3 stats from Bengals week 14 loss to 49ers that are unacceptable
5 Sacks on Joe Burrow
The Bengals have a rare gift with Joe Burrow as their quarterback. Teams search like crazy for franchise quarterbacks and Cincinnati had one dropped right into their laps when they had the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
As a result of having a franchise quarterback, Cincy needs to do a better job at protecting their signal-caller. They did not do that on Sunday, as the offensive line surrendered five sacks on Burrow and allowed him to get hit nine times.
Not only did Burrow get sacked five times but it felt like whenever there was a key moment when the Bengals had to get a first down, the pass protection crumbled.
This Bengals pass protection just seems to disappear on the biggest plays of the game.
— Blake Jewell (@BlakeJewellNFL) December 13, 2021
The Bengals have now had two offseasons to give Burrow the best possible offensive line and they’ve failed to do so. While they’re 7-6 and still in playoff contention now, if their o-line continues to disappear in the big moments, this team won’t be making the playoffs.
Burrow ended the game with good numbers (25-of-34 for 348 yards and two touchdowns) but they could have been even better if his pass protection had held up.
Considering how Joey Franchise’s season ended last year, one would think the o-line would have bene a bigger priority this past offseason. Hopefully, they learned their lesson and upgrade at key positions along the line this spring.
light. Related Story. 3 Winners, 3 Losers from Week 14 Loss
These three stats were unacceptable for Cincinnati and if they want to make the playoffs, they have to clean up majorly in these three areas.