Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals had a nightmarish start to their season in a 24-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Burrow finished with a paltry 82 passing yards — the lowest single-game total of his NFL career by far.
After the contest, the 26-year-old QB tried to calm the nerves of those already worried about the Bengals.
“Nobody is panicking in here, guys. Week 1 doesn’t define anybody’s season. Obviously, not very good out there. Anybody that watched saw that. But we have been in this spot before and come back stronger and had great years. That’s what we are going to do,” said Burrow, via the Bengals’ official website.
The Bengals did go 0-2 to start off last season. They performed great the rest of the way, going 12-2 and winning their final eight games.
However, the Bengals’ two season-opening losses in 2022 were by a combined six points. They weren’t as one-sided as the Bengals’ 21-point drubbing against their Ohio neighbors.
Burrow has been dealing with a lingering calf injury that forced him to miss most of training camp. The Bengals QB said his calf “felt good enough” against the Browns.
The Bengals will have a chance to even their record in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. However, another loss then might leave Burrow feeling the weight of expectations stemming from his massive new contract.
