3 stats from Bengals week 14 loss to 49ers that are unacceptable

The Cincinnati Bengals lost an overtime game to the San Francisco 49ers and fans might be more frustrated about this loss than any of the other five losses on the resumé. The team was down 20-6 but forced overtime only to lose because Zac Taylor wasn’t aggressive when he needed to be.

With the stripes dropping another game, let’s check out three stats from the game that are absolutely unacceptable and can’t happen again if this team wants to punch their ticket to the playoffs.

3 Special Teams Fumbles

When looking at what ultimately decided the game, it’s the fumbles by Darius Phillips on special teams. Phillips lost two fumbles and the 49ers went on to score with both of those extra possessions. They might not have scored touchdowns on both plays but they ended up with 10 points, which proved to be the difference.

Phillips fumbled twice and lost the ball both times but Stanley Morgan also fumbled once when in the role as a return specialist. This team has had issues taking care of the football and special teams is what lost it for the stripes this time around.

Turnovers are something that can’t happen if the Bengals want to be a playoff team.