For a second consecutive week, the Cincinnati Bengals have lost in heartbreaking fashion due to the struggles of their defense. This led to Bengals star running back Chase Brown publicly voicing his frustrations with the team’s inability to close out games on defense after Sunday’s game.
Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco did everything he possibly could to will the Bengals to a victory on Sunday against the Chicago Bears, throwing for 470 yards and four touchdowns.
However, the Bengals would blow a one-point lead in the final minute, allowing a 58-yard touchdown pass with just 17 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Not only has the Cincinnati defense now allowed two game-winning drives in back-to-back games, but they have also given up over 35 points in each game. Simply put, this isn’t going to be a recipe for success for the Bengals, which Chase Brown seems to realize.
More news: CeeDee Lamb Makes Feelings Known on George Pickens’ Cowboys Future
Discussing Sunday’s game in the Bengals locker room with reporters after its conclusion, Brown made it clear that the Bengals need to do a better job defensively in late-game situations in the future.
“We’ve just got to play complementary football,” said Brown. “Like, we put the ball in the end zone and go up a point at the end. Finish the f***ing game. Just end it. That’s it, that’s what we need to do. Just end the f***ing game. Make them give us the ball back and go to a 22-victory (formation) and let’s end the game. That’s how I feel. Any playmaker on this team, we’re all willing to do whatever it takes to win. We have just got to finish. That’s what, going into this bye week, you are thinking. Just finish these games.”
More news: Bears Make NFL History in Action-Packed Win Over Bengals
Obviously, what Brown is asking of his defense is easier said than done. With that being said, it’s hard not to sympathize with Brown and all of the other Bengals offensive players who more than did their part on Sunday.
Now, the Bengals sit at 3-6 on the season, which certainly raises plenty of questions as to what the remainder of the 2025 season may look like for the organization.
Most expect star quarterback Joe Burrow to be healthy enough to return at some point in mid-December from his turf toe injury. That is, if the Bengals are even in a position to contend for a postseason position by the time Burrow is fully healthy.
Losing games in the fashion they did on Sunday will certainly make it more and more unlikely that Burrow is in a position to return this year. So Cincinnati fans are certainly hoping that Brown’s blunt message to his teammates does some good as they enter their Week 10 bye.
For more on the Cincinnati Bengals and all things around the NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.