Joe Burrow aims to propel the Cincinnati Bengals to their sixth straight victory on Sunday when they visit Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The game itself between the Bengals (9-4) and Buccaneers (6-7) — and not the first overall meeting between the high-profile quarterbacks — was the focus for Burrow on Wednesday.
“It is what it is,” Burrow said. “I don’t really pay attention to it. He’s Tom, and I’m Joe.”
Burrow also said Sunday’s contest is merely another game on the schedule.
“Our 14th game of the season,” Burrow said about why it’s just another game. “Obviously, the greatest quarterback ever is on the other side, but we got a job to do, too, and our job is to go and win. Get to 10-4 and move on.”
As it stands, Cincinnati remains tied with Baltimore atop the AFC North following last Sunday’s 23-10 victory over the Cleveland Browns.
Ja’Marr Chase reeled in 10 catches for 119 yards and a touchdown last week. Trenton Irwin also had a touchdown reception for the Bengals, who saw fellow wideouts Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (finger) return from early exits versus the Browns to put forth limited participation in practice on Wednesday.
Cincinnati boasts the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense (371.7 total yards per game) and seventh-ranked scoring offense (25.8 points per game). Tampa Bay, in turn, has averaged just 17.2 points per game, which ranks fifth worst in the league.
The Bengals also have seen progress from their ground game, notably Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine. Cincinnati averaged a robust 5.2 yards per rush and totaled 136 yards against Cleveland, marking its third straight game of rushing for more than 100 yards.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Wednesday that tight end Hayden Hurst (calf) is unlikely to play versus Tampa Bay. Hurst joined defensive end Trey Hendrickson (wrist), cornerbacks Mike Hilton (knee) and Jalen Davis (thumb), tackle La’el Collins (rest) and defensive tackle D.J. Reader (rest) in failing to participate in practice on Wednesday.
Unlike Cincinnati, Tampa Bay is enjoying sole possession of first place in its division — however, its one-game lead over Carolina and Atlanta is tenuous at best. The Buccaneers have lost two of their last three games, including a lopsided 35-7 setback against the San Francisco 49ers last Sunday.
“Losing in general is tough, man,” defensive lineman Akiem Hicks said. “Whether we’re playing checkers, Monopoly or a game on Sunday, it’s not a good feeling and you’ve got to do everything you can to not feel it again.”
Brady, 45, likely didn’t feel too well after last Sunday’s game. He was intercepted on consecutive possessions in the third quarter and found the end zone just once after tossing two touchdown passes in each of his previous three games.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles, however, dismissed the notion that Brady is showing signs of decline.
“No, he’s exactly the same,” Bowles said on Wednesday. “It takes 11 guys on offense, 11 guys on defense to win a ballgame. When things go wrong, it’s not because of Tom’s age, it’s because we didn’t execute.”
Brady leads the NFL in completions (381) and ranks fourth in pass yards (3,585) this season. He also has seven games of 30-plus completions.
Chris Godwin has been a frequent target. He has recorded at least five catches in 10 straight games and at least six receptions in 11 consecutive home contests.
Bowles said Wednesday defensive tackle Vita Vea (calf) and offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (ankle) likely will sit out Sunday’s game. Vea and Wirfs joined linebacker Carl Nassib (pectoral), wide receiver Julio Jones (knee) and cornerback Jamel Dean (toe) in failing to participate in practice on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media