Slow Starts and Key Mistakes: One of the primary reasons for their rough beginning is the team's recurring issue with slow starts in games.
Burrow has consistently emphasized that execution in the early part of the season hasn't been sharp, contributing to early deficits that are hard to overcome.
Injury Struggles: Burrow himself has dealt with injuries in previous seasons, including a strained calf that limited his preseason work and potentially impacted his performance
The Bengals' offense depends heavily on Burrow's precision, and any disruptions to his rhythm, whether due to injury or lack of game-time chemistry with receivers
have contributed to the team’s struggles. Additionally, the absence or reduced performance of key players, like Tee Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase, further complicates the offensive flow.
Offensive Line Inconsistencies: A consistent theme across the past three seasons has been the inconsistent play of the offensive line.
Protecting Burrow has been a challenge, and when he's under pressure, the offense has a harder time functioning effectively.
Burrow's ability to move the ball downfield, especially when facing high-pressure defenses, is impacted by the time he has in the pocket.
Defensive Breakdowns: Defensively, the Bengals have experienced critical lapses at key moments in games, which has allowed opposing teams to capitalize
Burrow mentioned how these defensive breakdowns create challenges in mounting comebacks or securing leads.