Joe Burrow should be a lock for NFL MVP. Ja’Marr Chase should be a candidate for NFL Offensive Player of the Year. And the Cincinnati Bengals shouldn’t be 4-7.
But here is where the Bengals are after another disappointing loss this season, following Sunday night’s 30-27 loss on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bengals kickoff our USA TODAY Sports’ NFL overreactions from Week 11.
Say goodbye to this iteration of the Bengals
Bengals coach Zac Taylor is on the hot seat. Cincinnati has lost six one-score games this season, and he’ll will be the one to blame.
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The Bengals, who took the NFL by storm with their run to the Super Bowl in 2021, are scratching and clawing for a playoff spot this season. They’re the No. 10 seed in the AFC playoff picture, outside the seven teams that will make it in the postseason.
Wide receiver Tee Higgins is making $21.8 million on the franchise tag. Unless he is franchise tagged again by the Bengals next season, he could also be out the door.
Chase, arguably the NFL’s best receiver along with Justin Jefferson, should also get a historic payday this offseason. But will the historically frugal Bengals give it to him? He’d certainly be worth at least several draft picks in a major trade if Cincinnati wanted to cash in and retool its roster.
And then, there’s Burrow, who leads the NFL with 27 touchdown passes and a 76.2 QBR this season. He’s still Cincinnati’s franchise quarterback. But his best season in the NFL has been a waste through 11 games.
Unless Cincinnati can turn their bad fortune into good, the Bengals will have a new look next year. And it would be a disappointing end to the Burrow-Chase-Higgins-Taylor era if this path continues for the Bengals this season.
Steelers lead AFC North, but won’t win division
Kudos to Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, starting quarterback Russell Wilson, and the rest of the Steelers for buying in. Pittsburgh is 8-2 after last week’s 18-16 win over the Baltimore Ravens, and own a two-game lead in the AFC North.
But don’t celebrate just yet. Tomlin certainly isn’t. Our overreaction on the Steelers: They won’t win the AFC North this season.
Their road to the division title will be tough from here on out: Four of their last seven games are on the road. They’ll play the Bengals twice and the Cleveland Browns twice, and don’t discount division rivals in division games.
The Steelers will also play visit the Philadelphia Eagles, visit the Ravens again, and host the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day.
Pittsburgh’s season is far from over, and the AFC North lead is far from clinched just yet.
The 49ers will make it to the postseason again
Maybe, it’s a Super Bowl hangover from last season. Maybe, it’s the ill effects of three straight NFC title game runs. The San Francisco 49ers’ season isn’t over, but they’re not out the woods just yet.
San Francisco is 5-5 after Week 11, and sitting in the No. 10 seed in the NFC playoff race. They’re staring up at the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks in the NFC West. But they’ve been here before.
The 49ers were 5-5 after Week 11 in 2021, and reached the first of their three straight conference championship game appearances. So, this is familiar territory for San Francisco.
The 49ers can make the playoffs again, and will if they can be more efficient in the red zone: San Francisco has the second-most yards in the NFL, but rank in the bottom half of the league with a 48.8% red zone touchdown efficiency (26th) and just 23 total touchdowns (tied for 17th) this season.
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