The Cincinnati Bengals suffered a heartbreaking defeat to the Baltimore Ravens, losing 35-34 in a dramatic Thursday night showdown. With under a minute left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Joe Burrow launched a pass to the end zone on a pivotal two-point conversion attempt, only to see it sail just over the hands of tight end Tanner Hudson. The missed connection dashed the Bengals’ hopes of completing a remarkable comeback.
Bengals fans, along with Amazon Prime commentator Al Michaels, were left frustrated by what appeared to be two missed penalties on the critical play. The first was a potential defensive holding against tight end Mike Gesicki, and the second was a possible roughing the passer call on Joe Burrow. Despite the apparent infractions, no flags were thrown, leaving Cincinnati with a bitter taste after coming so close to victory.
When Burrow was asked about the lack of penalty calls on the two-point conversion attempt, he responded with a grounded perspective, acknowledging the reality of the situation.
“Yeah, you’re not getting those calls in that situation for the most part,” Burrow said. His response reflected his understanding of how difficult it can be to earn those kinds of calls in crucial moments, particularly in a high-stakes game.
Throughout the game, Burrow also took a number of late hits from the Ravens’ defense, with several instances seemingly warranting roughing the passer penalties. However, the Bengals quarterback appeared resigned to the fact that he might not receive those calls, based on his past experiences.
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“I feel like I’ve never really gotten those calls, so I don’t really expect that,” Burrow admitted. “I felt like there were a couple that were close, but again, I don’t expect those.” His words conveyed a sense of acceptance, as if he knows that some quarterbacks in the league are afforded more protection than others—and he doesn’t expect to be one of them.
Burrow, who earned the 2021 Comeback Player of the Year award and a Pro Bowl selection in 2022, clearly feels that he doesn’t receive the same treatment as some of the NFL’s elite quarterbacks when it comes to officiating. The lack of penalty calls in critical situations only seemed to reinforce this belief, highlighting a disparity that has frustrated both Burrow and Bengals fans.
At least on the two-point conversion attempt, Burrow and the Bengals may have some vindication. Amazon Prime’s rules analyst Terry McAulay, who spent two decades as an NFL official, weighed in on the controversy. McAulay stated that he believed the Ravens got away with two penalties on the decisive play—adding to the sentiment that Cincinnati was wronged in the game’s final moments.
Despite the tough loss, Burrow maintained his composure, focusing on the bigger picture and showing the kind of leadership Bengals fans have come to admire.
The game may have ended in disappointment, but Burrow’s resolve and willingness to keep fighting, even in the face of adversity, continues to solidify his place as a leader for this Cincinnati team.
The Bengals will have to regroup and move forward, hoping for more favorable outcomes in the games ahead, but their quarterback’s resilient attitude suggests they won’t be dwelling on this setback for long.
