‘Everybody Knows It’s On Me’ – Bengals’ Fumbles Costly in 16-10 Loss to Patriots

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals lost just two fumbles last year, which was the fewest in the NFL and a franchise record.

They won’t be breaking that mark this year.

Tight end Tanner Hudson lost the first one inches away from the goal line to thwart what would have been a game-tying touchdown with five minutes left in the first half.

And Charlie Jones lost a fumble on a punt return after Cincinnati’s defense held the New England Patriots’ offense to a three-and-out to start the second half.

Fumbles By Charlie Jones, Tanner Hudson Key Reason for Bengals Loss

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor pointed to those two turnovers as one of the main reasons for the 16-10 loss at Paycor Stadium.

“Lost the turnover battle essentially 3-0 – one on offense, one on special teams, and one on the turnover on downs – and we didn’t get anything back,” Taylor said. “No recipe in that style of game to be able to win.

“It’s very clear if you lose the turnover (battle) like that Week 1, it’s going to point to a loss.”

It was the first lost fumble of both Jones’ and Hudson’s careers.

“Everybody knows it’s on me. I know it’s on me,” Hudson said. “You try to do your best to forget about it and make a play next time you get the chance.

“It’s a tough one, especially in the red zone. You don’t get those opportunities every day,” he said. “It’s something you’ve got to deal with and move on.”

Jones said his last fumble was in 2020 while he was playing at Iowa.

He was far less interested than Hudson in discussing the details of his fumble against the Patriots.

“I’ve just got to hang on to the ball,” he said. “It’s behind me.”

Jones’ fumble gave New England the ball at the Cincinnati 24-yard line, and the Patriots cashed in with a Joey Slye field goal that upped their lead to 13-0.

Hudson’s fumble came on play after the Bengals thought they had tied the game on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow to Mike Gesicki in the end zone.

The officials signaled touchdown, the special teams unit ran on the field, and the music played. But after replay review, the officials deemed Gesicki did not maintain control of the ball as he went to the ground.

One snap later, Burrow hit Hudson on a slant, and he appeared to have a clear path to the end zone.

“I thought I was walking in, for sure,” Hudson said.

He appeared to be raising his right arm with the ball in it when he was hit by New England safety Kyle Dugger, but he said he doesn’t remember doing it and isn’t sure why he would.

“I’ll have to see it on film. I’m not 100% sure,” he said. “I’ve just got to keep it tight.”

Not only did the fumble cost the Bengals a chance to tie the game, the Patriots converted it into a field goal on the final play of the half to go up 10-0.

Hudson said the last time he lost a fumble was his junior year of college when he tried to hurdle a defender, got upended, and dropped the ball while preparing to brace his fall so he wouldn’t land on his face.

The fact that fumbling isn’t something he’s been prone to doesn’t make today’s any less disappointing.

“It sucks either way,” he said. “It doesn’t matter. A fumble’s a fumble. You’ve just got to try to move on from it.”