Bengals' Survival Without Joe Burrow: Schedule Analysis Over Final 15 Weeks
The Cincinnati Bengals face an uncertain road to the Super Bowl following the injury to star quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be sidelined for at least three months due to a toe injury. The Bengals' season will now hinge on the shoulders of backup quarterback Jake Browning, who is set to take over in Burrow's absence.
Browning, who has previous experience starting in place of Burrow, going 4-3 in seven starts in 2023, will play eight of the Bengals' final 15 games. The team's offense will go into games against struggling defenses with some confidence, but their success will largely depend on Browning's performance.
The Bengals' first challenge with Browning at the helm comes against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 21. If Burrow is out for the entire three-month period, he would be back on the field for this game. The Bengals could potentially turn their season around in Week 7 with a home game against the Steelers, who have a struggling defense.
However, the Bengals' defense has struggled to slow down opposing passing attacks so far this season. They will face the Vikings in Week 3 with Carson Wentz starting for Minnesota due to an injured J.J. McCarthy, and the Packers in Week 6, who are currently considered one of the best teams in the NFL.
The Bengals will face eight of their final 15 games against teams surrendering 29 points per game or more. This includes potential matchups against the Broncos, Lions, Packers (x2), Steelers, Ravens (x2), Bills, and Ravens. A win in any of these games could give the Bengals a chance to steal a playoff berth.
The Bengals have a potential advantage in their indoor matchup against the Cardinals, who have to fly across the country to play an outdoor game in December. The Cardinals are 0-3 when playing in a game where the kickoff temperature is 40 degrees or lower since the start of the 2022 season.
While the Bengals might not make it to the playoffs with Browning, they can certainly keep them in contention while Burrow is out. To provide additional depth at the quarterback position, the Bengals are contacting free agents such as Logan Woodside and Desmond Ridder, both of whom were part of the Bengals in preseason. Other potential free agent options include C.J. Beathard, Mike White, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Tommy DeVito, and Taylor Heinicke, all with NFL starting experience.
Despite the challenges ahead, the Bengals can take solace in their recent success against divisional rivals. They have won four straight against the Browns and will play them in the regular season finale with a shot at a winning record and a possible playoff berth if they win. The Bengals will need to dig deep and find a way to overcome their current difficulties if they are to make a run at the playoffs in the remaining games of the season.
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