Cincinnati — Coach Zac Taylor stated the Bengals were designed to win even without their franchise quarterback after Joe Burrow’s wrist injury ended his season in November.
Yes and no, then.
The week before Christmas, backup Jake Browning helped Cincinnati get back into the thick of the postseason race by winning three of his first four starts, exceeding expectations in the process.
However, after throwing three interceptions against Pittsburgh, the Steelers, led by Mason Rudolph, their third-string quarterback, crushed Cincinnati 34–11.
Through victory over Kansas City, the Bengals were able to reclaim their spot in the AFC playoff chase among the pandemonium. The Chiefs won 25-17 thanks to six field goals.
Former practice squad quarterback Browning shown he could be a successful NFL quarterback, but the Bengals lacked the imaginative Burrow to keep his team out of bad circumstances, and too many other problems prevented them from winning consistently.
Running the ball was difficult for the Bengals. Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase, two receivers, persevered despite injuries. The defence found it difficult to halt the run. Young defensive backs’ poor communication skills caused receivers to run wide open.
After the Browns rested most of their players for the postseason, Cincinnati (9-8) defeated Cleveland in the season finale, improving to 1-5 against AFC North opponents. For the first time in three years, the Bengals did not make it to the postseason. They made it to the AFC title game and the Super Bowl in the previous two seasons.
Their morality is unquestionable. I’m so proud of them for sticking together after everything they went through and what they offered us this year,” Taylor remarked. “You never witnessed anyone wag their fingers.”
