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    • Bengals pass interference, analysis of NFL Week 2 loss to Chiefs
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    Bengals pass interference, analysis of NFL Week 2 loss to Chiefs

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    KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Cincinnati Bengals are in a spot they know all too well: an 0-2 start to the season.

    Cincinnati lost 26-25 to Kansas City in a thriller at Arrowhead Stadium, as usually happens when quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes face off. The Bengals outscored the Chiefs for most of the game, but it was Kansas City that ultimately found a way to win.

    “It’s an emotional loss for us,” head coach Zac Taylor said after the game.

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    Bengals Wrap: Missed Opportunities Cost Big Game in Kansas City

    Bengals reporter Kelsey Conway breaks down the Bengals’ Week 2 loss to the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

    After a disappointing performance in the season opener against the Patriots, the Bengals showed improvement on both sides of the ball. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looked like the quarterback you saw before he suffered his wrist injury last season. Cincinnati’s defense forced Mahomes to throw two interceptions.

    It seemed like the perfect recipe to beat the Chiefs on their own turf until the final play of the game. Mahomes is known for his ability to keep plays alive, and with a fourth-and-16 in the final seconds of the game, the Bengals knew there was one thing they couldn’t do: allow a penalty to extend the series.

    Rookie safety Daijahn Anthony was then assessed a pass interference penalty after it appeared the Bengals were going to win the game. The Chiefs then got within range of Harrison Butker’s field goal and won by a walk-off score.

    Burrow described Sunday’s loss as one of the most “frustrating” he’s ever experienced and knows his team let one slip away.

    So, where do the Bengals go from here and what do you make of the loss to the Chiefs? Let’s take a closer look.

    After a disappointing performance against the Patriots in Week 1, questions rightfully arose about the status of Burrows’ wrist. He dismissed those questions several times Sunday afternoon.

    Burrow completed 23 of his 36 passes for 258 yards and two touchdowns, good for a quarterback rating of 103.7. His longest throw of the day was a 47-yard deep pass to rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton.

    And while there are no moral victories in the NFL, it was certainly encouraging to see Burrow looking like himself again. Burrow, however, wasn’t interested in giving himself any kind of praise.

    Joe Burrow stats, performance, wrist injury

    “We didn’t do enough to win the game, so we still have a lot to improve,” he said.

    The Bengals offense is utilizing tight ends more

    Get used to hearing the names Mike Gesicki and Erick All a lot this season. Ever since the Bengals drafted Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, the offense has been heavily centered around those two and former slot receiver Tyler Boyd.

    That will continue to be the case this season when Higgins returns to the field, but what you saw from the Bengals’ tight ends against the Chiefs was something new. Burrow threw 14 passes to his tight ends for 151 yards in Kansas City — a personal best for him.

    Chase was doubled by the Chiefs all game and the Bengals were prepared for that. Other players would have to step up in the passing game if Cincinnati wanted to beat the Chiefs.

    That was the case, and now the Bengals’ opponents will have to game plan differently for Cincinnati, and that’s a good thing. It won’t be easy for defensive coordinators to focus solely on removing Chase and Higgins. If Gesicki and All continue to show up, Cincinnati’s offense has a chance to be even more dynamic than it was last year.

    Trey Hendrickson is Bengals MVP behind Joe Burrow

    Cincinnati’s Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson continues to show up when his team needs him most.

    Hendrickson was unstoppable against the Chiefs. Hendrickson had favorable matchups all game and capitalized on them with three quarterback hits and two sacks. He harassed Mahomes in the pocket for four quarters, and when the rest of Cincinnati’s defensive line struggled with injury attrition, he just kept delivering for the Bengals.

    Hendrickson is one of the NFL’s best defenders and he proved it again against the Chiefs.

    Defensive tackles B.J. Hill and Sheldon Rankins are dealing with hamstring injuries and it’s unclear how long, if at all, they’ll miss. If the Bengals are without either player, Cincinnati will have to rely on Hendrickson even more.

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