Sigh. That’s how we’ll start here. Another disappointing football season early. Wait, aren’t the Cincinnati Bengals 2-0? That answer is yes, and still, it’s disappointing because we all know now… Joe Burrow is out for what will likely be the season after suffering turf toe. Subscribe to our Newsletter using the popup or form below!
Jake Browning Back Under Center
Look, to his credit, yesterday Jake Browning won that game for them. Of course that very questionable pass interference call aided the Bengals, but they still needed to get 40 or so yards and they did, all while milking the clock. He made some good curl route throws to Ja’Marr Chase to get down the field, too. You have to give him some credit.
Bring it back 2 seasons ago, the Bengals once again lose Joe Burrow to injury, (what else is new, I mean come on,) Jake Browning steps in again and leads them to the frail of playoff hopes, only to be stopped short late in the season. He had some fun wins against teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars, and next week’s opponent, Minnesota Vikings.
Will The Bengals Go Get Another Quarterback?
That answer is undoubtedly yes, but I can promise you, they won’t go trade for Kirk Cousins or bring in someone prominent. Honestly, I don’t think it makes sense to. Jake Browning has shown he can win games, but it’s never pretty. I think it’d be organizational malpractice to bring in another QB and expect him to learn a offense super quick, although I wouldn’t put it past Kirk to be able to do it.
If Jake Browning can clean up his mental errors of wanting to sling it to midfield into double coverage or a looming linebacker, he really isn’t bad at all. He has a good arm, good leadership qualities, he seems to be able to man the huddle just fine, and the guys do seem to like him and want to do their job for him.
Kirk Cousins has a mountain of experience, and is currently in Atlanta backing up Penix Jr, which, for him, is quite embarrassing. Their offense is very different from the Bengals so I can’t imagine that they’d even be looking to offer asset for Kirk. His $ is an issue as well. Go ahead and put it to bed, folks. It’s Jake Browning szn. Get used to it.
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Schedule Ahead Is Brutal
If Browning can keep the Bengals aflloat, there’s a chance, a very small chance, that Burrow can be back in December. That chance is so, so small that we should go ahead and not even bother talking about it, but it’s there. Browning has to win a couple divisional games for this to be a chance of making playoffs. The Bengals starting 2-0 is a great feat for this to happen.
The Bengals will play, in order:
- Sunday, September 21st: Minnesota Vikings AT Minnesota
- Monday, September 29th: Denver Broncos AT Denver (Monday Night Football)
- Sunday, October 5th: Detroit Lions IN Cincinnati
- Sunday, October 12th: Greenbay Packers AT Lambeau
- Thursday, October 16th: Pittsburgh Steelers IN Cincinnati (Thursday Night Football)
- Sunday, October 26th, New York Jets IN Cincinnati
- Sunday, November 2nd, Chicago Bears IN Cincinnati
- Sunday, November 16th: Pittsburgh Steelers AT Pittsburgh
- Sunday, November 23rd: New England Patriots IN Cincinnati
- Thursday, November 27th: Baltimore Ravens AT Baltimore (Thursday Night Football, Thanksgiving game)
- Sunday, December 7th: Buffalo Bills AT Buffalo
- Sunday, December 14th: Baltimore Ravens IN Cincinnati
There’s a chance Joe Burrow could be back after the Ravens game in Cincinnati. The Bengals will take on the Dolphins on 12/21/25 in Miami for that game. Once again, the chances are razor thin and likely won’t be occuring, but that’s the 3 month mark we’re being told he’ll be out a minimum for. The Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns are the two teams remaining after that.
Can Browning keep the Bengals afloat? That answer will have to come throughout the year. That schedule above…is brutal. He’ll have to beat PIT 2x, magically win in Lambeau, beat the Vikings this coming weekend, and hope they can beat the Jets and Bears. If he does, that puts the Bengals at 8-6 for when Burrow will come back eligible. We’ve never beat PIT 2x. Tall ask for Browning.
