Cincinnati Bengals WR Tyler Boyd attempting to make a catch Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals lost a tough one to the Houston Texans on Sunday, with wide receiver Tyler Boyd making a big blunder late in the fourth that may have been the difference.

On third-and-goal with just over 1:30 left in the fourth quarter, Joe Burrow found Boyd with a good throw for what should have been a go-ahead touchdown, but Boyd could not reel in the pass. The drop forced the Bengals to settle for a field goal that tied the game at 27, giving Houston the opportunity to get the ball back and kick a game-winning field goal.

After the game, Burrow went out of his way to defend Boyd, arguing that the Bengals would not even have been in position to score if not for the wide receiver.

Burrow has a point. Boyd had a huge day otherwise, catching eight passes for 117 yards. The quarterback has always been a great teammate and he was simply not going to throw Boyd under the bus for one drop.

The good news for the Bengals is that their offense is still performing and they are far from out of the AFC North race. They should be fine going forward.

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