Bengals rookie Joe Burrow frustrated despite promising display: Losing is unacceptable to me

Peter Hanson

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Bengals rookie Joe Burrow frustrated despite promising display: Losing is unacceptable to me image

Joe Burrow declared "losing is unacceptable to me" as the Cincinnati Bengals went 0-2 despite another promising showing from the rookie quarterback against the Cleveland Browns.

A week on from making his NFL debut in a losing effort to the Los Angeles Chargers, the number one overall draft pick was unable to prevent the Bengals going down 35-30 at FirstEnergy Stadium on his first outing in a prime-time slot.

Burrow, according to NFL.com, became the first rookie since at least 1950 to throw 60-plus times without recording an interception, while he broke 310 yards for passing.

He also converted eight of 18 third-down attempts, while he was five on five on fourth down and displayed his never-say-die attitude by finding Tyler Boyd for a touchdown pass within the final two minutes with the Bengals looking well out of it.

Still, Burrow said it is back to the drawing board after starting his NFL career with two defeats.

"Losing isn't very fun. This might be the only time in my sporting career that I've lost two games in a row," he said. 

"It doesn't feel very good. I know guys in there are hurting and we're gonna come back to work tomorrow and try and get this thing right. 

"Losing is unacceptable to me, to everybody in there, to coach [Zac] Taylor, to everybody in this organisation. So, we're just gonna have to get it fixed.

"I have great people around me. The offensive line did a hell of a job for me. My guys are making plays for me. That's all you can ask for as a quarterback. We've been in scoring range, and that's been one positive. 

"Again, we're 0-2. That's all that matters. I'll never accept losing. That's just something that is not in my mindset."

Opposite number Baker Mayfield knows all about dealing with hype in the NFL and sees lots of potential in Burrow.

"The hype is real with Joe," the Browns QB said. "Obviously, that team loves him. They follow him and he leads them."

Mayfield was 16-of-23 passing for 219 yards, with one interception, while he found eight different receivers throughout.

"You always want to get the ball in playmakers' hands early, so those guys are in it," Mayfield said. 

"I thought we made the most of our playmakers' abilities. I'm surrounded by talent. I want to get the ball in their hands."

Peter Hanson