Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: December 12, 2023, 03:30 IST
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With a 3414 thumping of the Colts on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals climbed above the .500 mark for the primary time in a month.
CINCINNATI: With a 34-14 thumping of the Colts on Sunday, the Cincinnati Bengals climbed above the .500 mark for the primary time in a month.
That didn’t appear seemingly after Bengals franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was misplaced to a wrist damage and backup Jake Browning was pushed into service.
The 27-year-old Browning was a celebrity in highschool in California and threw for 12,296 yards and 94 touchdowns on the University of Washington however hadn’t gotten a lot traction within the NFL.
Browning is making the most of the chance. He’s been excellent in his previous two begins and has the Bengals hoping to achieve the playoffs once more in a crowded AFC race that has them amongst six groups sitting at 7-6.
Browning threw two landing passes and rushed for one more rating in Sunday’s win over the Colts.
In the earlier sport, he handed for 354 yards and a landing in a win at Jacksonville.
He distributed the ball to eight completely different receivers Sunday because the Bengals tied their season excessive for factors.
“Jake is leading the offense and running the show,” mentioned Tee Higgins, who had crucial receptions of 46 and 26 yards Sunday. “We’ve got to keep playing to his strengths and keep doing what we do.”
Coach Zac Taylor mentioned Browning, who was on the Bengals follow squad for the previous two seasons, was a well-prepared veteran by the point he was known as on to exchange Burrow.
“(The backup) just needs to step up, be prepared and play as best as he can without our starter out there. Jake has done that,” Taylor mentioned.
“The guys believe in him, but it’s not about one guy. It’s the unit coming together, and the defense and special teams up supplementing that. I think the team effort has been outstanding the last two weeks.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Cincinnati’s offense was balanced towards the Colts. Running backs Joe Mixon and Chase Brown mixed for 104 dashing yards and 126 receiving. The offensive line had certainly one of its greatest video games, permitting zero sacks. The protection held the Colts to 46 dashing yards and sacked Gardner Minshew 3 times.
“It all seems to be flowing well,” Browning mentioned.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The Bengals transformed simply 3 of 11 third down makes an attempt. … Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr. typically received between Bengals defensive backs, getting eight catches for a team-leading 95 yards.
STOCK UP
Brown has made probably the most of his taking part in time after coping with a hamstring damage earlier this season. He had the most important play of the sport towards the Colts, gathering in a brief cross and racing 54 yards down the correct sideline for Cincinnati’s first rating. According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Brown hit a prime velocity of twenty-two.05 mph on the landing. That’s the quickest by a Bengals ball service since NFL Next Gen began monitoring in 2016.
STOCK DOWN
TE Irv Smith Jr. hasn’t had a cross reception prior to now two video games. He was signed as a free agent to be a cross catcher, however Drew Sample and Tanner Hudson are getting used extra in that function.
INJURIES
CB Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) was placed on injured reserve on Dec. 4. The second-year participant has been one of many Bengals greatest defensive backs. He may presumably return earlier than the top of the season.
KEY NUMBER
0 — Points allowed within the second half by the Bengals towards the Colts.
NEXT STEPS
Continue to play properly round Browning for a troublesome closing stretch that features the Vikings (7-6) on Saturday, adopted by the Steelers (7-6), at AFC West-leading Kansas City (8-5) and Cleveland (8-5).
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AP NFL protection: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
