The Bengals suffered another late-game loss on Sunday night, falling 34-27 to the Chargers after a 21-point comeback to tie the game in the second half.

But the Bengals had several chances to take the lead in the fourth quarter, most notably with a pair of field goal attempts from kicker Evan McPherson.

McPherson first missed a 48-yard attempt wide left with 7:35 remaining in the fourth quarter. Then he missed a 51-yard attempt wide left with 1:52 on the clock.

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said in his post-game news conference that he still has confidence in McPherson, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension with the club in August. But McPherson is now in the midst of his worst season, having converted just 71.4 percent of his field goals in 2024.

“It just wasn’t his day today,” Taylor said.

While he made field goals from 26 and 27 yards in the first half on Sunday, McPherson has missed two attempts from 40-49 yards and four from 50-plus this year.

When asked what he would say to McPherson after the kicker missed the two potential go-ahead field goals, quarterback Joe Burrow paused, shook his head and said, “Nothing.”

Burrow later added that he was confident McPherson would make his 51-yard attempt after missing from 48.

Receiver Ja’Marr Chase also noted that he didn’t say anything to McPherson.

“But he knows how to make those kicks,” Chase said. “That’s why we paid him that money — to make those kicks in crunch time.”

“Everyone has those games,” said Tee Higgins, noting he once had one with four or five drops. “Guys encouraged me to stay on top of it. That’s what I’m going to do with Evan. … The guy he is and all the big games he’s won for us, all I can do is just be a good teammate and encourage him, tell him to look past it. The game is over. Let’s look forward to the Steelers.”

After a Week 12 bye, Cincinnati will play Pittsburgh at home on December 1.