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The Bengals’ Star Players Need to Hold Everyone Accountable

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Will Koshover | Last updated Nov 3, 2025 4:11 PM ET

Just when you thought the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense couldn’t reach a new low, they hit you again with an even worse performance than before. The Chicago Bears and their fans descended on Paycor Stadium, and ripped the men in stripes’ hearts out 47-42 on a game-winning touchdown from Caleb Williams to Colston Loveland with 37 seconds left to end the Bengals’ season essentially. Joe Flacco and the offense were incredible again as he threw for a career-high 470 yards passing with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Tee Higgins was sensational and had one of his best games ever, going for 121 yards receiving and two of the best touchdown catches you’ll see all season. His running mate, Ja’Marr Chase, was his steady All-Pro self as he chases another triple crown with 111 more yards receiving to push his total to 831 with eight games left. The cracks in the locker room seem to be forming between a Super Bowl caliber offense and one of the worst defenses in NFL history. The offensive players are rightfully exasperated, and they need to keep the pressure on the other side of the ball to keep them accountable. The bye week is much-needed for the entire team, and it will be fascinating to see what version of the Bengals shows up in Week 11.

Bengals Ja’Marr Chase takes the ball down the field during their game against the Bears at Paycor Stadium on Sunday November 2, 2025. The Bears won the game with a final score of 47-42.

The Bengals’ Star Players Need to Hold Everyone Accountable

Speak Your Mind

While head coach Zac Taylor wasn’t thrilled with the comments of running back Chase Brown after the game, it gives you a sense of the frustration that’s mounting.

Chase Brown has had it with the defense. “What the f—k.. Finish the f-ing game.” pic.twitter.com/WF9Klk0psc

— Mike Petraglia (@Trags) November 2, 2025

Brown is certainly without fault, as he had a huge drop and a miscommunication issue that Taylor noted. This is where it gets dicey on who’s criticizing whom. Star players have more leeway and weight behind the words they say when performance doesn’t meet their high standards. At the moment, the Bengals need more players who are willing to accept constructive criticism.

Fight for Your Right

The most glaring deficiency of this defense is how lifeless and hesitant they seem to play on every snap. There’s no fight in this group, and that trickles down to young players whom the Bengals have plenty of in starting roles. It’s fair to wonder if Joe Burrow would make a difference in this area. His aura seems to bring everyone up to his level, and it’s disappointing to see this defense continually get run over and dominated.

Better Days

Taylor still believes his team’s best days are ahead. This seems preposterous on the surface, and in the moment, coachspeak is doing some heavy lifting. Whatever it is, his squad needs more men to step up and take ownership of their effort on the field. Pride is a fickle matter when times are tough. It’s what separates players from professionals, and Cincinnati undoubtedly needs more of the latter.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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