Joe Burrow Criticizes Own “Worst” Performance as Bengals’ Playoff Hopes Officially End

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow delivered a brutal self-assessment after a crushing defeat. His team was shut out 24-0 by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The loss officially eliminated Cincinnati from NFL playoff contention.

The result came just days after Burrow’s candid birthday comments about the struggle to find joy in the game. He took full responsibility for the team’s failure in a critical late-season game.

Burrow’s “Uncharacteristic” Mistakes Prove Costly in Season’s Low Point

The game was a stark reversal from two weeks prior. The Bengals had beaten these same Ravens, fueled by five forced turnovers. This time, nothing went right for the Cincinnati offense.

Early drives showed promise but ended in disaster. A sack took them out of field goal range. An interception followed soon after. The offensive momentum never recovered.

Burrow finished 25-of-39 for 225 yards. He threw two interceptions. “There is not a quarterback in the league that would have won with the way I played today,” Burrow stated afterward.

He blamed unforced errors and mental mistakes. According to Sports Illustrated, Burrow called it “one of the worst games I’ve played.” The performance was an outlier, but its timing was devastating.

Looking Ahead: Teammate Vows Support as Focus Shifts to Next Season

With playoff dreams over, the focus turns to the future. Burrow expressed a desire to play the final three games. He believes the team is not far from a championship level.

Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase acknowledged he may need to provide more support. “I’ve never been in a situation with him where I’ve had to uplift him,” Chase said. He vowed to start doing that for his quarterback.

The organization’s task is now clear. They must build a roster that can contend. The goal is to help their franchise quarterback rediscover his winning form and passion.

This loss marks a definitive end to a frustrating Bengals season. The path forward now depends on supporting Joe Burrow and making critical offseason improvements.

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Are the Cincinnati Bengals eliminated from the playoffs?

Yes. The loss to the Baltimore Ravens on December 14th mathematically eliminated the Bengals from postseason contention for the 2025 season.

What did Joe Burrow say about his performance?

Burrow was highly critical of himself. He called it one of the worst games he has played and said no quarterback could have won with his performance that day.

What did Ja’Marr Chase say about Joe Burrow?

Chase said he may need to start uplifting Burrow more, acknowledging he has never been in a situation where he had to do that before for his quarterback.

Will Joe Burrow play the rest of the season?

Burrow stated he wants to play in the team’s final three games, despite the team being eliminated from playoff contention.

Why is this loss significant for the Bengals?

Beyond elimination, it highlighted ongoing offensive struggles. It also followed Burrow’s recent comments about the mental challenge of playing through injuries and pressure.