Bengals: Joe Burrow delivers morbid post-game interview in Week 8

We’re still trying to process our shock from the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. So is quarterback Joe Burrow.

Words like “trap game” were whispered ahead of Cincinnati’s matchup against the Jets, but no one believed it. No one wanted to believe it. The Bengals were the heavy favorites heading into Week 8 as the AFC North leaders, and following a fairly quick rise to the top this season, they were humbled like never before.

After the game, Burrow spoke to reporters in a post-game press conference about what went wrong in the 34-31 loss, and Burrow didn’t have much of an answer.

"“We had a really good week of practice. We came out flat today.” Burrow adds, “We had a lot of opportunities that we didn’t capitalize on.”"

Burrow is likely referring to multiple red zone opportunities in which the Bengals failed to convert for a TD and had to settle with a field goal or no score at all.

Burrow went 21-of-34 for 259 yards and recorded three touchdowns against one interception. As he told reporters, he believed he played a fairly good game, as did Tee Higgins, who hauled in four catches for 97 yards including a long of 54.

"“[Higgins] played well today. Just didn’t do enough. None of us did.”"

The Bengals star QB looked like a ghost after Cincinnati’s shocking loss, and can you blame him?

Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow reflects on Week 8 loss to Jets

Reporters asked Burrow about almost every mistake he or the team made in the game, and Burrow was less than enthused reliving those situations.

In his curt, tight-lipped responses, Burrow paid faint praise to Jets QB Mike White for his first career start and gave credit where it was due. The New York Jets played their best game of the season and executed where the Bengals didn’t.

Regarding what the Bengals might learn from this loss, Burrow was as monotone as ever.

"“It is what is is, but there’s a lot of football left to be played. I wouldn’t say it’s a valuable loss. Every loss sucks and stinks.”"

While there were naturally a few throws Burrow would like to have back, he still has faith in this Cincinnati team, and they still have faith in him.

And for good reason. The franchise has been built on relatively unshaky ground in 2021, and after Week 8, Burrow, Zac Taylor, and all members of the team will try to move on from this gut punch of a loss.

If anything, the game just showed how much the Bengals still need to mature and develop to make a legitimate playoff run. No one has higher hopes than Burrow, though, and he displayed signs of life toward the end of the press conference.

"Our expectations of ourselves are higher than everybody else’s. You don’t play well enough in this league, you’re gonna get beat by everybody. Losing stings, but we’ll be better for it."

Here’s to hoping we see Burrow crack a smile or two the next time he speaks to reporters.