3 Bengals who must step up versus 49ers in week 14

Joe Burrow

It’s hard to say someone as good as Burrow, who is primarily responsible for this years success needs to step up, but facts are facts, and Burrow is simply making too many mistakes to facilitate a postseason run.

Joe Burrow currently leads the NFL in interceptions. Granted not all of those picks are on Burrow. In fact Sunday against the Chargers, Burrow put the prettiest deep ball in Cincinnati this side of Jeff Blake (look him up kiddos) right into Ja’Marr Chase’s proverbial bread basket.

Unfortunately since Chase, per league rules isn’t allowed to use an actual bread basket, it turned into yet another drop/batted interception. More egregious however was the end zone pick that was still to come. That one WAS on Burrow.

While we as fans appreciate and admire the swagger and fearlessness with which Burrow plays, in order for this team to make the playoffs we may need to see more Andy Dalton era caution on some of those throws. Burrow believes he can fit the ball into the tightest of windows, and very often he is correct. However in a negative game script, while trying to dig out of an early hole, every possession is precious.

Of course its easy for pundits and arm chair quarterbacks like myself to say this, however I can’t  believe that a player with as high level of a Football IQ as Burrow doesn’t recognize and understand this point, and hopefully address it.

If the Bengals are to string together enough wins in their final five games to make the playoffs or win the division, it has to start Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. It has to start with their best player playing his best football.

This is a golden opportunity to put the NFL on notice, flip the script, change the narrative, or whatever cliche you prefer. Bottom line is, Joe Burrow MUST step up against the 49ers Sunday in Paul Brown Stadium.

Here we go again Bengal fans! Another crucial game following a disappointing loss, but can the Bengals put together a full four quarters and continue this drive to the postseason?