NFL News: Can Bengals keep pace without star quarterback Joe Burrow?
Adam Martin 
The Cincinnati Bengals went top of the AFC North at the weekend, but they face a challenge to stay there after injury to Joe Burrow.
The Bengals are third with UK betting sites to remain top of their division come the end of the campaign, and that's in no thanks down to the loss of their star quarterback.
See what NFL expert Adam Martin thinks below - and check back later this week for his NFL betting tips for week 3.
The Cincinnati Bengals managed to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday despite the loss of star quarterback Joe Burrow. A 31-27 win saw them climb to the top of the AFC North but being able to stay there could be tough now.
Burrow went down with a suspected toe injury early in the game when the Bengals were losing 14-7. Up stepped backup quarterback Jake Browning to lead the Bengals to a win.
It's not the first time that Browning has had to come in for Burrow and showed he could do a job. In 2023 Browning started seven games for the Bengals, in Burrows absence and produced some good displays.
The news that has come out from the Bengals on Monday morning is that Burrow will need to have surgery. An estimated time of recovery is at least three months. With him gone for most of the season its now down to Browning to play more than he has ever done before.
The backup had 21 completions for 241 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions in a rollercoaster of a game. In 2023 he threw 12 touchdowns and seven interceptions over the eight games that he played in.
These stats obviously show that Browning can be a good quarterback at times but also, he is prone to make mistakes. For a team that is hoping to make the playoffs and has started well at 2-0, the question must be - is that going to be enough?
The Bengals already have a reputation of having a poor defence but a high-calibre offence. If the offence drops off, then can they really make themselves good enough to keep the pace they have set.
Already there have been rumours of bringing in another quarterback to cover the loss of Burrow but realistically is there anyone better than Browning? Or do they go with Browning as their starter and then bring in a backup for him?
There are plenty of options available to the Bengals, whether it be via trade or a free agent pickup. If they want a free agent, then Desmond Ridder would make a ton of sense as he spent the summer with the Bengals in training camp.
Taylor Heinicke, Mike White and Kyle Trask are all free agents who could be a backup for Browning. If they want to trade for someone then the first name of everyone’s list would be Kirk Cousins.
The Falcons quarterback is currently sitting behind Michael Penix and would be looking to get game time. Jameis Winston at the Giants would make a lot of sense as he is their number three guy. Also, Sam Howell at the Eagles could be someone to go for.
Overall
The Bengals are obviously going to miss Joe Burrow, and it will be impossible to be the same team without him. However, Jake Browning has shown that he can win games. If the rest of the team step up, especially the defence, then the Bengals can still be a force in the AFC.
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