A Faction of the Cincinnati Bengals Fan Base is Misguided, and Joe Burrow Explains Why

[Arkansas Bengal]

 

Jay Morrison | 25 Minutes Ago

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws from the pocket in the first quarter of the NFL Week 13 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pittsburgh Stealers at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. / Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

 

CINCINNATI – There is a small segment of the Cincinnati Bengals fan base that thinks the team should sit quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and other key players for the final five games.

 

Eliminate any risk of injury and preserve the team’s rapidly shrinking margin for error.

 

“Ignorant” might be too strong of a word, so let’s call this a “misguided” mindset.

 

That’s not how football works.

 

And it sure as heck isn’t how Burrow works.

 

He’s intent on hitting the homestretch of the season the way distance runners close races, with a strong final kick.

 

“Keep fighting,” Burrow said adamantly during his weekly news conference, fresh off winning his first career AFC North Player of the Month award.

“I’m going to give it everything I have. There’s still a lot to play for,” he added. “Playoffs are probably out of reach.

 

Personally, and I know everybody in the locker room feels the same way, these are valuable reps to go and prove yourself, prove how you've worked all offseason, prove you can be a guy that can be counted on going forward.”

 

Burrow referenced the cornerstones of the organization in his postgame press conference following the 44-38 loss to Pittsburgh that slammed a spike through the heart of team’s playoff hopes.

 

Who are those cornerstones?

 

“I don’t have an answer for you right now,” Burrow said. “But the next five weeks will say a lot.”

 

That’s plenty to play for. For everybody.

 

And there’s obviously more. Both Burrow and Chase don’t just have a chance to set multiple franchise records, they are on a fast pace to do so.

 

And Burrow has a chance to do something only one other player in league history has done, win a second Comeback Player of the Year award.

He was asked if that award would be meaningful to him.

 

“Very much so,” he said. “It’s not exactly an award people want to be up for. But I find myself in that position. That one would mean a lot to me.”

 

Burrow won it in 2021 after coming back from his ACL surgery, and he’s currently a heavy betting favorite to capture it again this season while playing at an elite level with a surgically repaired right wrist.

 

 

The only other player to win multiple Comeback Player of the Year awards was Chad Pennington, who captured it twice in three seasons while playing for different teams – 2006 with the New York Jets and 2008 with the Miami Dolphins.

 

Burrow’s current statistical ranks:

 

Passing Yards: First, 3, 337

Passing Touchdowns: First, 30

Passing Touchdown-Interception ratio: Third, 6:1

Total QBR: Third, 74.1

Passer Rating: Fourth, 107.4

 

“Whether you come back from injury or not, I always expect to play at the peak of my abilities and be productive and give ourselves a chance to win,” Burrow said. “I think I’ve done that.

 

“I didn’t play as great as I wanted to early on, but that’s how it usually goes,” he continued. “I get better as the season goes. I think I’m playing my best ball right now.”

 

You don’t just pull the plug on that out of fear of the maybe.

 

Burrow was even more demonstrative when asked about personal accolades for teammate and friend Chase.

 

Would he take pride in helping Chase win the Triple Crown?

 

“Hell yeah. Absolutely,” Burrow said before making his clear he’s keeping tabs. “He’s second in receptions. I hope we can get him that.”

 

Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers leads the league with 83 catches, while Chase has 79, which has him tied with Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb.

 

Chase leads the league in receiving yards with 1,142. College teammate Justin Jefferson is second with 1,038. No one else has more than 900.

And Chase has a big lead in touchdowns with 13.

 

Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown and Washington’s Terry McLaurin are tied for second with nine, and both of those players only have four games remaining to Chase’s five.

 

Personal accolades aside, Burrow made it clear he simply loves playing football and he intends to make the most of his remaining five opportunities to put on a Bengals uniform.

 

And the next chance to do will be even more meaningful, Burrow said, because it’s on Monday Night Football.

 

“I always like playing on primetime,” he said. “I like showcasing my abilities and hard work and putting that on display in front of the world.

 

“I think whether you like it or not, how you perform on primetime games matters as far as perception across the league,” he added. “That's when people watch. That's when most people pay attention. And so you have to be consistent. But I think if you perform great on primetime nights, then you start to get a little different reputation across the league.”

 

Since entering the league in 2020, Burrow leads all quarterbacks with a 7.7:1 passing touchdown-interception ratio in primetime games (regular season contests that begin after 7 p.m.).

 

He has 23 touchdowns and only three interceptions in primetime.

 

Burrow’s 285.3 passing yards per game rank third. Only Patrick Mahomes (287.6) and Drew Brees (286.8) have more during that span.

 

And Burrow is fifth in passer rating (99.6), trailing Aaron Rodgers (113.2), Brees (109.6), Josh Allen (104.5) and Lamar Jackson (101.1).

 

While Monday is the last scheduled primetime game for the Bengals, they have a chance to make two more appearances if they can string together some wins.

 

The Bengals-Broncos game is one of five tilts eligible for three Saturday slots in Week 17, with one of those being an 8 p.m. kickoff.

 

And every game is eligible to be flexed into primetime in Week 18. If the Bengals can win four in a row to keep their slim hopes alive heading to Pittsburgh for the finale, that win-and-in, lose-and-out possibility is exactly the type of scenario the league looks for when deciding which game to flex into primetime for the season finale.

 

The more chances under the light the better, according to Burrow.

 

“I want to win, but I want to be fun to watch,” he said. “I always want to be fun to watch. I want people to see my command of the offense and accuracy and playmaking ability and everything that I bring to the table.

 

“But I want people to tune in to the Bengals and want to watch us. And I think people do. I take pride in the fact that we're exciting. I'm exciting to watch. That's something that I take pride in.” 

 

It’s nonsensical to think he and/or the Bengals would want to shut that off.

 

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/a-faction-of-the-cincinnati-bengals-fan-base-is-misguided-and-joe-burrow-explains-why-01jee4hdhamq

[T-Dub]

The stats! Someone think of the stats! And all those advertising dollars! Why aren't you excited about stats and maximizing the Brown Family Trust revenue?

 

Love the competitive spirit but I don't think it's the fans that are misguided on this one.

[sparky151]

Eh, he wants to finish the season strong and get his teammate an award and bigger contract. Hard to fault him for that. He's not going to come out publicly and call for the benching of teammates. 

[T-Dub]

1 hour ago, sparky151 said:

Eh, he wants to finish the season strong and get his teammate an award and bigger contract. Hard to fault him for that. He's not going to come out publicly and call for the benching of teammates. 

 

His body, his choice.

 

Though, given the money and TV contracts behind them, I'm not so sure it is.

[claptonrocks]

26 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

His body, his choice.

 

Though, given the money and TV contracts behind them, I'm not so sure it is.

He signed a 52 mil a year contract to perform at the highest level he can.

He's honoring it.

 

[LostInDaJungle]

It's a good chance to get some younger guys into the lineup. Just... Who?? Burton? Everyone else who shows promise is injured or already playing.

Honestly, the next few weeks should involve some serious soul searching for Zac and Katie. I have a feeling Katie is still more focused on the special glazed ham she ordered for Christmas. It's not she has to worry about losing her job.

Carson, Andy, now Joe. Different coaches. What else needs to change? Is the "plan" you've been following for 50 years to ensure sustained success leading to sustained success? Is your old school management of the cap avoiding the boom and bust cycle - wasn't that the point??

 

Their major achievement has been to be bad enough to get the consensus #1 QB, and the consensus #1 WR two years in a row... By sucking. To be in a position to draft Carson, Joe...

Granted, I'm not feeling generous right now... But what plan has been articulated other than keep the status quo and hope our luck changes? Anyone?? Did I miss a press conference?

Sit 'em, start 'em. IDGAF. Hell, you might as well start 'em, because when their playing days are done the only thing they'll have is their stats. The Titanic is sinking, and the band plays on. It was just a few bad calls, a bad hold here or there. We picked the wrong leftovers out of the FA fridge and got food poisoning... Claiming the Bengals have a plan is as bonkers as claiming you have a strategy for lottery scratch offs.

Even Moses was only lost in the desert for 40 years.

This isn't a coach problem, this isn't a player problem... The fish rots from the head down. Mike Brown was always Mike Brown no matter who the coach was, and we now have a large enough sample size to know that Katie is cut from the same cloth. The hope that someday Mike Brown would turn the team over to a competent heir is dead.

My honest hope now is that the rising financial obligations of being an NFL owner will force the Browns to seek external funding - and external accountability. As long as the Bengals function as their own insular fiefdom, the Brown/Blackburn autocracy will be free to Farquad it up as much as they like. I will cheer the day they sell the team. I will kiss strangers.

Until then... Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky again. Let's pray some prominent DC gets a DUI over Christmas and needs a place to redeem himself. Maybe we can blind squirrel a few good FA's this time around.

[T-Dub]

9 minutes ago, LostInDaJungle said:

Even Moses was only lost in the desert for 40 years.

 

 

[T-Dub]

16 minutes ago, claptonrocks said:

He signed a 52 mil a year contract to perform at the highest level he can.

He's honoring it.

 

 

That's great but if he gets his knee shredded in the next few weeks playing a meaningless game..  who benefits from that?

[sparky151]

2 hours ago, LostInDaJungle said:

It's a good chance to get some younger guys into the lineup. Just... Who?? Burton? Everyone else who shows promise is injured or already playing.
 

 

Good post. As for who I'd like to see, how about younger guys the team used draft picks on? Let's give them at least a few dozen snaps in real games. The starters are no doubt banged up at this point in the season and the youngsters should know the playbook, let's see if they can execute or not. Bring on Lee, MacLachlan, Johnson, Anthony, Murphy, Anderson, Njongmeta, etc.

[Randle P McMurphy]

2 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

That's great but if he gets his knee shredded in the next few weeks playing a meaningless game..  who benefits from that?

 

He's eyeing that 2nd Comeback Player of the Year Award this year.  So if he shreds his knee in say the last game of the year,

he can go for that unprecedented 3rd Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2026!  Probably the only awards he'll win,

(minus his SB and AFCCG participation trophies!) so you can't deny him that!  

[T-Dub]

13 minutes ago, Randle P McMurphy said:

 

He's eyeing that 2nd Comeback Player of the Year Award this year.  So if he shreds his knee in say the last game of the year,

he can go for that unprecedented 3rd Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2026!  Probably the only awards he'll win,

(minus his SB and AFCCG participation trophies!) so you can't deny him that!  

 

 

I could still see him getting the MVP as a consolation prize.  Yippee!

[claptonrocks]

5 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

That's great but if he gets his knee shredded in the next few weeks playing a meaningless game..  who benefits from that?

He's a football warrior don't ya know?

His pride in his performances against whoever and what ever the circumstances matter not.

He'll play till he drops..

A Leader..

[claptonrocks]

2 hours ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

I could still see him getting the MVP as a consolation prize.  Yippee!

The MVP seems to be Josh Allen and deservedly so 

JB keeps on putting up MVP numbers but the Bills are rolling on under Allens play 

Credit where credits due this year 

[stan]

On 12/6/2024 at 9:10 PM, claptonrocks said:

The MVP seems to be Josh Allen and deservedly so 

JB keeps on putting up MVP numbers but the Bills are rolling on under Allens play 

Credit where credits due this year 

Agree.They are not giving the MVP,award to Burrow, if the Bengals continue to play llike they have.No matter,how good his season is.

[T-Dub]

7 hours ago, stan said:

Agree.They are not giving the MVP,award to Burrow, if the Bengals continue to play llike they have.No matter,how good his season is.

 

Unfortunate when the Bills have an actual team. The Bengals might have one win with an average QB. Not to take anything away from Allen but it's clear who is more valuable to their franchise. Burrow is the franchise.

[-GoBengals-]

On 12/6/2024 at 11:12 AM, T-Dub said:

The stats! Someone think of the stats! And all those advertising dollars! Why aren't you excited about stats and maximizing the Brown Family Trust revenue?

 

Love the competitive spirit but I don't think it's the fans that are misguided on this one.

 

wtf are you talking about?

 

how is it you think the stats increase the browns family money?

 

why does this fanbase just make up dumb shit to say?

 

like its fucking impossible grown men who do what they love take some pride it in and have no interest in sitting on the sidelines because the postseason is out of reach?

 

worst fanbase in sports.

[Arkansas Bengal]

[|SF2|]

On 12/6/2024 at 1:33 PM, sparky151 said:

Eh, he wants to finish the season strong and get his teammate an award and bigger contract. Hard to fault him for that. He's not going to come out publicly and call for the benching of teammates. 

Neither Chase nor Higgins needs to play 1 more down this season to get MORE money.   There will be GMs lining up to pay Higgins.  Both Tee’s and Chase’s value is already known and it is high. 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

1 hour ago, SF2 said:

Neither Chase nor Higgins needs to play 1 more down this season to get MORE money.   There will be GMs lining up to pay Higgins.  Both Tee’s and Chase’s value is already known and it is high. 

What is Tee's value in your opinion?

 

We know Chase is above the Jefferson line.

[saphead]

I think Joey B should play both ways to solidify the message to the defense that they suck donkey ass. 

[-GoBengals-]

2 hours ago, SF2 said:

Neither Chase nor Higgins needs to play 1 more down this season to get MORE money.   There will be GMs lining up to pay Higgins.  Both Tee’s and Chase’s value is already known and it is high. 

 

yea some people enjoy what they do and want to do it.

 

 

[claptonrocks]

1 hour ago, I_C_Deadpeople said:

What is Tee's value in your opinion?

 

We know Chase is above the Jefferson line.

Chase 42 per.5 yrs..210 mil total

Tee ....24 per..4 yrs....96 me l total.

(Injuries to Tee scares me )

 

That's the way I would see it.

How bout you?

[|SF2|]

3 hours ago, GoBengals said:

 

yea some people enjoy what they do and want to do it.

 

 

Oh I didn’t say they shouldn’t play.  I was just responding to someone who said Burrow was trying to help them get more money.  In my opinion the league already knows what they have with both players. 

[I_C_Deadpeople]

17 hours ago, claptonrocks said:

Chase 42 per.5 yrs..210 mil total

Tee ....24 per..4 yrs....96 me l total.

(Injuries to Tee scares me )

 

That's the way I would see it.

How bout you?

Seems reasonable. 

[sparky151]

Those numbers look a bit high for Ja'Marr and a bit low for Tee. I'll guess about 36 mil for Uno, which would make him the highest paid non-QB in the league and 27 mil for Tee.