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The Bengals have a rough outing with their afternoon game against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. The weather conditions weren’t great, but both teams had to play in them.
Cincinnati’s defense was banged up, but their offense failed to consistently move the ball all day long. If this was a measuring stick game it means the Bengals are that far off from the top of the AFC North. Here are some of the best reactions to the loss.
Stumbling at the start
The Bengals knew to pull off this upset they’d have to play some of their best football of the season. Instead the start of the game was filled with silly penalties and turnovers. It was even more frustrating that a strong start by the defense was wasted by these mistakes giving the Steelers easy points due to field position.
Steelers get a first down, but forced to punt. Alex Erickson returns the punt 13 yards, where he loses the fumble. Pittsburgh has the ball on the Bengals 32.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) November 15, 2020
Why again do we need Erickson?
Trusty old Alex Erickson
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2020
erickson had a good run for an undrafted player
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) November 15, 2020
Bengals can’t afford for their special teams to be a weakness today.
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) November 15, 2020
The Bengals have had 5 special teams plays and have botched 3 of them
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) November 15, 2020
No shortage of mistakes early for the Bengals. They need to tighten it up quickly if they want to have any hope of hanging in this game.
— Evan McPhillips (@emcphil) November 15, 2020
Rookie redemption
Tee Higgins had a huge miscue when he fumbled the ball after making a reception. It was the kind of mistake that seemed pretty on brand for the team’s first quarter performance. However, the rookie wide receiver wasn’t willing to let the next drive playout the same way by making a huge play that help setup a touchdown for himself.
— BENGALS TALK (@BengalsTalk) November 15, 2020
And another turnover. This time a fumble by Tee Higgins.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 15, 2020
Bengals checking all the boxes for how to get smoked.
Tee Higgins wiiiiide open for a 54 yard gain to the Pitt 22. #Bengals pic.twitter.com/IuQ3pBbpiq
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) November 15, 2020
Redemption of sorts for Higgins. Gets free wide open in secondary and hauls in a 54-yard pass.#Bengals at Steelers 22
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) November 15, 2020
Wiiiiiide open. Higgins slow fade and nobody runs with him.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) November 15, 2020
#Bengals touchdown.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) November 15, 2020
Two-yard strike to Tee Higgins. pic.twitter.com/0dUAcmcQ7F
Joey b throwing darts as always.
— Dj Reader (@Djread98) November 15, 2020
Let’s get it!! Keep building!
— ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️ (@Joe_MainMixon) November 15, 2020
Tee Higgins touchdown. He made up for the fumble on that drive.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) November 15, 2020
Joe’s Cooking now !
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) November 15, 2020
I don’t know if @ochocinco coulda dunked that ball that Easy after Touchdown. #Whodey
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) November 15, 2020
Rough end
The Bengals just never found their footing in this one. Whether it was the injuries, penalties, weather conditions or just the moment being a little too much for this young team, it just never really clicked. The final score was 36 to 10, but the Steelers may have well have been up by 50. It just never felt close. What made it even worse was the amount of hits Burrow took at the end of the game after everything was out of reach. Not exactly the showing you want after a bye week.
Thanks NFL for flexing this game so it could completely ruin my entire Sunday and not just the early afternoon.
— Patrick Judis (@PatrickJudis) November 15, 2020
Geez . https://t.co/hR2dg18D2g
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) November 15, 2020
I just said this too and it's fair - however it's worth noting that the game script at this point is incredibly unfavorable. https://t.co/mHouAXljMS
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) November 15, 2020
Fun Fact: Burrow has played terrible with almost no pressure.
— undstand (@Cincy_Suave) November 15, 2020
But y’all wanna blame the refs
On offense they're obviously missing Mixon, Uzo, and some OL, but the missing OL haven't really been an issue. Burrow hasn't been very good in this game.
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) November 15, 2020
Can’t convert on 3rd downs, turnovers, mental special teams mistakes. Not going to help ya.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) November 16, 2020
maybe the bengals should've fired mike tomlin instead of marvin lewis.
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) November 16, 2020
I'm sure Joe Burrow thinks he has the Steelers EXACTLY where he wants them, but shouldn't we think about pulling him now.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) November 16, 2020
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— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) November 16, 2020
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┻┳| •.•) the bengals haven't
┳┻|⊂ﾉ been swept by the
┻┳|. entire afc north since
2002
Zac Taylor can beat teams like the Titans every once and a while but until you beat the Ravens/Steelers it doesn’t matter. Horribly coached team.
— (@stripe_city) November 16, 2020
(We don’t care about the injuries, play better)
Burrow out here getting teed off on while trailing 36-7 in the fourth quarter.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 16, 2020
Take em out! It’s getting dangerous. We’re couple years away from beating these teams. I pray we hurry up! Freaking Browns are 6-3. It’s still #WhoDey
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) November 16, 2020
So, Zac will fake a punt....so he can kick a FG down 29. That is some high level coaching, right there. #Bengals
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) November 16, 2020
Auden Tate in to block, Redmond pushed back into Burrow's escape route, hit hit hit hit and now Burrow is hurt
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) November 16, 2020
Even if Joe Burrow is lobbying to stay in, the coaching staff has to protect him from himself. #Bengals
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) November 16, 2020
#Bengals have lost 11 (does it go to 11?) straight against Pittsburgh.
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) November 16, 2020
Zac Taylor still without a road win.
Now 2-6-1 this season.
Final: Steelers 36, Bengals 10. This one went about as expected given the circumstances.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) November 16, 2020
On to Washington.