Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals short on answers after latest close loss - ESPN

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Standing at his locker with his arms folded, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase didn't have an answer for why the team can't finish games.

For yet another time this season, Cincinnati saw a potential win slip away in a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday night. Six of Cincinnati's seven losses have been one-possession defeats. While Chase was lacking for solutions, he did have a potential starting point — ask coach Zac Taylor.

«I play football on the field,» Chase said. «I don't call plays for us, you know? So I can't really do nothing.»

The Bengals have a .143 winning percentage in one-score games. According to ESPN Research, that matches the Jacksonville Jaguars for the worst mark in the league in such contests.

Cincinnati (4-7) was on the brink of getting blown out after the Chargers (7-3) had a blazing start. Los Angeles led 27-6 with 10:29 left in the third quarter.

That's when the Bengals mounted a rally. Cincinnati scored touchdowns on three straight drives to tie the game. Two of them were on fourth-down throws by quarterback Joe Burrow.

But two missed field goals by kicker Evan McPherson paved the way for Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins' winning touchdown run with 18 seconds remaining. Had the Bengals won, it would have matched the biggest comeback in franchise history.

Chase, who came into the game leading the NFL in receiving yards, had seven catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

But those stats seemed hollow in what is becoming a familiar scenario. Chase is averaging 114.4 receiving yards per game and has 10 total touchdowns in Bengals losses this season.

«It don't really matter how good I perform at the end of the day,» Chase said. «Putting up all them