Joe Burrow heartbroken as Bengals fall to 4-6 despite QB's 428-yard, 4-TD heroics in TNF loss - "Tough pill to swallow" 

For the second time in the 2024 NFL season, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson had a duel for the ages. And yet again, the Baltimore Ravens narrowly edged out the Cincinnati Bengals to sweep the season series between them with a 35-34 win at M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday Night Football.

The loss saw the Bengals slip to 4-6. Burrow, who finished the game with 428 passing yards and four passing touchdowns, made no effort to hide his disappointment about the loss. In the post-game press conference, he said:

"We just got to make the make the opportunities that are there, make the plays. We did in spots and we didn't in spots tonight, and that's been the story of our season. So I'm going to do everything in my power to continue to be ready for the opportunities that come, try to take advantage of them."

Cincinnati is two games under .500, despite having the league leader in passing yards in Burrow, the receiving yards leader Ja'Marr Chase, and the sacks leader Trey Hendrickson. When asked whether he was irked about the trio's All-Pro-caliber seasons going to waste, the quarterback admitted it was hard to digest. He said:

"Yeah this one's been frustrating... I mean, if you look at how we're [myself and Ja'Marr Chase] playing, and then, you look at Trey Hendrickson, how he's playing, yeah, that's tough pill to swallow. But we've had our opportunities. Obviously it's tough when you feel like you're playing well enough to win and you're not, but it's always more to do."

Bengals playoff odds: Cincinnati will have to run the table

The loss to the Ravens was a massive blow to the Bengals' odds of earning a playoff berth. According to the New York Times' playoff simulator, the defeat has left them with a 30% chance of making it to the postseason.

However, if they win their remaining seven games, it's a virtual guarantee that they'll compete in the playoffs.

They do have relatively easy games on their schedule. They will start as heavy favorites against the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, and Denver Broncos. Two of their remaining three games are against the Pittsburgh Steelers and they will travel to the SoFi Stadium to take on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11.

In theory, all seven games are winnable for the Bengals. However, they have been inconsistent this season, which is why they find themselves needing to run the table. The odds are slim, but if Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase continue dominating and the defense improves marginally, Cincinnati could earn a playoff berth.