Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow might need a dip in an ice bath after his team's momentous win on Saturday over the Tennessee Titans.
The second-year pro led the Bengals to their first AFC Championship Game since 1988 by defeating the Titans, 19-16, but Cincinnati's previously explosive offense was stymied for much of the game, with Burrow often facing heavy pressure on his dropbacks.
Burrow, drafted first overall out of LSU in the 2020 NFL Draft, was sacked a whopping nine times in the low-scoring affair. It was the most sacks by one team in a playoff game since the Kansas City Chiefs also racked up nine against the then-Houston Oilers in the Divisional Round in January of 1994, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Leading the sack barrage for Tennessee was defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons, who registered a game-high three sacks. Linebacker Harold Landry III and defensive end Denico Autry accounted for 1.5 each. Linebacker Bud Dupree had one sack, as well as a tackle for a loss.
Despite the onslaught, Burrow managed to complete 27-of-38 pass attempts for 348 yards. Running back Joe Mixon punched in the team's lone touchdown, while kicker Evan McPherson accounted for four field goals and an extra point.
While it was clear the Bengals' offensive line wasn't up to the task against the Titans' fierce pass rush, at least a couple of the sacks were also on Burrow. He appeared to hold onto the ball for too long, at times, even after it had long become obvious that his offensive linemen were overmatched.
The Bengals will head out on the road again next Sunday to face the winner of this Sunday's AFC Divisional Round matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
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