Bengals Face Scrutiny Over Snowy Seats, Shutout Loss to Ravens Adds to Frustration
Sunday wasn’t just cold in Cincinnati-it was downright miserable for Bengals fans at Paycor Stadium. Not only did the team fall flat in a 24-0 shutout loss to the Baltimore Ravens, but the conditions in the stands left plenty to be desired. Snow blanketed the seats, and many fans were left to tough it out in the cold without any visible effort from the team to clear the way.
That’s raised some eyebrows, especially considering the NFL’s clear policies on snow removal for game-day conditions. According to league rules, home teams are expected to have a snow removal plan in place and ensure that stadium seating, aisles, ramps, walkways, and other fan-access areas are clear before kickoff. The goal is simple: provide a safe, comfortable environment for fans, players, and staff alike.
So when the Bengals didn’t appear to follow through on those expectations, it didn’t go unnoticed. Fans voiced their frustrations, and the optics weren’t great-especially coming off a week where franchise quarterback Joe Burrow gave a somber press conference about his season-ending injury. The energy in Cincinnati is already fragile, and Sunday’s performance, both on and off the field, didn’t help.
However, the NFL says there’s no rule violation here. League Vice President of Communications Brian McCarthy stated that the Bengals did, in fact, remove snow in the 48 hours leading up to the game.
The snow that covered the seats, he explained, was the result of overnight accumulation that hit after the initial clearing. McCarthy also noted that stadium employees were on hand to assist fans as needed.
Still, that explanation hasn’t exactly cooled things down among the fanbase. Some pointed to the financials-suggesting that, with the Bengals reportedly pulling in over $5 million per home game, the cost of clearing seats (estimated between $48,000 and $150,000) shouldn’t be a barrier.
It’s a fair point. When fans are paying premium prices to support their team, they expect more than just a warm pretzel and a souvenir cup.
They expect the basics-like a dry seat and a team that shows up.
Unfortunately, the Bengals didn’t deliver on either front Sunday.
The shutout loss to Baltimore was as bleak as it sounds. The offense couldn’t get anything going, and the defense-already one of the worst in the league statistically-continued to struggle. It was a far cry from the team that made a run to Super Bowl 56 not long ago and returned to the AFC Championship Game the following year.
Since then, things have spiraled. Injuries to Burrow have played a role, no doubt.
But it’s not just about one player. The offensive line remains a glaring weakness, the defense can’t get stops, and the overall roster construction has come under fire.
Questions are beginning to swirl around the coaching staff and front office. Is it time for a reset?
Is Duke Tobin’s vision for this team still the right one?
There’s no easy answer, but what’s clear is this: the Bengals are in a rough spot. And when the product on the field is this disappointing, even the little things-like snow-covered seats-become a bigger deal. Fans are cold, literally and figuratively, and they’re waiting for this franchise to warm things back up.
For now, though, the chill in Cincinnati lingers.