The Cincinnati Bengals have found themselves in a perplexing situation this season. Their inability to close out games has led to a string of one-score losses that have left fans and the coaching staff alike scratching their heads. In the visitors locker room at SoFi Stadium, Ja’Marr Chase's answer to a simple question about finishing took everyone by surprise. The word "finish" became the most uttered phrase in the wake of the Chargers' 34-27 victory, and the question remains: how do they finish better?

Chase's Perspective and the Coaching Staff

When asked how he can improve his finishing, Chase responded with a shrug. "I don't know. Ask Zac (Taylor). Ask the coaches. It's not my job to call plays. I just play football on the field." This comment sparked a wave of speculation and raised questions about the relationship between the player and the coaching staff. Taylor, in turn, acknowledged the need to find ways to put the team in the best positions to win. "We've got a good process, but we just haven't been able to close out these games. I've got to uncover every stone and make sure our process is perfect."

The Bengals' struggle to finish isn't a new phenomenon. Over the past three seasons, they ranked 14th in one-score games and were 4-2 in the postseason. However, this year has been a different story. With a 1-6 record in one-score games and a last-second touchdown by Cleveland barely counting as a win, the luck seems to have deserted them. The.143 winning percentage in such games this season ranks tied for the 12th-worst in the last two decades, tied with Taylor's first season coaching the club in 2019.

So, how much of this losing is due to year-over-year trends and how much is just the randomness of football? Chase posed this question in frustration on Sunday night, and Taylor is determined to find the answer. "I think it turns to me and finding ways to improve. We've got a good process, but we need to make some adjustments to win these games."

Analysis of One-Score Game Results

An analysis of one-score game results from year to year shows that there is no clear correlation. ESPN's Bill Barnwell wrote a thesis on this years ago, and the small sample sizes regularly disprove any idea that this issue can be predicted or repeated. For example, the best and worst teams in one-score games from the previous three seasons didn't necessarily perform the same way the next year.

In the Bengals' case, they were above.500 in one-score games for three years in a row but are now struggling. In losses to the Patriots, Chiefs, Ravens, and Chargers, the offense had opportunities to win but failed each time. There were three-and-outs, missed field goals, and failed two-point conversions. Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher pointed out the battle between emotion and logic. "The temptation is to make drastic changes, but that can do more harm than good. We need to be calculated and disciplined."

The defense also plays a significant role in the Bengals' struggles. They rank in the bottom quarter of the league in nearly every category, allowing an average of 31 points in one-score losses. This weakness is debilitating, whether it's in the final minutes of a close game or on third down. "We know our deficiencies on defense," Pitcher said. "It's when our perceived strengths disappear that the frustration sets in."

Evan McPherson's Struggles

Since signing a three-year extension in August, kicker Evan McPherson's performance in close games has taken a nosedive. In one-score games alone this year, he's hit just 64.2 percent of his field goals and missed a PAT, leaving an average of 2.3 points per game on the board. In the previous three years, he hit 88.4 percent of his field goals and missed only three PATs, leaving an average of 0.84 points per game.

"It's been a tough pill to swallow," Taylor said. "We need Evan to step up and make those kicks. It's a crucial part of our game." The Bengals know that if a few plays had gone their way, the season could look very different. But now, they face the reality of their failures and the need to find solutions.

"It's disappointing for everyone," Taylor said. "But I still have confidence in our approach. We just need to win one of these games to get back on track. Sometimes it's a snowball effect, and we need to make sure the snowball goes in the right direction."