Bengals QB Joe Burrow confirms one of his greatest strengths wasn't on display in Week 1

At his best, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is masterful in the pocket. It's arguably his greatest strength outside of his pinpoint accuracy.

He looked like an amateur in the pocket this past Sunday, and it was one of the biggest reasons why the Bengals lost in Week 1 to the New England Patriots.

And he knows it.

Always the guy trying to get better every day, Burrow has made it a point of emphasis this week in practice to get his pocket management back to its standard of excellence.

"There where definitely some plays on Sunday that my process was probably rushed a little bit," Burrow said. "And that's part of what I'm trying to get better at this week."

While Burrow was accurate most of the time when throwing the ball, the throws he chose not to make Sunday limited the Bengals' offense . An average depth of target of 5.9 yards isn't going to cut it most weeks.

Those missed opportunities went by while Burrow dropped his eyes and abandoned his mechanics. It was entirely noticeable with his "happy feet" footwork, which he acknowledges.

"I thought I had some happy feet in the pocket on Sunday," Burrow said. "So slowing everything down, let my mind work and let my fundamentals take care of the rest."

Burrow has made a habit of not playing well during the first games of the season. The last three years he's had to recover from an injury leading into Week 1. This year it was his wrist injury, but Burrow shot down the idea that his wrist is preventing him making certain throws.

"No, absolutely not," Burrow asserted.

But coming back from season-ending surgery means it's been a while since he's been hit in a regular season game. Burrow was sacked twice during the first three drives of the game.

Were those sacks why pocket skittishness ensued?

"It's tough to say, I wouldn't necessarily say that," Burrow said. "Just getting back playing football again."

Overcoming rust is an annual tradition for Burrow and the Bengals. They'll have to try things differently, again, next year to avoid another 0-1 start to the season.

The good news is this isn't anything new. Burrow has rebounded with authority after rough starts before, and there's no reason why this year has to be different if his wrist is indeed a non-factor.

Related: Tee Higgins' value, run defense woes among overreactions to Bengals' Week 1 loss to Patriots