Bengals' nightmare before Christmas proves a greater point
It was over after the first few minutes, but the beatings continued regardless of morale improving. The Cincinnati Bengals fell 34-11 to the Pittsburgh Steelers with their playoff hopes on the line. It was the first time the Bengals played a football game without either Joe Burrow or Ja'Marr Chase. Needless to say, they don't […]
It was over after the first few minutes, but the beatings continued regardless of morale improving.
The Cincinnati Bengals fell 34-11 to the Pittsburgh Steelers with their playoff hopes on the line. It was the first time the Bengals played a football game without either Joe Burrow or Ja'Marr Chase. Needless to say, they don't want to play many more without both of them.
It also served as a reminder to the obvious that's gotten lost in the noise: Joe Burrow matters. A lot.
The Jake Browning experience was enjoyable while it lasted. From Weeks 13-15, the Bengals' backup quarterback took the league by storm with overtime wins over two playoff-contending teams and a dominant showing over another. He became the first quarterback in NFL history with over 1,000 yards and a completion rate of 75% in his first four starts.
He was Cincinnati's Cinderella when they needed him to be nothing less. He turned into a pumpkin in Pittsburgh.
Much like his debut start against the Steelers a month ago, Browning was late to pull the trigger too many times, and made too many mistakes out the gate. He threw two interceptions in the first half that made an early deficit much greater. Big plays allowed by the defense combined with Browning's miscues turned into a 24-0 hole at halftime for the Bengals.
An early 80-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins provided a glimpse of hope, but the damage had already been done. Browning tanked the Bengals' playoff chances just as much as the defense that allowed nearly 400 yards of offense and 34 points.
Browning's short-lived success did more than just raise awareness of his own ability, it put Burrow's ability under the microscope. Did he really matter to the Bengals as much as the highest-paid quarterback in history should? Was it just the system, supporting case, and coaching staff that propped him up?
After Saturday's shellacking, that shouldn't even be a question anymore.
The Bengals have two weeks left to squeak into the postseason, and all Burrow can do is watch from the sidelines. Browning looks to be the latest backup quarterback to temporarily endear us before falling back to Earth.
Like any other team, the Bengals go as far as their quarterback goes. Their real one didn't play in Pittsburgh.
Bengals: Joe Burrow’s injury recovery gets an initial estimate
Burrow suffered a wrist injury in November.
