I am a life long Bengals fan. Dad went to Walnut Hills, Mom went to Ursuline, but they left Cincy before having my siblings and I.

At times, sure, it’s felt like a curse, or some bad genetics that I inherited. Today is one of those days… it’s just so unfortunate. Before the year even had a chance to start… and a fucking TOE INJURY of all things…

When it was announced he would be done for the year with the wrist in 2023, I felt the same way. Honestly I think I felt a few shades darker then than I do right now…

The truth is, I have had countless miserable years as a Bengals fan, and after that wrist injury, I was certain that 2023 was going to be one of them. Potentially even near the top of the list. But Jake Browning had other ideas…

Genuinely, rooting for this guy was just so easy. We got to see him over a seven game stretch, and half a game in Baltimore. we know who he is, and we know what he is made of. I don’t think it’s blasphemous at all to say that I would take him over 1/3 to 1/2 of the starters in this league. He can absolutely step in and successfully run this offense. He’s not Joe Burrow, and I will never claim that he is. But he’s got humongous nuts, a really great arm, an eye for the end zone, and enough poise to walk into Arrowhead in January without blinking. And maybe most importantly, the locker room LOVES HIM.

Call me delusional, but I still think we can be a 10 win or 11 win team.

25 comments

  4. YOU SHOULD HAVE NEVER FUCKIN CUT ME..perfect timing we play the Vikings this week..JB6 is finna cook them mfs

  5. It’s not delusional but i also want people to temper the enthusiasm. Last time he came in he won a couple of very tight games and then got completely stomped by Pittsburgh in a must win. The hope here is on Burrow having a faster recovery than expected. If he’s mobile and back to practicing in November, then mayyyyybe this season isn’t cooked.

  8. I sure hope the people that say the season is over will just see themselves out of the subreddit then. No use for looking at it you believe there’s no hope.

    I’m not happy about the circumstances but I’m ready to ride or die with Browning

  9. You need 10 to get in, and by that time JB9 should be back (hopefully before). 

    You’ve got 2 wins in the bag with 15 to play. If Burrow is out for 11 games (3 months, with a bye) and the season concludes with three VERY beatable teams, you can probably bank on JB9 / JB6 winning 2/3 against CLE, ARI, and MIA. 

    2 wins now + 2 wins in the final three weeks means you have to find 6 wins in the middle of the season. That’s 6-6 football. 

    We obviously want more, but the job of any backup is to be a serviceable bridge until QB1 can return. I think it is realistic to think that JB6 is a 6-6 QB with the weapons around him and if JB9 is in the playoffs we can do anything. 

  10. If we go 1 game over .500 the rest of the way we are 10-7. That would have gotten us in last season. Also, remember (if I am correct), Jake is playing for his future starter football contract this season.

  11. I don’t doubt Browning being good. But we struggle to win games with Burrow putting up 30+. Browning isn’t a 30+ QB. If we had a competent defense I think we may be able to sneak in to the wildcard but unless they make a sacrifice to Cthulhu, we are done.

  12. I hated when Joe went out in 2023, but as a fan, the rest of that season was a lot more enjoyable than most fans would experience with their QB1 out. I was pleasantly surprised. JB6 ain’t no slouch.

  14. It’s hard to get over being depressed about Burrow. But Jake showed he can handle the job. I’m excited to see what he can do.

  17. 1980/81, Went to every home game that year, including playoffs. Was 7 at the time. Dad and other friends/ family went to the SB. Devastated to miss that game and devastated after taking the loss. Nothing sports wise will eclipse this level of pain. I feel bad for JoeB. Deserves better. JakeB is a baller. Excited to see what he can do with the opportunity. Who Dey!

  19. I’m a little concerned about the interceptions he threw but timing with his weapons should improve greatly with practice and repetition. I think we’ve got a legit shot

  20. Im with ya. Unfortunately this is not a super bowl team. This defense smells like limberger cheese and we’re gonna hand every offense we face free third down conversions on a regualr basis. We might have a great chance to make the playoffs. Im not counting on making it past round 1 or 2. Its gonna be a fun ride though and im exited to get it on

  21. I truly, truly believe in this dude. He gets to grow with the offense instead of being thrown in halfway through the season. I think he is going to surprise everyone

  23. It’d be lowkey kinda hilarious if Jake Browning just keeps being brought in every time the Bengals take on the Vikings just so he can get more and more revenge for being cut by them. Heck I bet they wish they had him now.

  24. I love Joe Burrow unlike any other player, but we can’t forget that he’s not the entire team.

    *This* is why we paid Tee, and Ja’Marr, and Trey.

    Because it’s a team sport. And frankly, with this receiving core, any QB with serviceable accuracy and ample time in the pocket can get the job done.

    And Browning isn’t “any QB,” he was elite until injury. A Heisman contender in his sophomore year and a four-year starter.

    The primary negative mark on his draft card?

    “His success is reliant on good receivers.”

    …I think I might know one or two good receivers in the Bengals’ locker room. Or five.

    If the OL can give Browning time and the Defense doesn’t fold, uh – why did we pay all this money for a high-power offense if Joe was the only piece that mattered? If that’s the case, why didn’t we follow in KC’s steps?

    Oh – because if KC lost Mahomes for the season right now, they are done. Not a hope or a prayer.

    And we have, dare I say, optimism?

    A long way to say I’m coping, but — I don’t think I am, actually. If Henry and Barkley can carry their teams, why can’t a receiver? We have Ja’Marr Morherfucking Chase. It’s going to be okay.

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