Ryan Finley is a dud in Bengals 16-10 loss to the Steelers

Don’t let the score fool you. The Bengals lost a game that they could have won. However, another lackluster performance by Ryan Finley leads to another Cincinnati loss.

It was a lot of ugly in the Queen City as the Cincinnati Bengals lost another game to move to 0-11 on the 2019 NFL season. The Pittsburgh Steelers managed to do just enough to win a game that was close throughout. In the end, it was a late sack and fumble that cost the Bengals any chance in this one.

Rookie quarterback Ryan Finley has likely sealed his fate, another lackluster performance in a game that was there for the taking won’t help his cause. His numbers won’t either. Finley would finish the day 12 of 26 for 192 yards and one touchdown. His fumble near the end of the game, along with one from Tyler Boyd contributed to two turnovers on the day.

For the Steelers, head coach Mike Tomlin made the switch to backup quarterback Devlin Hodges when Mason Rudolph showed again to be stuck in the mud. The immediate impact was a quick strike to James Washington for a touchdown. Two field goals later by Chris Boswell would prove too much for the Bengals as they would lose an eleventh straight game and second to the Steelers 16-10.

Head coach Zac Taylor will be back to the drawing board as he gets ready for the New York Jets, who beat the Oakland Raiders 34-3 earlier on Sunday. The Jets will bring a three-game winning streak into Paul Brown Stadium, while Cincinnati looks for anything to stem the tide of a losing streak that shows no sign of ending anytime soon.

The biggest question for the Bengals and Taylor moving forward is how much more room is allowed for a Finley who is clearly struggling. With the trajectory of this team pointing straight down, you have to wonder if it’s Jake Dolegala next or a return to veteran Andy Dalton. While a switch might not be surprised, to whom might be, as Taylor will find the hot seat he is on growing hotter by the day.