CINCINNATI — Although the Cincinnati Bengals are still in the running for the playoffs because to Jake Browning’s first victory last week, the quarterback is aware that it is only a one-time event.
Browning doesn’t necessarily need to match his excellent performance from the OT victory against Jacksonville when the Bengals (6-6) play the Indianapolis Colts (7-5) on Sunday. He only needs to keep the offence going, and the Bengals can win their second straight game if the rest of the team steps up to the plate.
But Browning wants to keep getting better, and Cincinnati should still have a chance to make the playoffs if he does. Three games remain on the schedule, including the Colts, who are now sitting just ahead in the muddled AFC rankings. Here are five things to be aware of with Sunday’s game:
1. A great level of confidence
After completing 86.5 percent of his throws for 354 yards, a passing score, and a rushing touchdown, Browning was named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. His ability to lead the Bengals to a significant victory in primetime on the road was a major boost to the team’s confidence.
“Everyone seemed to be saying, ‘Bro, we can pull this off,'” “We are still the Bengals,” said Joe Mixon, the running back. No one is feeling sorry for themselves, is there? And I believe that the fact that no one was hanging their heads this past week was a major observation I made. All of them said, “Let’s go, like we still in it.”
With five games remaining, Cincinnati is in 11th place in the AFC, four spots behind the cutoff for a postseason berth. However, the Browns (7-5), Colts (7-6), Steelers (7-6) and Chiefs (8-4) are all on the schedule. The Bengals must begin winning games, particularly if they are going to play in head-to-head tiebreakers.
2. Quarterback wars
Indianapolis is one of numerous NFL clubs that now uses backup quarterbacks, including Cincinnati. After sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury in Week 5, rookie Anthony Richardson—the fourth overall draft pick—was sidelined. Gardner Minshew, who has a 5-3 record and four straight victories, has taken over.
Twice in his career, Minshew has started against the Bengals; both times, he was in Jacksonville after winning the starting role when Nick Foles was injured in the 2019 season opener. In October of that year, Minshew led the Jaguars to a 27-17 victory in Cincinnati; however, despite throwing for 351 yards, he lost the second one, which took place in Cincinnati during Game 4 of the 2020 season.
The backup quarterback for the Colts has started games and thrown for 2,284 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. His primary targets have been Josh Downs (580 yards receiving) and Michael Pittman Jr. (889 yards receiving), and Ryan Kelly, a Lakota West High School alum, is a rock on the offensive line guarding him. However, the Colts will be missing right tackle Braden Smith (knee).
Tyler Boyd’s ankle injury this week may sideline one of Cincinnati’s best weapons, but the Colts secondary is also hurting, with cornerbacks JuJu Brents (quad) and Ameer Speed (hip) doubtful. E.J. Speed, a linebacker, is also doubtful due to a knee injury.
3. Chase appears “troubled.”
Following the game on Monday, Ja’Marr Chase told reporters in Jacksonville that he was feeling a little “evil,” which is what caused him to have a 149-yard day with 11 catches on 12 targets and a 76-yard score. When asked on Thursday if his attitude could be best described as “ornery,” Chase wasn’t sure, but he was eager to end the season with a bang.
The third-year wide receiver is eclipsing T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s team single-season reception record, which was established with 112 catches in 2007. The wide receiver has reached 1,000 yards for the third straight season. Even though he won’t succeed on Sunday, he can improve his chances by winning the previous four games. With 86 catches so far, Chase is well on his way to his goal of 117. He would end with 122 receptions at his current rate of 7.2 catches per game.
Chase answered, “I get it.” “Don’t even consider it a concern. We’re doing fine. All I desire is to be far away from what (Houshmandzadeh) possessed. I wish to make it more difficult for someone else.
4. Ceasing the sprint
This season, the Bengals have had trouble stopping the run. Now that D.J. Reader’s back problem flared again on Friday and prevented him from practicing, there’s even more reason for concern. The Colts have a rush game that has yielded at least 100 yards in seven games, and he has been the best run stopper on the defensive line.
Cincinnati is seventh in the league in terms of rushing yards allowed per game, at 133.9.
Indianapolis will have to make their own modifications since Jonathan Taylor is sidelined due to a thumb injury. Since he and Zack Moss have split the load, with Moss having 100 carries or more this season, Moss will now bear the majority of the load. With 723 yards and five touchdowns on 160 carries, he leads the club in rushing, while Taylor brings in 414 yards and four scores on 100 carries.
5. Hi there, Chase Brown
Despite only receiving a season-high 11 snaps, rookie Chase Brown was a major factor in the Bengals’ running game finding a rhythm last week. A week after returning from injured reserve, he made the most of them, rushing nine times for 61 yards (6.78 yards per carry) while not participating in any offensive snaps.
When he finally played in Week 12, many wondered why he didn’t receive any carries, especially since Mixon was the only one rushing the ball and Cincinnati’s running game was struggling. In a 16-10 loss to Pittsburgh, the Bengals only gained 25 yards on 11 carries during that game. The Bengals simply didn’t get to those plays, according to offensive coordinator Brian Callahan, but they needed to see what he could offer none the less. He might now be entitled to greater chances.
“We have faith in him,” head coach Taylor stated. “His chances were approaching. As a rookie entering the first half of the season and earning a spot on special teams, he was beginning to get more opportunities until he sustained an injury. He took advantage of his opportunity because we, the team, had faith in him to be involved. .. I believe there is value in allowing a different back to get some carries and changing up the defense’s alignment.
