THE STORY: CINCINNATI – Trey McBride leaped for the ball, a Jacoby Brissett fourth-down pass that had been tipped at the line and popped high in the air.
The tight end grabbed it for an impressive four-yard gain. The problem was it had come on fourth-and-7.
The play was a microcosm of another frustrating afternoon for the Cardinals, who despite beautiful temperatures at Paycor Stadium couldn't get much working in what turned out to be a 37-14 loss to the Bengals Sunday in their next-to-last game of the season.
"When you're on a team like this, you're playing to be an NFL football player," defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. "Teams want winners. You've got to sign your work and show you belong in the NFL. Young guys are learning how to play football, and that's good for them, but overall, it's got to mean something to you.
"The message is simple."
McBride ended up being the silver lining of a game once again. He had 10 receptions for 76 yards. His last catch was a touchdown, his 119th reception of the season. That total set the NFL record for tight ends in a season, snapping Zach Ertz's mark of 117 set when Ertz played for the Eagles in 2017. McBride's catches also is a franchise record for receptions in a season, toppling the 115 of wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins in 2020.
But that wasn't nearly enough for the Cardinals (3-13) to snap what is now an eight-game losing streak against the Bengals (6-10).
"It's really cool, and thankful for my teammates and coaches," a quiet McBride said. "It's cool to get it in 16 games too – I didn't want anyone to give me a hard time about that.
"But honestly, it doesn't really matter. I would've loved to have won the game, loved to have played better as an offense. Just wasn't there today."
Coach Jonathan Gannon said third downs were the biggest culprit; the Bengals were 10 of 15 (and 9 of 12 at one point) and the Cardinals 3 of 13. The Bengals had scoring drives of Bengals of 12, 12, 10, 11 plays; the Cardinals' first seven possessions only exceeded three plays twice, and both were five plays long (albeit a Michael Wilson touchdown catch finishing one of those.)
Quarterback Jacoby Brissett didn't surpass 100 yards passing until a 23-yard fourth-down completion to Xavier Weaver in the first minute of the fourth quarter, although a late flurry got him to 212 yards passing total.
"You've got to earn the right to stay on the field," Brissett said.
"It's not rocket science. We just have to get out of our own way."
The Cardinals were only able to gain 42 yards rushing, while Bengals QB Joe Burrow threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns before essentially taking the fourth quarter off. Bengals running back Chase Brown had 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Gannon again emphasized he believed the effort was there from his team.
"I feel good about the guys going out there," Gannon said. "We've got to coach better so they play better."
When it came to the end of the game, the eyes were on McBride. That was all that was left to determine, and he grabbed everything that came his way. Gannon acknowledged he was down about the loss but added he was proud of McBride and his records.
"I don't want to overlook that," Gannon said.
McBride didn't want to either. But in the losing locker room minutes after a game, statistical marks always feel hollow.
"I wish I was more excited about it right now," McBride said. "Maybe after the season, looking back, it'll be something I'll cherish. But right now, I'm frustrated."
TURNING POINT: After Wilson scored, the Cardinals got a sack from Calais Campbell to force a punt with the score only 13-7. But the Cardinals went three-and-out, and even after the Bengals were pinned on their own 2 after the kick, they drove for a 57-yard field goal to quickly take back control of the game midway through the second quarter.
THE STANDOUTS: McBride, of course. Michael Wilson had an excellent 38-yard toe-tapping catch-and-run touchdown and finished with five catches for 89 yards. Punter Matt Haack averaged 54.3 yards a kick. Linebacker Cody Simon got his first NFL sack.
INJURY UPDATE: Safety Kitan Crawford left the game in the second quarter with an ankle injury. Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr., who was targeted only once, eventually left the game because of his problem heel.
