Be it offense or defense, several issues disrupted the Cincinnati Bengals’ pace in the game against the Denver Broncos. These self-inflicted issues, penalties, and more ultimately saw the team take a hit. There’s heartbreak from the loss and frustration, but both the coach and the QB, Jake Browning, didn’t hesitate to call out the issues.

“It’s a lack of discipline,” coach Zac Taylor told the reporters. “As a whole, it’s not nearly good enough. We’ve got to get it cleaned up,” he added while addressing the penalties. The Bengals had 11 penalties for 65 yards. They had 14, and three of those were declined. It has been a while since the team has been without its starting QB Joe Burrow and also without a win.

And Browning believes that each player is responsible for the loss. “I don’t think it’s a play call issue,” Browning said during the press conference. He called out the locker room and pointed out the issues that need to be fixed for a win. “Everyone plays a role,” he said. He completed 14-of-25 passing for 125 yards while taking three sacks.

While he didn’t have any interceptions but that might have been due to his careful approach to avoid any risks of throwing the ball downfield. He was leading the league in interceptions with 5. The last game against the Minnesota Vikings wasn’t much different for the Bengals where they struggled in run game. Browning had interceptions.

While he believes that the locker room has made mistakes, he clarified that lack of effort isn’t one of them. “I don’t question anybody’s effort in the locker room,” he explained. “I don’t think that’s how everything goes for the Bengals,” he further added. This may have been in response to the wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who was vocal about his frustration during the game.

At the end of the third quarter, the WR was seen walking over to the coach for a conversation. Their interaction seemed to be a heated exchange over the mistakes. Both the player and the coach called it just a discussion.

However, Coach Taylor also added,  “He’s competitive. He wants to win.” “Works his tail off. We’re looking for ways to get him the ball. I love Ja’Marr.” That perhaps was the coach’s way of expressing the WR’s frustration. And Chase’s emotion after the heartbreaking loss is understandable.

Ja’Marr Chase is left ‘frustrated’ after the Cincinnati Bengals’ devastating 28-3 defeat

While Browning explained that effort wasn’t an issue, the WR pointed out that particular aspect as the issue for the team’s loss. “Urgency is there, man, it’s just you gotta want it,” Chase explained. “At the end of the day, we gotta want it. Today, it didn’t look like we wanted it.”

The wide receiver managed just five catches for 23 yards. By the end of the third quarter, with the score at 21-3, the Bengals had totaled only 141 offensive yards and eight first downs, while the Broncos had racked up 400 yards and 22 first downs in the same span. The game ended with Cincinnati posting just 159 offensive yards, and wide receiver Tee Higgins contributed only three receptions for 32 yards.

It’s clear this performance was the breaking point for Chase. “I’m always frustrated if I’m losing,” Chase explained. “But it’s part of the game, man. Sometimes the emotions take over. Sometimes it looks like what it’s not supposed to. It happens.”

With Bengals QB Burrow out, the Bengals will be looking to rebound and avoid another tough loss when they take the field next to face the Detroit Lions.