Cincinnati's star quarterback has faced a barrage of criticism after starting the season 0-3, with former NFL players questioning his ability to win close games.
In an unprecedented start to his NFL career, Joe Burrow has found himself facing an unfamiliar reality: defeat. After three consecutive losses, the former No. 1 overall pick has become the target of scrutiny and criticism.
Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals suffered a gut-wrenching loss to the Washington Commanders on Monday night, marking the first time in his career that he has started a season 0-3. His performance, which included impressive statistics but a lack of clutch play, has drawn the ire of former NFL players and analysts.
Joe Burrow's Excuses Run Dry: Bengals QB Criticized for Lack of Clutch Play
Former defensive lineman Chris Canty, now an ESPN analyst, expressed his frustration with Burrow's excuses after the loss to Washington. "I'm tired of all the excuses for Joe Burrow," Canty said. "The defense let Joe Burrow down? No, Joe Burrow let Joe Burrow down."
Canty's criticism focused on Burrow's inability to lead his team to victory in critical moments. Despite the Bengals' impressive offensive output, Burrow failed to convert crucial drives into touchdowns, resulting in a 38-33 defeat.
Joe Burrow's Excuses Run Dry: Bengals QB Criticized for Lack of Clutch Play
Burrow's performance has been a stark contrast to his previous successes. In his second NFL season, he guided the Bengals to the Super Bowl, and the following year, they reached the AFC title game. However, after suffering a season-ending injury in 2022, Burrow has struggled to regain the same level of dominance.
Despite Burrow's statistical excellence, questions linger about his ability to deliver when the stakes are highest. This criticism is particularly concerning given the Bengals' high expectations for the season.
Joe Burrow's Excuses Run Dry: Bengals QB Criticized for Lack of Clutch Play
The Bengals' defense has also come under fire after allowing the Commanders to score touchdowns on five of their six drives. However, Canty placed the blame squarely on Burrow's shoulders. "You know what the answer is?" Canty said. "It's not enough. You know how I know it's not enough? Because you don't have a win, and you're going into Week 4."
Burrow's struggles have not gone unnoticed by his head coach, Zac Taylor. Taylor acknowledged the need for improvement after the loss to Washington. "We've got to make plays when we need to make plays," Taylor said. "We've got to be more consistent, and we've got to execute better than we did tonight."
In a fortunate turn of events for the Bengals, they will face the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. The Panthers, who have also started the season 0-3, could provide the Bengals an opportunity to get back on track. However, if Burrow fails to deliver in this crucial matchup, his critics will likely grow even louder.
As the Bengals prepare for their pivotal game against the Panthers, Burrow faces an uphill battle to silence his doubters. With the season slipping away, he must prove that he can lead his team to victory and regain the confidence of his critics.
