Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals were expected to field one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses in 2023. Hold that thought.
The Bengals dropped a dud on Sunday in a flaccid 24-3 loss to the division rival Cleveland Browns. Burrow failed to throw for 100 yards. The Bengals failed to eclipse 200 yards. Punter Brad Robbins was the most active player in a Bengals uniform, tallying 10 punts for a whopping 409 yards.
A Cleveland defense anchored by All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett feasted on a Bengals offense that looked nothing like the unit that’s anchored consecutive trips to the AFC championship game.
For much of the game, Cleveland’s offense failed to mount a counter as the Bengals remained within shouting distance through the fourth quarter. But a Myles Garrett sack of Burrow on a Bengals fourth-and-four effort in their own territory signaled that the game was all but over.
After Cleveland extended its lead to 24-3, Burrow didn’t return to the game. Backup Jake Browning finished the game under center with a handful of handoffs to mercifully put an end to Cincinnati’s season opener.
