Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star quarterback, entered the NFL season with immense pressure to deliver a Super Bowl win, following the signing of the largest contract in NFL history. However, in a surprising turn of events, Burrow faced a tumultuous game against the Cleveland Browns, resulting in a 24-3 loss for the Bengals.
Joey Franchise Under Pressure
Dubbed ‘Joey Franchise,’ Joe Burrow struggled in the season opener, managing only 82 passing yards after completing 14 of 31 passes. This marked a significant downturn for the quarterback, as it was his first NFL game with less than 100 passing yards. In addition to his passing woes, Burrow endured two sacks, resulting in a 15-yard loss, and registered a QB rating of 52.2.
The AFC North divisional clash was further fueled by pre-game comments from Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who controversially referred to the Browns as ‘elves.’ This comment drew a sharp response from Cleveland’s defensive end, Myles Garrett, who deemed it disrespectful. In the end, Chase caught only five of the nine passes thrown his way, tallying 39 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Garrett recorded two tackles and sacked Burrow once during the game.
The Browns relied on running back Nick Chubb, who amassed 127 yards from scrimmage. Cleveland’s two offensive touchdowns came from quarterback Deshaun Watson, who connected with Harrison Bryant for a touchdown pass and contributed a rushing touchdown along with a two-point conversion. Kicker Dustin Hopkins added nine points to the scoreboard through successful field goals.
The Browns extended their winning streak against the Bengals to six consecutive games, setting a franchise record. Burrow, on the other hand, continues to search for his first win against Cleveland on their home turf, having faced three defeats in Cincinnati during his career.
A Message Gone Awry
Before the game, the Bengals attempted to send a message to the Kansas City Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes by announcing Burrow’s contract extension, coinciding with the Chiefs’ season opener. The move was intended to stake a claim at the NFL’s pinnacle and position Burrow as Mahomes’ primary rival. However, the plan backfired, failing to steal the spotlight as intended.
Now Burrow’s lackluster performance raises several questions. Concerns loom about the status of his calf strain, as he claimed to be “good enough” to play. Did the injury hamper him during the game? Will he recover in time to face the formidable Ravens in another divisional matchup next week?
Some attribute Burrow’s struggles to the rainy weather in Cincinnati and the necessity of wearing a glove, making it challenging to grip the ball. These conditions also affected Deshaun Watson’s performance. Others speculate that the pressure of being the highest-paid player in NFL history, earning around $55 million annually, may have affected Burrow’s mental game.
In the end, Joe Burrow’s words after the game encapsulated the sentiment: “Obviously, he’s not up to our standard, he’s not up to mine.” The loss serves as a reality check, reminding fans and players alike that in today’s highly competitive NFL, every game, every point counts, and meeting the weighty expectations is no easy task.
The NFL Season Ahead
As the NFL season unfolds, all eyes will be on Joe Burrow to see if he can overcome this early setback and live up to the immense expectations placed upon his shoulders. With every game in the regular season holding immense significance, the 2023 NFL season promises to be a thrilling and unpredictable journey for players and fans alike.
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