Bengals, Joe Burrow should pause early Super Bowl talk after loss to Steelers

The Bengals traded for former New York Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II (who had two sacks on Sunday) to add more pass-rush, but they should've prioritized upgrading their secondary as well. It couldn't stop Rodgers and can't stop many other QBs, for that matter. Cincinnati ranked 26th in the league in passing yards allowed (253.5 YPG) entering Week 3. 

That's an even bigger problem in the AFC, flush with QB talent. This season, the Bengals will face Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson twice (Weeks 7 and 17). They also square off against Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (Week 14) and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (Week 4). 

Burrow, of course, is no slouch. The perennial league MVP candidate completed 28-of-37 passes for 282 yards and three TDs. But he made a bonehead mistake late in the fourth quarter. He fumbled after defensive lineman Derrick Harmon sacked him, and D-lineman Sebastian Joseph-Day recovered.

Fans can trust Burrow not to make another huge mistake like the one on Sunday. But can they trust the Bengals? 

Yes, Cincinnati is 2-1, but if it can't beat a mediocre 2-1 Steelers squad, that undermines the team's validity as a championship contender. Does a team that can't stop an over-the-hill Rodgers belong on the same tier as the Buffalo Bills (3-0), Chiefs (3-0), or even the up-and-coming Jaguars (2-1)? No. 

So, "Joe Cool" can cool his jets on the Super Bowl talk until Cincinnati proves it can beat the cream of the crop. Sunday's loss to the Steelers proves the Bengals aren't ready to do that.