It didn’t take long for the Cincinnati Bengals to find themselves in a backs-against-the-wall type of scenario.
Yes, Cincinnati achieved the hot start to September that coaches in the organization have been raked over the coals for after years of early-season struggles. But the loss of quarterback Joe Burrow, the franchise’s marquee player, has irrevocably changed the 2025 season for the organization.
Cincinnati backup quarterback Jake Browning hadn’t played a meaningful snap since the 2023 season, but he still led the Bengals to a comeback win Sept. 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even when factoring for past successes filling in for Burrow, Browning being thought of as one of the game’s premier backups didn’t stop pundits from writing the Bengals off after two weeks and with a 2-0 record.
Many are convinced the season is done in Burrow’s absence. The Bengals obviously feel differently and can change the narrative being hurled at them when they travel to play the Minnesota Vikings Sept. 21 at U.S. Bank Stadium (1 p.m. ET/noon CT).
It’s going to be a loud, inhospitable day for the Bengals as they try to steady themselves absent several key players. Here’s what needs to happen if Cincinnati is going to use the Vikings game to begin to dismiss the idea that 2025 is a lost season without Burrow.
The Bengals defense needs to meet the challenge of the moment
The Bengals defense, which defensive coordinator Al Golden conceded has plenty of room for improvement, is depleted. Getting to 3-0 means Cincinnati will have to overcome some significant personnel deficits on that side of the ball. Rookie edge Shemar Stewart is out for the game (ankle) and cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt (hamstring) is doubtful. D.J. Turner was limited in practice Sept. 18 but returned to the Bengals’ practice bubble Sept. 19.
Cincinnati was already laboring to disrupt opposition quarterbacks. Not coincidentally, those quarterbacks have also enjoyed picking apart a healthy Bengals secondary. How’s that going to look inside one of the noisiest arenas in football when Cincinnati is leaning on its second-line players to come up with big stops against the likes of all-world receiver Justin Jefferson?
Carson Wentz, no longer the MVP-caliber, mobile quarterback he once was almost a decade ago, might be something of an equalizer for Cincinnati’s defense. Wentz will start for Minnesota in favor of the injured J.J. McCarthy.
Still, Wentz can put the ball in Jefferson’s general area and Jefferson can go get it, so Wentz doesn’t have to play perfect.
Success for the Bengals on Sunday means players like Trey Hendrickson, B.J. Hill, Dax Hill, Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and many others are stepping up with big, impact plays. To Cincinnati’s credit, defensive players have made enough big plays to help get them team to 2-0. The Bengals are top-10 in turnover margin (plus-one) with four interceptions and two turnovers on downs.
Let’s allow Jake Browning time to get his feet under him
Considering Burrow went down and the Bengals have turned to their backup signal-caller, there’s some decent excitement around what Cincinnati can be this year because of who their backup is. Browning notably went 4-3 in seven starts in 2023 when Burrow was lost for the year due to a wrist injury. And of course, he pulled out the Sept. 14 comeback win after the Bengals had to chase the Jacksonville Jaguars all day at Paycor Stadium. He finished 21-for-32 with three touchdowns, two passing, and one rushing for 241 yards.
Browning could achieve great things this season. It seems like a tall order to ask him to step into Burrow’s role and immediately expect him to run a Burrow-style offense.
Offensively, the Bengals have some things in their favor: The Vikings’ defense doesn’t entirely look like a world-beater after allowed 23 points to the Chicago Bears in Week 1 and then dropped their Week 2 game at home to Atlanta, 22-6. That’s one thing.
The other thing is that while Browning is very familiar with Cincinnati’s offense, he still showed signs of rust and lacking reps against Jacksonville. So, if Cincinnati has to water some things down for Browning initially, that’s not the end of the world in Week 3. Remember: Burrow is down for months, and at least into December. Browning can grow into this situation.
Like Wentz, Browning has the luxury of incredible talent around him. Would it be an affront to the sensibilities of the Bengals fan base if Cincinnati leaned more heavily on players like running back Chase Brown and the elite receivers with check downs and throws to the flat? Or more reliance on the running game? That would be opposed to asking Browning to do Burrow-like things with the ball in his hands.
Browning didn’t take a meaningful snap in 2024 as Burrow was healthy for the full season. He logged just over half a game’s worth of snaps on Sept. 14. Browning is good enough to keep this team competitive in 2025 but early expectations should be tempered. With that, head coach Zac Taylor can devise an offense that suits Browning. That’s very likely to happen, and Browning acknowledged his voice in meetings carries more weight when he met with media members Sept. 17.
A day for special teams to stand out?
The offense is being somewhat remade with Browning under center, and the defense could be without several key players.
You know who is not hurting, though? The special teamers. In fact, they’re flying at the moment.
Evan McPherson hasn’t been asked to attempt any kicks of record length yet, but he’s 2-for-2 on field goals and netted all six of his point-after attempts so far. It’s been a great bounce-back effort from him the first couple of weeks in 2025 after his 2024 season was marred by injury and inconsistency.
In Weeks 1 and 2, punter Ryan Rehkow averaged 55.3 and 52.7 yards per punt against the Cleveland Browns and Jaguars, respectively. He had punts of 60-plus yards in both games, too.
These two players could quietly, sneakily tip the game in Cincinnati’s favor this weekend. Certainly, the Bengals might be in a position to ask a lot of the entire special teams unit. So far, operations have been crisp or productive. Another day of solid special teams play could tip the scale in the Bengals’ favor.
Prediction: Bengals 20, Vikings 17 (OT)
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 3 keys, prediction: Why the Burrow-less Bengals will survive vs. Minnesota Vikings
Reporting by Pat Brennan, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
