The Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens showdown on Thursday Night Football had NFL fans buzzing over Cincinnati’s narrow loss and Ja’Marr Chase’s post-game comments that seemed to throw quarterback Joe Burrow under the bus.
Burrow gave another MVP-worthy performance, registering a 428-yard game. On the other hand, Chase’s 268 receiving yards were no less impressive. However, the Bengals still fell short, failing to convert a crucial two-point attempt in the game’s final seconds.
Fans Didn’t Like Ja’Marr Chase Blaming Joe Burrow
With the tension high, many questioned how a game with such strong performances could slip away. And it didn’t help following the game when Chase kind of blamed Burrow for having “missed” seeing him open on the two-point attempt.
JOE BURROW PASS INCOMPLETE.
BENGALS LOSE.
BRUTAL END TO A LEGENDARY GAME.pic.twitter.com/lhiOakpHdz
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 8, 2024
“As a receiver, you should want the ball, yes, but sometimes Joe don’t see it,” Chase remarked after the game.
Fans were not having it with Chase and flocked to X with their comments. One user wrote, “What a loser.”
what a loser
— ev (@0_evo1) November 8, 2024
Another called out Chase, saying, “Trashing your QB after getting 264 and 3 TDs is crazy.”
Fans were shocked, questioning why Chase would make such a comment about his own quarterback. One X user wrote: “Did he just criticize someone who passed it to him 17 times???”
Another fan said, “This is absolutely trash. Come on man get a life.”
“Bro… you don’t do it this way. Team meetings to speak up and ask for the ball when you’re in position, not at the presser 😔,” quipped another.
One more fan tweeted: “Toxic — kind of guy that always bitches and when the team starts losing the magical hamstring will arise.”
Bengals’ Path to the Playoffs
The Bengals’ decision to go for two instead of tying the game wasn’t unusual for head coach Zac Taylor. When asked about the decision to go for two, the Bengals head coach didn’t have a whole lot to add.
“They’re a good football team,” Taylor said. “But we expect to come here and win, and we did everything we could to do that. Doesn’t change the fact that I’m proud that everyone on that field fought and gave us a chance… sickening that this has happened twice to us.”
“Came here to win,” he repeated before moving on to another question.
MORE: Fans React to Terrible Missed Calls in Bengals Game
Although the call was an important part of the loss, fans were actually left frustrated more by the refs than the conversion attempt. The refs missed what many considered an obvious roughing-the-passer call on Burrow during the critical play.
Had the flag been thrown, Cincinnati would have received another shot at the two-point conversion, this time half the distance to the goal line. Although fans were irate, Burrow provided a calm
“You’re not gonna get those calls in that situation,” Burrow said after the game. “I feel like I’ve never really gotten those calls, so I don’t expect that.”
Criticism of officiating grew, with fans questioning whether similar hits on star quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen would have received the same no-call treatment. According to NFL guidelines, any forcible hit to a quarterback’s head or neck area should be penalized, but that didn’t happen here.
The missed call was a tough pill for Bengals fans, as Burrow endured relentless pressure, being sacked three times and hit a total of 13. With the loss, Cincinnati dropped to 4-6, leaving their playoff odds hovering around 25%.
Though the schedule favors the Bengals in upcoming games, it’s a steep hill to climb. Still, if this offense keeps clicking, Cincinnati could become a team no one wants to face during playoff time.