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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Bill Riccette

Joe Burrow’s Bengals offense shouldn’t be losing based on the numbers

Joe Burrow threw for 324 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The Cincinnati Bengals scored on six of their seven drives Monday and the lone non-scoring drive was a missed field goal. The Bengals did not punt all night.

Yet they still dropped a 38-33 decision to the Washington Commanders to fall to 0-3 on the year.

Somehow, the Bengals are 0-3 despite having one of the best offenses in the league. The team is fourth in offensive expected points added per drive and No. 1 in success rate. Burrow himself had a 0.46 EPA/dropback Monday which was tied for the 8th-highest such total in any game this season. The Bengals as a team are 8th in team passing EPA/play.

The problem right now is they are also 5th-highest in EPA/play allowed at 0.10. Only the Commanders, Rams, Cowboys and Jaguars are worse. Burrow can only do so much and he doesn’t play defense. But you are what your record says you are. The Bengals will try again for their first win of the season Sunday against the Panthers and their old friend Andy Dalton.

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