This isn’t the start Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning likely envisioned.
Cincinnati’s hopes of a 3-0 start quickly evaporated Sunday with a 48-10 blowout loss to Browning’s former Vikings team in Minnesota.
Making his first start of the season in place of an injured Joe Burrow, Browning tossed one touchdown and two interceptions to drop Cincy to 2-1 on the year.
The 29-year-old quarterback— who began his NFL career with the Vikings in 2019 as an undrafted free agent — relieved Burrow in the team’s 31-27 win over the Jaguars last week after the former first-overall pick sustained a turf toe injury.
Burrow, 28, underwent surgery on Friday and is expected to be sidelined for three months. However, Jay Glazer reported on “Fox NFL Sunday” that the timeline could be extended.
“They’re saying three months, I don’t see three months being an actual timeline,” Glazer said. “I think more so [Burrow has] a chance [to return] if they make the playoffs, but only because it’s Joe Burrow. Somebody else I’d say no. But he has that Mamba Mentality, maybe yes. It’s such a difficult injury to return from.”
make every NFL game pay off
Underdog is where football fans become winners.
- Easy player picks
- No season-long commitments
- Real prizes every single night
Use promo code NYPOST5 to get $50 in site credits when you play $5!
The Bengals missed the playoffs last season after going 9-8.
Sunday afternoon started with much fanfare for Browning, who was supported on the road by fiancée Stephanie Niles.
In a video posted on Instagram, Niles — who revealed her engagement to Browning last fall — modeled her game-day ensemble that featured a black top, biker shorts and white knee-high boots.
“It is so weird being here under these circumstances,” Niles began. “Anyways, this is a very last-minute fit. [The Cincinnati-based] RAT OTR opened their store and let me pick this out. They saved my butt.”
Niles has supported Browning over the years, even going viral in January 2024 for a white body suit worn at a game.
The Bengals, who added quarterback help in the wake of Burrow’s injury, will visit the Broncos next week on “Monday Night Football.”
Meanwhile, the Vikings improved to 2-1 with backup Carson Wentz under center.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
