The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to compete for the AFC North title, especially after the return of quarterback Joe Burrow.
However, the Bengals had their worst performance in Week 1, losing 16–10 to the New England Patriots at home, despite being expected to finish last in the AFC East.
Burrow played his first game since Nov. 16, when he suffered a season-ending wrist injury against the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow had a solid training camp, but he fared poorly against the Patriots, completing 21 of 29 passes for just 164 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was also sacked three times behind a porous offensive line.
The players’ offensive play was so inept that many of the 66,214 fans in attendance at Pecor Stadium booed the players.
“We had opportunities, but we didn’t take advantage of them.” Burrow said. “It wasn’t our best day. We’ll come back, learn from it and play next week.”
The Bengals faced several other challenges entering the game.
Cincinnati’s three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase participated in the game despite being absent from training camp because of a contract dispute that has been a distraction throughout the offseason. Chase was listed as questionable because he had an illness, which he said was food poisoning. He wasn’t very impressive, finishing with six catches for 62 yards.
“We’re not nervous,” Bengals center Ted Karras said”We lost to a good team, 16-10. It was an offensive morass, and we’re going to need to score more than ten points to beat anybody in the NFL.”
Burrow greatly missed his fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins, who missed the game with a hamstring injury.
That meant more targets for the tight ends, who also had a forgettable day. Mike Gesicki lost a potential touchdown that could have changed the course of the game, and Tanner Hudson fumbled on the goal line.
“We just couldn’t get into a good rhythm,” the Bengals coach said Jack Taylor said”I can’t say exactly what it was. I thought we had a good plan. People knew what to do.”
The Patriots defense managed to dominate the Bengals Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Matt Judon was traded to the Atlanta Falcons On August 15, Judah launched a Career highest performance with 15.5 sacks He was called up to the team in 2022 before being limited to four games last season because of a torn biceps.
The defense limited the Patriots to just one touchdown, but Taylor was not happy with the number of missed tackles and the 170 yards rushing allowed.
Cincinnati did not force a turnover despite a few chances. Bengals safety Geno Stone dropped an interception. Stone last season ranked second in the NFL Dallas cornerback Darren Bland (nine) with seven interceptions as a member of the Ravens.
Special teams also struggled with a punt fumble by returner Charlie Jones that led to a Patriots field goal in the second half.
It’s only one game, but the schedule isn’t easy for the Bengals, who have to travel to Kansas City to play the two-time Super Bowl champion Chiefs in Week 2.
“We have 16 matches left to play,” Taylor said“Starting 0-1 is definitely a position we didn’t want to be in, but I feel good about how this team is going to regroup.”
