The Cincinnati Bengals entered Week 3's game at Pittsburgh with a better record but finished dead even with the Steelers at 2-1 after a 30-27 loss that included a Tee Higgins catch of the year candidate. Quarterback Joe Burrow made strong comments about playing on the road vs. playing at home, then played a solid game that wasn't enough to bring a victory back to The Queen City.
Burrow took a serious tone after the game as he laid out how he feels his team should respond.
“Guys go to take ownership of their roles, got to take ownership of themselves, and just be smart situational football players,” Burrow said.
The Bengals' new-look defense was no match for Jaylen Warren as Warren racked up 127 yards on 27 carries. Aaron Rodgers stayed nearly even with Burrow as he finished with 292 passing yards and three touchdowns.
The Bengals' defense intercepted Rodgers once, but Cincinnati lost the turnover battle as they coughed up two fumbles that were both lost. Burrow's strong game (28-for-37 completions for 282 yards and three touchdowns) gave him the confidence to speak up after the gut-wrenching loss to a vulnerable Pittsburgh team, but didn't do anything to erase the sting of what transpired on the field.
The Bengals have some time to rest up and come up with a better gameplan before October 4's road trip to Jacksonville to take on Trevor Lawrence's Jaguars. Coach Zac Taylor's knows the Bengals have the the talent to string more than a few wins together, but it has to happen one game at a time and it has to happen with Burrow leading the way.