Joe Burrow: Bengals 'not a championship-level team right now' - ESPN

CINCINNATI — Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sat at his locker for several minutes, arms folded, one leg crossed over the other, assessing the aftermath of Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

For most of the day, the Bengals led and seemed poised to open play in the AFC North with a victory — their second straight. But on multiple occasions, Cincinnati saw that lead slip away before the Ravens eventually sealed the deal with Justin Tucker's 24-yard field goal.

As Burrow reflected on the outcome, one thing was evident: After the fourth loss in five games to start the season, Burrow said it was frustrating that a team that started the year with title aspirations is nowhere close.

«We're not a championship-level team right now,» Burrow said. «We're not. I like to think that we'll come back and improve throughout the season to get to that point, but right now we are not and we have to get better.»

It seemed like there was little more the offense could do after another productive outing. Cincinnati scored 30 points for the third straight game. Burrow threw for a career-high five touchdowns on 30-of-39 passing for five touchdowns, though he did also throw a costly interception in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was not enough. The defense allowed more than 38 points for the second straight game. After Cincinnati led 38-28 with 8:54 left in regulation, the Ravens scored 13 unanswered points.

For Chase, that amplified the disappointment felt after Sunday's loss.

«I think that's what's causing us to be mad, for the most part,» Chase said at his locker after the game. «Just putting up 30 points and losing right there.

»That's what