Another season, another playoff loss in the first game.
Unfortunately for Bengals fans, this is becoming a trend they’ve become accustom to. Year after year, this team possess the talent that a Super Bowl team desires.
However, Cincinnati just continues to fall short.
Who’s to blame?
For as unfair as it may be, the finger will be pointed to head coach Marvin Lewis.
It seems like after every year Cincy comes up short, there’s speculation of his job security moving forward, but it doesn’t appear to be an issue this time around.
Issue of Marvin Lewis' future really isn't much of an issue. Bengals have no plans to make any HC change at this time, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2016
Lewis is now the first coach in NFL history to be 0-7, which displays a mixture of bad luck and just the inept ability of winning when it matters.
Despite being down 15-0 to Pittsburgh, the Bengals showed great fight by storming all the way back to take a 16-15 lead with less than two minutes to go.
Nonetheless, the ‘Bungles’ showed up during Pittsburgh’s final drive. Silly penalties coupled with just overall undiscipline play did them in.
Throughout Lewis’ tenure in Cincy, he’s developed a reputation of obtaining troubled players into this system.
From a talent standpoint, the moves look good, but when things get tough, you’d prefer more level headed players who are capable of avoiding the bone headed mistakes, which has been Cincy’s nemesis over the years.
Is it just simply time for the front office and Lewis to part ways?
Firing Lewis is a lot easier said than done, considering the man has taken the Bengals to the playoffs five straight seasons. Sure, he hasn’t won in the postseason, but it’s so hard just to make the playoffs, let alone five straight seasons.
Lewis deserves another year.