5 days Ago By John Sheeran, A to Z Sports
Frustration is at an all-time high for the Cincinnati Bengals following a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, another one-score defeat in gut-wrenching fashion. The Bengals came out of the gates lifeless, trailing 24-6 at the half thanks to red zone inadequacies and a defense that appeared equally clueless as they were uninspired. A 21-point comeback in the second half was soured by two missed field goals from Evan McPherson and the offense failing to get closer to the end zone.
All that frustration is bubbling up for players like Ja'Marr Chase, who put up two touchdowns and 75 yards against a defense that tried to take him out of the game with cloud coverage for all four quarters. It's getting harder and harder for him to hide it all. Ja'Marr Chase airs out frustration towards Zac Taylor, coaching staff Despite all the effort Chase and Co.
put in towards erasing a three-score deficit in the second half, the Bengals' theme of the season persisted when the clock hit triple zeroes. Finishing is not in their DNA anymore. When asked about it after the game, Chase came up answerless aside from an indirect shot at head coach Zac Taylor.
"I don't know, ask Zac. Ask the coaches. Don't ask me.
That's not my job," Chase said. "I play football on the field. I don't call plays for us.
" Repeated shortcomings are almost always related to coaching. Practices and tendencies that aren't corrected despite elite players doing their best to overcome them falls on the decision-makers of the operation. Yes, Chase is an ultra-critical piece of the puzzle who needs to always shine bright when it matters.
He caught his seventh pass and second touchdown of the night with 12:28 remaining and didn't catch another pass for the remainder of the game. The Bengals' offense failed to score the points needed to secure the win and he's a part of that. But who's really blaming Chase for the Bengals' consistent struggles at the end of games? No one who wants to be taken seriously.
Perception is everything. When America watches the Bengals, they see Chase, Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and Trey Hendrickson consistently show up and keep the team in every game they play. They stir the drink while their coaches get overmatched by the opposition.
Finding yourself in the same situations over and over again makes the eye test look accurate. In truth, Chase speaks for all those who are frustrated with where the team is right now. His tremendous season shouldn't be defined by close games turning into heartbreaking losses, but that's the path the Bengals are on with Taylor leading the way.
There are no signs of directions being changed. Frustration will continue to boil, and the Bengals will have a long bye week to get Chase the answers he's missing. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.
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