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The Cincinnati Bengals are on track to miss the playoffs for the second straight year after their season struggles continued in a devastating 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Just three years removed from their 2021 Super Bowl appearance and two years from falling in the 2022 AFC Championship game, the Bengals have struggled to resemble the successful team they once were.
The Chargers can thank running back J.K. Dobbins for a game-sealing rushing touchdown that extended their lead, putting the pressure on the Bengals to score a touchdown with just 18 seconds left.
In result of their loss, the Bengals dropped to 4-7 on the season as the Chargers improve to 7-3.
Quarterback Joe Burrow completed 28-of-50 passes for 356 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. On the other side, Justin Herbert had a standout performance, completing 17-of-36 passes for 297 yards, two touchdowns and one fumble.
The Chargers dominated the first half, taking a commanding 24-6 lead entering halftime and holding the Bengals to just two field goals, preventing them from reaching the end zone until midway through the third quarter.
Cincinnati stormed back in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to seven points as they entered the fourth. In a finish that nobody saw coming, the Bengals tied it 27-27, keeping the Chargers and NFL fans on their toes. Despite their strong comeback, their early deficit proved too much to overcome.
The Bengals are two games behind the Denver Broncos for the last Wild Card spot, while the Chargers, now the No. 1 Wild Card seed in the AFC, are on track to make their first playoff appearance since 2022.
Despite their exciting attempt at a comeback, fans took to social media to express their frustrations with Burrow and the Bengals for their lackluster season following their seventh loss of the season.
Dante Koplowitz-Fleming @DanteKopFlem
Joe Burrow has lost 3 games this season in which he had 3+ pass TD, 300+ pass yards and 0 INT — the most such losses in a season in the Super Bowl era@NFLPlus
Alpine Fan Joel @BengalScoutJoel
All the Bengals need to compete next year is a new LG, RG, WR2, WR3, TE1, DT1, NT1, Nickel DT, EDGE 2, a LB that can cover, CB1, CB2, FS
DeAngelo Vickers @DAVickerss
This @Bengals performance is unbelievably bad. I can’t fathom what I am watching
Bengals88 @Bengals88Oilman
Life long bengal fan, watched every game , every preseason game that I’ve ever been able to watch every single year. I’m going to bed and not finishing a game for the first time ever. That’s how bad this team is. Fix it @Bengals coaches, ownership and players. This is broken bad
Hayden McCalib™ @hayden5mccalib
The Bengals want to be the worst team in the league. They are comically bad. Do not root for them unless you want to be disappointed for the rest of your life. Ownership is the root of the problem and it trickles all of the way down.
Brice Odel @datdude_brice43
Unpopular opinion in my part of the world but the Bengals are a very untalented team outside of a generational QB/WR duo. https://t.co/P6XFriEG3O
tmagled @tmagled
this is the most depressing bengals defense ive ever had to watch
i dont even really understand how theyve gotten so bad
just sit here assuming we lose if we dont score 5+ TDs, sad af pic.twitter.com/AU3oJz8zHS
Timmy Hall🎙 @TimmyHallRadio
This is the most frustrating Bengals season since they’ve had Joe Burrow….by a mile. Everything feels bad. Feels off. Feels like they have zero chance at a championship if things don’t change drastically. Just wasting two brilliant players.
Zachary Paschal @almightyy_zach
All these sports analysts trying to hype up The Bengals because of who they have on their roster, truth is they’re not good.
𝓐𝓵𝓮𝔁 ⚡️ @alexfrmdaygo
There not even bad calls, bengals players are making bad plays https://t.co/sofl1LBrI4
The Bengals head into a bye week, while the Chargers will face the 7-4 Baltimore Ravens at home next Monday.
