Joe Burrow takes refined shot at Justin Reid; Bengals QB reacts to sudden MVP discuss

CINCINNATI — Ja’Marr Chase declined to speak about it after the Bengals‘ 27-24 win over the Chiefs. Fellow Bengals wideout Tee Higgins additionally shrugged off a query about Justin Reid, the Chiefs security who, amongst different issues, stated that he was going to “lock down” Higgins forward of Sunday’s sport. 

Joe Burrow, albeit briefly, did tackle Reid’s feedback throughout his postgame press convention. Burrow’s feedback got here after he defeated Reid and the Chiefs for a 3rd time in a calendar yr. 

“Truthfully, I didn’t actually care,” Burrow stated. “I’d have cared much more if he knew what he was speaking about. Perhaps he hadn’t been within the scouting report. I don’t know. It’s what it’s.” 

The Bengals quarterback was additionally requested to reply to coach Zac Taylor — amongst others — saying that Burrow ought to be within the middle of league MVP chatter. After an 0-2 begin, Burrow has led the led the Bengals to an 8-4 file. Led by Burrow, the defending AFC champions have received 4 straight video games. 

“It’s what it’s. I don’t play the sport for these type of accolades,” he stated. “I play the sport for these guys within the locker room. I’ve all the time stated, no matter it takes out of me each Sunday, that’s what I’m going to do. I may hand the ball off 72 instances and are available out with a win, I’m going to be comfortable.” 

Burrow threw the ball 31 instances on Sunday. He accomplished 25 of these passes for 286 yards and two landing passes with no interceptions. Burrow additionally ran for a landing whereas turning into the primary Bengals quarterback since 1979 to run for 5 touchdowns in a season. 

The reigning Comeback Participant of the 12 months led the Bengals on three scoring drives after Cincinnati had fallen behind early within the second half. His landing move to Chris Evans — following Germaine Pratt’s large compelled fumble of Travis Kelce — proved to be the game-winning rating. 

“Our group is aware of what it takes to win these sorts of video games,” Burrow stated of his group’s resilience. “It’s December now. That is once we begin to flip it up and discover methods to win these video games. We’re going to get again to apply, hold getting higher, right the errors and transfer on.” 

The Bengals received regardless of not taking part in their finest. Former Bengal Carlos Dunlap stuffed Trent Taylor on fourth-and-goal on the finish of the primary half, denying Cincinnati an opportunity at extending its 14-10 lead at halftime. Trailing 17-14, they settled for a discipline purpose on their first half of the second half after usually sure-handed receiver Tyler Boyd dropped a certain landing. 

As an alternative of letting these errors fester, the Bengals responded with large performs that led to factors, even after the Chiefs scored once more following Boyd’s drop to increase their result in seven factors. Cincinnati responded with consecutive scoring drives that had been accomplished by large defensive stops. Fittingly, it was an enormous third-down catch by Boyd that helped arrange Burrow’s game-winning landing move. 

“It’s robust to go away factors out on the sector like that, however he responded properly and got here up with some large catches and massive blocks in key moments,” Burrow stated of Boyd, the elder statesman of the Bengals wideouts. “That’s what I’m speaking about. Unselfish guys that care actually exhausting to make performs in these moments.” 

Burrow was the headliner, however Sunday’s win was a group effort. He continues to obtain stellar blocking from Cincinnati’s revamped offensive line consisting of newcomers Ted Karras, La’el Collins, Alex Cappa and rookie Cordell Volson. The road allowed only one sack on Sunday whereas serving to the Bengals rush for 152 yards and a landing on 34 carries. Samaje Perine ran for 106 of these yards on 21 carries. 

“When you’ve gotten that type of time within the pocket, it’s exhausting to not discover any individual open,” Burrow stated. “What else this has finished is gotten us some extra off-schedule alternatives. We’re beginning to have the ability to run the ball extra now. If one thing’s not open, I nonetheless have time to seek out an escape lane, get out of the pocket and attempt to make a play. I can’t say sufficient about these guys.” 

The sensation is mutual between Burrow and his linemen. 

“He’s among the best that I’ve been round,” Collins instructed CBS Sports activities after the sport. “The way in which that he does the issues that he does. You’ll be able to’t replicate that. He’s a particular human being.” 

Burrow additionally pointed to the cohesion he has along with his wideouts. Just like the Rams‘ “Biggest Present on Turf” offense of the late ’90s/early ’00s, the Bengals offense has impeccable timing that permits it to be the aggressors. 

“Our receivers actually perceive spacing and timing and ideas that we’re working towards zone protection,” Burrow stated. “And once we’re in man protection, our guys are going to go win as a result of we’ve three of the highest receivers within the NFL. We work actually exhausting, each single day, each single week in apply, to get all of our ideas precisely the best way we wish them. We’ve a continuing dialogue about what we count on from every route. … It’s a enjoyable offense to be part of.” 

Burrow was requested a number of instances concerning the Bengals’ success towards Kansas Metropolis. Whereas the questions had been extra geared towards his particular person play towards the Chiefs, Burrow attributed his group’s success in these matchups to the group that the Bengals have put round him. He additionally pointed to the group’s tradition. 

“We’ve obtained gamers which were in these spots earlier than,” he stated. “Whether or not it’s faculty or final yr, we’ve collected gamers that the group has finished an important job of discovering the correct guys. It issues to them. They’re going to work actually exhausting to placed on their finest performances each Sunday. The character of those guys. That’s what wins video games down the stretch, in December, in January, within the fourth quarter. 

“We’ve among the best locker rooms I’ve ever been round. You are feeling the vitality in that room each single day. We’ve the utmost religion in each other that if one unit isn’t taking part in nice, the opposite one goes to step up and make performs to assist us win video games.” 

The Bengals’ immense depth at receiver has additionally performed a job of their success towards Kansas Metropolis. Chase, taking part in for the primary time since injuring his hip in Week 7, caught seven passes for 97 yards on Sunday. Amongst his large performs was his third-down conversion on the Bengals’ closing drive. Higgins responded to Reid’s feedback by giving the Bengals an early lead on a 12-yard landing catch. He then iced the sport along with his 12-yard seize on third-and-11 that allowed the Bengals to expire the clock. 

Higgins appeared extra excited after the sport to speak concerning the stops his protection made within the fourth quarter. Together with Pratt’s compelled fumble of Kelce, Joseph Ossai’s third-down sack of Patrick Mahomes on the Chiefs’ subsequent drive got here one play earlier than Harrison Butker missed his 55-yard discipline purpose try. Ossai’s sack proved to be the Chiefs’ closing play from scrimmage. 

“Protection performed their asses off with the massive turnover, they we come down and rating,” Higgins instructed CBS Sports activities. “They they get the massive cease, and the offense seals the sport. 

“We’ve been doing this for 3 weeks now. The plan is to only hold it going, hold taking part in complementary soccer and it’ll deal with itself.” 

Like Burrow, Mahomes was requested afterward why the Bengals proceed to finish up on the profitable finish of those matchups. 

“First off, they’ve an important quarterback,” Mahomes stated. “A man who’s received quite a lot of soccer video games, even when that was in faculty, and now he’s received quite a lot of soccer video games within the NFL. He’s somebody that competes to the very finish, too. They’ve obtained playmakers throughout there, they’re well-coached, have an excellent protection. On the finish of the day, they’ve executed at the next degree within the crucial conditions.” 

Sunday’s win was an enormous one for the Bengals, who regardless of their current success proceed to put on the underdog tag (Cincinnati was a two-point underdog for Sunday’s sport). It stored the Bengals even with the Ravens within the AFC North standings (Ravens maintain tiebreaker with win over Bengals). And it might be the sport that jumpstarts Burrow’s MVP marketing campaign. 

“Completely,” Taylor stated when requested if his quarterback is taking part in at an MVP degree. “Completely. He’s taking part in on the degree we want for him to guide us to be assured that we are able to go win each sport we play. No matter these conversations are like, there’s little question as I’ve stated earlier than; I wouldn’t commerce him for anybody on this planet.” 

After his postgame presser, Burrow exited the stage and started heading towards the elevator. On the best way there, he stopped to say good day to members of Collins’ household. Upon getting into the elevator, Burrow was greeted by stadium staff who had been going about their postgame enterprise. 

“You’re a foul mom f—-r,” one of many staff stated to Burrow.

Burrow smiled, however didn’t say something in response. He didn’t should. His play on Sunday spoke loudly sufficient.