Bengals QB Jake Browning oozes infectious confidence following first career win
Jake Browning didn't show very much emotion speaking to reporters following his very first win as an NFL starting quarterback. You could've mistaken him for veteran starter who's been in this moment countless times. "I haven't played a lot of NFL football, but it's not like I'm not used to winning," Browning said after throwing […]
Jake Browning didn't show very much emotion speaking to reporters following his very first win as an NFL starting quarterback. You could've mistaken him for veteran starter who's been in this moment countless times.
"I haven't played a lot of NFL football, but it's not like I'm not used to winning," Browning said after throwing for 354 yards in a 34-31 overtime victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. "I've won a lot of football games in my career. None in the NFL, which is noteworthy. But I've won a lot in my life."
Question Browning's ability all you'd like; I certainly have. The confidence he has, however, is undeniable.
It wasn't too long ago Browning and the Bengals were reeling in what seemed to be an inevitable fate. Three straight losses and a season-ending injury for Joe Burrow had the Bengals below .500 and falling out of the playoff race.
His defense gave him next to no help in a hostile environment in a primetime setting. He watched the offense's longest-tenured player make arguably the dumbest play of his career. His friendly game plan devised by head coach Zac Taylor had to be put on hold when the game was on the line.
Browning took it all in stride and delivered when it mattered most.
"He's QB1 material," wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase said of Browning. Who could blame him for saying such a thing after he racked up 149 yards and a touchdown on 11 receptions with Browning tossing the ball his way.
Over 300 of Browning's yards came after the first quarter alone as he started slinging the rock down the field with authority. It's what allowed a team that normally struggles to score after the opening script expires to put up 14 second quarter points.
"When he goes out there and he leads the team like he did, I certainly think it raises the entire confidence level of the team," Taylor said of his quarterback.
Maybe it's his alma mater Washington getting into the College Football Playoff as the No. 2 seed. Maybe it's the chance to finally prove himself of a greater opportunity. Maybe this is who Browning has always been.
He's got our undivided attention now.
Bengals: Zac Taylor and Jake Browning got on the same page and shocked the NFL
Lessons were learned in Cincinnati, and a near-perfect game plan came out of it.
