Watch: Bengals' Burrow makes surprising mistake vs. Steelers

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Watch: Bengals QB Joe Burrow makes surprising mistake vs. Steelers

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Dec 1, 2024 3:47 PM ET

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow didn't look like "Joe Cool" early in the fourth quarter of Sunday's home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

On a 3rd-and-8 at Cincinnati's 29-yard line, Steelers linebacker Nick Herbig sacked Burrow and forced a fumble. Rookie linebacker Payton Wilson scooped up the ball, returning it for a 21-yard touchdown, giving Pittsburgh a 41-24 lead.

STEELERS STRIP BURROW AND TAKE IT TO THE HOUSE.

: #PITvsCIN on CBS/Paramount+
: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/sk7yROULso
— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024

Although Burrow could've protected the ball better, the play highlights how the Bengals O-line is outmatched against the Steelers' formidable defense.

According to Pro Football Reference, the Bengals allowed 26 sacks and 90 pressures in their first 11 games. The Steelers, meanwhile, gave up the third-fewest points in the league (16.9 PPG) through their first 11 games.

For the most part, Burrow has been excellent this season, tossing 27 TD passes in his first 11 starts. However, the Bengals tend to rely on him too much, which is one reason they may miss the playoffs for a second straight season.

As of Sunday, ESPN's Football Power Index gives Cincinnati a 13.1% chance to make the postseason, but that will likely drop after falling to the Steelers, 44-38.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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