Bengals, Zac Taylor must figure out which Joe Burrow pill they’re ready to swallow – The Athletic



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CHICAGO – Joe Burrow is set to be sacked 77 times. The pace stats at this time of year are silly just like this one, because if that pace continues, there’s no way Burrow can get through all 17 games.

One day at Soldier Field where he was sacked four times, often without a chance to play, he also took five more hits from the Bears’ abusive defense.

The first two weeks confirmed concerns emanating from an offseason where protection issues were treated with a bandage and an Advil instead of surgery.

Knowing the Bengals would have issues with the league’s highest-paid defensive line, coach Zac Taylor used a heavy game plan on empty rosters allowing Burrow to make up for the run with perimeter wins and come out. the balloon quickly. He completed this by staying with Joe Mixon for 20 pods per week after averaging 4.4 yards per carry.

None of these half measures worked. The Bears knew what was coming in the empty sets and sat on the quick shots. They also stuffed Mixon, keeping him at 3.5 per race and running no more than 10 yards.

Then came the worst football streak in Burrow’s young career, throwing interceptions on three straight passes.

“It’s just me trying to force the ball, I’m trying to push something forward,” Burrow said. “You learn a lesson today that when your defense plays as well as it is, you don’t have to force the balls, you can just let the game come to you.”

Frustration crept in after a day filled with a quick passing game that didn’t work out.



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