When Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow went down for the season with a wrist injury against the Baltimore Ravens on November 16, it seemed like dire straits for Cincinnati.
However, if backup quarterback Jake Browning is going to continue to play like he did in Cincinnati’s 34-31 overtime victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday Night Football, the Bengals may still have a pulse after all.
Browning, an undrafted free agent from Washington who has been with the Bengals since 2021, picked up his first career win Monday, moving the Bengals to 6-6 and putting them right back in the AFC playoff race.
Browning went 32-for-37 for 357 yards and a touchdown pass, which went to standout wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who accounted for nearly a third of Browning’s completions (11) and over a third of his passing yards (149).
Four of Cincinnati’s final five games are against teams currently ahead of them in the playoff picture (Kansas City, Pittsburgh. Indianapolis, Cleveland), so Browning and the Bengals will have plenty of opportunities to play themselves into the postseason.
Fans were abuzz on social media about Browning’s big performance.
Former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel was impressed by Browning, saying, “Jake Browning: Dude’s a baller & had the game of his life. He’s finally getting comfortable. Bengals staff figured out what he does well…it’s not always the same as the starter. One game like this buys you 3 more years in the NFL as a backup.”
Jake Browning:
▫️Dude’s a baller & had the game of his life
▫️He’s finally getting comfortable
▫️Bengals staff figured out what he does well…it’s not always the same as the starter
▫️One game like this buys you 3 more years in the NFL as a backup.— Chase Daniel (@ChaseDaniel) December 5, 2023
Rich Eisen was also impressed, saying, “We see you Jake Browning”
We see you Jake Browning.
— Rich Eisen (@richeisen) December 5, 2023
Another fan echoed Daniel’s sentiment, saying, “Jake Browning has earned another 7 years minimum as a backup QB tonight. Salute”
Jake Browning has earned another 7 years minimum as a backup QB tonight. Salute
— kyle (@knicks_tape99) December 5, 2023
Another fan took a shot at Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, saying “Jake Browning has more overtime wins (1) than Josh Allen (0)”
Jake Browning has more overtime wins (1) than Josh Allen (0)
— but doctor, i am (@BarrelJumpist) December 5, 2023
