The Cincinnati Bengals’ rollercoaster 2024 season took another frustrating turn in Week 11 as they fell just short of a comeback victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Bengals showed resilience, erasing a 21-point deficit to tie the game in the third quarter, but ultimately fell 34-27 in a heartbreaking loss. While quarterback Joe Burrow’s play and the offense’s rally were commendable, it was kicker Evan McPherson who found himself in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. After missing two key field goals in the final quarter, McPherson became the target of criticism from one of the team’s biggest stars: wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Chase, who is known for his fiery competitive spirit, did not mince words in his postgame remarks. “But he knows to make those kicks,” Chase said of McPherson. “That’s why we paid him those bucks—to make those kicks in crunch time.” It was a direct rebuke of McPherson’s performance, a rare public criticism of a teammate who has long been considered a key piece of the Bengals’ special teams unit.
The Bengals had everything to play for after clawing their way back from a seemingly insurmountable 27-6 deficit. The offense found new life, with Burrow leading the charge, connecting with Chase and the other receivers for multiple touchdowns. By the time the third quarter ended, the Bengals had erased the deficit and tied the game, putting the Chargers on notice that the game was far from over. It was a moment that could have been a turning point in their season—had McPherson made the critical kicks when it mattered most.
Instead, with the Bengals still tied at 27, McPherson missed two long-range field goals that could have given Cincinnati the lead in the final moments. The first miss came from 48 yards, followed by a second attempt from 51 yards. Both kicks were crucial, as they would have put the Bengals ahead with just minutes remaining. However, McPherson’s struggles continued, and the Chargers took full advantage. Quarterback Justin Herbert, showing the poise of a seasoned veteran, led a quick scoring drive that ended with a touchdown to seal the win for the Chargers.
It wasn’t just the missed kicks that frustrated the Bengals’ locker room—it was the timing. The Bengals have invested heavily in McPherson, signing him to a three-year, $16.5 million contract extension earlier this year. The deal placed McPherson among the top-10 highest-paid kickers in the league, reflecting the team’s belief that he could consistently deliver in clutch moments. Unfortunately for the Bengals, those moments didn’t materialize in Week 11, and the missed kicks now loom large as one of the primary reasons for the team’s defeat.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
For Chase, the frustration of seeing a victory slip away due to McPherson’s misses was palpable. While the wide receiver acknowledged McPherson’s talent, he made it clear that expectations were set when the team invested so heavily in the young kicker. “We didn’t extend his contract to miss kicks like that,” Chase added pointedly. This public airing of grievances is a reflection of the tension and pressure that continues to mount on the Bengals as they try to salvage a season that started with Super Bowl aspirations.
Despite the loss, Chase’s comments were a reminder of the high stakes for both McPherson and the Bengals. Special teams, often a forgotten aspect of the game, can be the difference between victory and defeat in tight matchups. McPherson’s performance this season has been a mixed bag, but this particular game will likely be remembered as one where he couldn’t deliver when his team needed him most.
The Bengals’ struggles in 2024 have been well-documented, and this loss only adds to the mounting pressure on the team to turn things around. With Joe Burrow’s health and development in question, Cincinnati’s offense is still adjusting to key changes. The defense has had its ups and downs, but the special teams have been a more consistent point of frustration. As McPherson’s struggles continue, it’s clear that the Bengals will need him to find his rhythm quickly if they are to have any hope of salvaging their playoff chances.
McPherson, who gained national recognition during his rookie season with a series of clutch kicks, has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks. Whether it’s the weight of his new contract or simply a rough patch in his kicking form, the young kicker has not been the reliable performer the Bengals need in tight games. While McPherson’s supporters point to his impressive leg and ability to hit long-range attempts, it’s his consistency in key moments that will ultimately define his legacy in Cincinnati.
As the Bengals move forward, the kicker’s performance will be a major storyline to follow. Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations hinge not only on Burrow’s health and the development of their offense but also on McPherson regaining the form that made him one of the NFL’s most promising young kickers. For now, however, it’s clear that McPherson’s missed opportunities in Week 11 have left a bitter taste in the mouths of his teammates, especially Ja’Marr Chase, who made his feelings known in no uncertain terms.
In the world of the NFL, moments like these can shape a season. While McPherson may get another chance to redeem himself, the question remains whether he can handle the pressure in future close games. The Bengals will need their kicker to be at his best if they are to continue competing for a postseason berth. As for Ja’Marr Chase, his frustration is understandable, but it’s also a sign of the team’s heightened expectations and the sense of urgency that now surrounds the Bengals heading into the final stretch of the 2024 season.
Moving forward, Cincinnati’s focus will shift to bouncing back from this heart-wrenching loss. But in the locker room and beyond, the issue of special teams—and particularly McPherson’s consistency—will be something to watch closely in the weeks to come. Can the Bengals’ kicker regain his composure, or will the ghosts of missed field goals continue to haunt Cincinnati’s playoff hopes? Only time will tell.
