game the better chance you have to get your guys in a rhythm. #CINvsNYG
— New York Giants (@Giants) November 15, 2016
Giants had 2 4th-quarter sacks Monday, more than they had in the 1st 8 games of the season combined (1)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) November 15, 2016
This week last season the #Bengals had only just been handed their first loss. @Enquirer pic.twitter.com/asEYK3KzOn
— Sam Greene (@SGdoesit) November 15, 2016
— Connor Howe (@HoweNFL) November 15, 2016
Who's sick of Marvin Lewis saying sh*t like this after losses: "It was a back and forth game and we didn't win the back and forth"?
— Cincy Jungle (@CincyJungle) November 15, 2016
"We had too many penalties. We can't have that,-Marvin with Lap. #BrokenRecord #Bengals
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) November 15, 2016
Marv: we have to protect the QB better
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) November 15, 2016
Lord... you can tell Marvin Lewis is incredibly frustrated.
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) November 15, 2016
Brutal loss for the Bengals drops them to 3-5-1
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) November 15, 2016
The bye week didn't solve anything. Poor protection, lousy execution on third down, miserable in the red zone. Bengals lose 21-20.@WCPO
— John Popovich WCPO (@Popo_WCPOSports) November 15, 2016
Today's game brought to you by the letter L
— Braden Whited (@BradenWhited) November 15, 2016
So depressing to see your window closing without a single playoff win to show for it. So much wasted talent. #coaching #WhoDey #bengals
— Nick Lachey (@NickLachey) November 15, 2016
7th time in 9 games #Bengals have failed to top 23 points.
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) November 15, 2016
They topped 23 points 12 times last season.
That college teammate bond...@OBJ_3 + @JeremyHill33 have it. #CINvsNYG pic.twitter.com/KeE4gvTY23
— NFL (@NFL) November 15, 2016
Outside of their elite players on offense (Green & Eifert), who is playing above their talent level on this team? That's coaching.
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2016
When you think about the defense, don't forget the Bengals got new position coaches at CB, LB and DL this offseason.
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2016
OBJ said he's "not a big vocal guy"
— Eric Edholm (@Eric_Edholm) November 15, 2016
Odell Beckham had 10 receptions for the first time since 2014. pic.twitter.com/6uKgyPkTdg
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 15, 2016
Positives:
— Possibly Mike Brown (@MikeBrownGM) November 15, 2016
1. The Steelers, Ravens and Browns also suck;
2. NFL rules require someone to win the AFC North. #Bengals
Top-graded @Bengals on defense:
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 15, 2016
1.LB Vontaze Burfict 99.1
2.LB Vincent Rey 87.3
3.DT Geno Atkins 85.6
4.CB Dre Kirkpatrick 80.3#CINvsNYG
Top-graded @Giants on defense:
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 15, 2016
1.DE Olivier Vernon 83.6
2.DE Jason Pierre-Paul 83.2
3.CB Eli Apple 79.8
4.DT Damon Harrison 79.8
Top-graded @Giants on offense:
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 15, 2016
1.WR Odell Beckham 82.7
2.LT Ereck Flowers 77.2
3.RB Rashad Jennings 72.5
4.QB Eli Manning 71.4#CINvsNYG
Lose by one point, but don't try to score before haltime. Ok.
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2016
I'm not sure what direction the Bengals would go with a top 10 draft pick.
— Dan Kadar (@MockingTheDraft) November 15, 2016
Andy Dalton's final stat line: 16 of 25 on aimed passes for 204 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT. 61.0 QB rating on 11 dropbacks under pressure #CINvsNYG pic.twitter.com/mNhMWEEaMZ
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) November 15, 2016
I learned Andy Dalton is a hero to all red-heads after Bengals-Giants game. pic.twitter.com/Nfr7DLwCz8
— Andrew Perloff (@andrewperloff) November 15, 2016
The Giants are having their way with the AFC North. Actually, on second thought - the entire league is having its way with the AFC North
— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) November 15, 2016
This #Bengals team and coaching staff show zero fight and zero urgency. Zero accountability. Frustrating is an understatement.
— Scott Bantel (@ScottBantel) November 15, 2016
Asked Marvin Lewis about the message to finish this week. He laughed and said that's always the message.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) November 15, 2016
That message. Return to sender.
The people who doubted Bengals were right https://t.co/9wSwK6NqT4
— Ed Werder (@Edwerderespn) November 15, 2016
Season over. Goodnight folks.
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2016
Giants tame the Bengals for the W! pic.twitter.com/I99vh1J8ZP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 15, 2016
The Bengals have played nine games. They've won three. Enough said.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) November 15, 2016
This picture says it all. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/ex8pxycl3e
— Bengals SPORTalk (@SPORTalkBengals) November 15, 2016