The Cincinnati Bengals have seen this one before.
Star wideout Ja’Marr Chase is officially out for Saturday’s AFC North showdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) with an AC sprain, according to Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. Cincinnati (8-6) is still winless in the AFC North and seeks its first divisional win of the year.
That’s why the concern for the Bengals not having Chase is even higher. Calling this game a high stakes game for both sides, namely Cincinnati, is a pure understatement. Not only would a win keep the Bengals ahead of a Steelers team fighting for its playoff life, but it almost guarantees the Bengals can get into the playoffs pending one more loss at the very least before the season’s end.
Will the Bengals keep those hopes alive without Chase?
Normally the answer would be yes because the Bengals went on an incredible run last season and ended the year on a 10-game win streak without Chase for part of that streak. Chase missed four games last year with a hip injury before coming back and finishing the season strong with another 1,000+ yard receiving season and back-to-back Pro Bowl berths.
In Chase’s place, Trenton Irwin and Tee Higgins each respectively stepped up to the plate and swung for the fences. Irwin became a trusted target for quarterback Joe Burrow, earning Irwin a 53-man roster spot elevation. Higgins bolstered his argument for why he could be a solid No. 1 receiver on most NFL rosters.
Here’s the problem though: Burrow isn’t throwing the ball.
With all due the utmost respect to the exceptionally red-hot Jake Browning, Browning might experience a setback without Chase by his side. Chase has been Browning’s top target in three of their last four gams, including the 11 catch, 149 receiving yard and one touchdown night from Chase in the infamous “Jake Browning Game” win over the Jaguars earlier this month.
Browning can and will replicate a lot of production and success with Higgins who has also thrived under Browning’s reign under center. Surely Higgins’ two touchdowns and his clutch overtime-forcing score against Minnesota last week is sufficient evidence that the two can click right?
Don’t forget the advantage that Browning boasts by playing on the practice squad with Irwin for over two seasons. Their connection is evident and Browning will have more reasons to keep tapping into that valuable connection with his comrade. Rookie Andrei Iosivas now has another change to get much deserved in-game reps and flex his muscle.
Browning gets another advantage from the fact that Steelers safeties Trenton Thompson and Minkah Fitzpatrick are both officially out on Saturday with respective injuries while another safety, Eliah Riley, is questionable. A weaker defensive backfield will give more room for Browning to be surgical in the pocket.
So can Browning keep up the magic? In short, yes.
Will the magic stay alive? That’s a toss-up answer that will be decided by how well Browning comes out the gate Saturday.
