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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-26 at Caesars Superdome on October 16, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals walks off the field after defeating the New Orleans Saints 30-26 at Caesars Superdome on October 16, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
The Cincinnati Bengals? They were riding high like a rocket ready to blast off into the NFL stratosphere! Their star QB, Joe Burrow, had his promise meter set for the sky. Last year Burrow led the Bengals all the way to the AFC Championship, only to face off against the gridiron wizardry of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. It was like a showdown for the ages. Fast forward to this season, and the Bengals, led by the golden arm of Burrow, were primed to snatch the Lombardi trophy right out of the Chiefs’ grasp.
But the Bengals had a rougher start than a rookie in a hurricane. Burrow? He got dealt a lousy hand and sidelined right out of the gate in week 1. He pulled the short straw and ended up with a pesky calf injury during their week 1 training camp, and then, just to add insult to injury, he aggravated it in a real nail-biter against the Baltimore Ravens in week 2. Not just that, the Bengals even lost to the Ravens by 27-24.
Houshmandzadeh’s Warning: Zac Taylor Under the Spotlight
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Come week 5, the Cincinnati Bengals are sitting at 1-3. And Burrow has been slowed down by his injury. Although week 5 brings some resemblance of positive news. The report doesn’t mention Burrow. He obviously isn’t himself because of the calf injury. The Bengals aren’t themselves either. Consistently underperforming and losing.
Former wide-out T.J. Houshmandzadeh has, pretty obviously, taken note of the less-than-stellar performance of the Bengals this season. Speaking to the media about it, he has voiced out his concerns about Burrow and the Bengals. And has even predicted who will take the fall should the Bengals continue their losing streak this season.
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NFL, American Football Herren, USA AFC Championship-Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs Jan 29, 2023 Kansas City, Missouri, USA Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor observes play in the second quarter during the AFC championship NFL game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Chiefs lead the Cincinnati Bengals, 13-6, at halftime. Kansas City GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Missouri USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xKareemxElgazzarx 20230129_lbm_usa_321
“If heads start to roll, it’s going to be Zac Taylor. Because Joe is going nowhere,” the former wide-out said. “Joe will play with the Bengals until he retires. They’re not letting Joe go play for another team. Zac needs to figure out where is the disconnect… Taylor, ultimately, if it continues down this path, will take the lion’s share of the blame. There’s just no other way around it…”
Cardinals vs Bengals: who will score the second victory?
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Come week 5, and it’s time for a gridiron showdown between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Arizona Cardinals. Both squads, sitting at 1-3, are staring down the barrel of a make-or-break moment.
Joe Burrow’s talking about how they gotta put their ‘best foot forward’ for the rest of the season. But there’s a little hitch in that giddy-up. Burrow has to make sure that calf injury doesn’t keep him from actually putting his best foot forward on the field.
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CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 25: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) stands on the field with his teammates during a timeout in the game against the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals on September 25, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire) NFL, American Football Herren, USA SEP 25 Rams at Bengals EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230925036 | Image Courtesy: Imago
So, it’s do or die, Sunday Night style. Bengals vs. Cardinals – who’s gonna grab that elusive second victory? The stage is set, the lights are on, and the fans are ready to rumble. Place your bets, ‘cause this is gonna be one wild ride!
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