As the Jaguars win overtime, Jake Browning dazzles NFL fans by taking Joe Burrow’s injured spot.
After star quarterback Joe Burrow sustained a wrist injury that ended his season, things were hopeless for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Jake Browning’s inspirational performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars lifted the team’s morale.
On Monday Night Football, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Browning gave his best Burrow impression, managing the offense with skill and efficiency and leading Cincinnati to an overtime victory of 34-31. In addition to rushing for a touchdown, he completed 32 of 37 passes for 354 yards and a touchdown. Trevor Lawrence, the quarterback for the Jaguars, who had to leave the game in the fourth quarter because of an ankle sprain, was squared up against him.
Star receiver Ja’Marr Chase of the Bengals, who was targeted 12 times and caught 11 catches for 149 yards and a touchdown, showed good chemistry with Browning. Playing from behind, he had no fear as he led Cincinnati to a late comeback, scoring 10 points in a row in the fourth quarter, before Jacksonville forced overtime. He made some crucial passes in the extra session to set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning 48-yard kick goal.
Though the Bengals offense was far from flawless, head coach Zac Taylor’s attempts to look clever by using a few trick plays that took the ball away from Browning were the team’s worst plays. Early in the drive, Chase made a poor pass that cost him seven yards. When Jacksonville’s defensive end Josh Allen caught one of Tyler Boyd’s interceptions, which resulted in a touchdown for the team, Boyd’s fellow receiver committed an even greater error.
However, Browning stole the show. Social media users were impressed by what they seen from him during Monday night’s victory:
Browning’s path to the NFL was among the more difficult ones. He inked a contract with the Minnesota Vikings and became a member of the practice squad in 2019 after being left undrafted. Before the 2021 season, he was waived and signed with the practice squad of the Bengals. He defeated seasoned quarterback Trevor Siemian in the 2023 preseason to take the backup quarterback spot.
Browning should be able to maintain this momentum after picking up his first NFL victory as a starter as Cincinnati attempts to stay up in the race for the postseason. After his showing on Monday night, the team ought to have greater faith in him.
On Sunday, Browning and the Bengals (6-6) will play the Indianapolis Colts (7-5) at home.
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