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They had so many chances to win that game but made too many mistakes. A failed third-and-1 conversion late. A missed field goal. A.J. Green unable to come down with a deep ball down the right sideline. And finally, Burrow's game-ending interception. This is a competitive team, but they've now lost 16 straight on the road.

They blew a 21-0 lead against the Colts in a loss, which is a bad look. But this is a young team that will have those growing pains. Now they get the Browns.

Maybe this is misguided, but it seems playing DT Geno Atkins more than 18 snaps when you have a 21-point lead might be prudent?

Most impactful injury: DT D.J. Reader

Reader suffered a season-ending quadriceps injury during a Week 5 defeat against the Ravens. Before that, Reader was living up to his $53 million contract and solidified a defensive line that has dealt with injuries and an opt-out. He was everything the Bengals were looking for when they signed him this offseason and was in position to help Cincinnati maximize DT Geno Atkins' snaps. But with Reader on IR and gone for the year, the patchwork required on the defensive interior becomes increasingly difficult. -- Ben Baby

Here's a disturbing stat: Under Zac Taylor, the Bengals are now 1-11-1 in one-score games. Cincinnati built a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter against the Colts, but that cushion quickly disappeared once Philip Rivers got hot. The Colts QB threw for 235 yards and two scores in the second quarter alone, looking nothing like the scuffling veteran he's been most of this season. On the positive side for the Bengals, Joe Burrow was much better than a week ago against the Ravens. He even found a connection with A.J. Green (8/96/0), who delivered his best performance of 2020 coming off a week of criticism for his effort level in last week's loss.