Rough weather, Browns' defense too much for Bengals in 24-3 loss
Bleh. That's the only word that can describe what the Cincinnati Bengals' offense looked like in their debut showing of the 2023 season. The Cleveland Browns defeated the reigning back-to-back AFC North champions 24-3 on an ugly Sunday afternoon on the shores of Lake Erie. It's the sixth-straight loss Cincinnati has taken on the road in […]
Bleh.
That's the only word that can describe what the Cincinnati Bengals' offense looked like in their debut showing of the 2023 season. The Cleveland Browns defeated the reigning back-to-back AFC North champions 24-3 on an ugly Sunday afternoon on the shores of Lake Erie. It's the sixth-straight loss Cincinnati has taken on the road in Cleveland.
Was it the rain, rustiness, or a revamped Browns' defense that got to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow? All of it. The answer is all of it.
Burrow looked off in every way in his first game of the season, completing just 14 of his 31 passes for 82 yards. He had issues pushing the ball downfield in wet conditions, even opting to using a glove in the middle of the game. He was only sacked twice, but had to evade fairly consistent pressure from Jim Schwartz's aggressive front four lead by Myles Garrett, who had himself a sack.
This is only the second game in the Burrow era where the Bengals failed to find the end zone, and it comes just a day after the 26-year old signed a record-breaking five-year, $275 million contract extension.
Cincinnati's defense held strong for most of the day, keeping the Browns to an average of -0.15 expected points added per play, but a non-existent offensive showing rendered it fruitless as the Browns scored a touchdown in each half along with three field goals.
The story is Burrow and the supposed strength of the Bengals falling flat on their faces in the rain against a defense that has consistently given them fits. The Browns' defense has definitely improved, but this was a shocking way to start the season for Burrow and the offense. Things were clearly not right from the jump, and never got better.
If there is ever a week to look this bad, it's Week 1, the week of overreaction. The Bengals have plenty of time to get right, and it begins next week with another divisional matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Bengals veteran experiences full-circle moment vs. Browns
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Featured image via © Scott Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
