The Cincinnati Bengals were riding high after their best start since 2018, only for disaster to strike in Week 2. Joe Burrow, the franchise’s centerpiece and one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, went down with a Grade 3 turf toe injury that will sideline him at least three months and likely end his season. It’s the third time in six years he’ll miss extended time, a painful reality for a team that just clawed its way back into contender status with a 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Burrow’s absence leaves backup Jake Browning in charge, and while he’s proven capable before, this isn’t the kind of blow a Super Bowl hopeful brushes off easily. Still, at 2-0, Cincinnati isn’t buried yet. The playoffs remain possible, but only if the Bengals quickly adapt. Here are five key takeaways they must follow to keep those postseason dreams alive.

The ‘major’ takeaway is Jake Browning

The first key for Cincinnati is to lean on backup Jake Browning’s proven relief ability. He has shown composure in high-pressure situations and has prior starting experience, leading winning drives when called upon. The Bengals should adopt a run-first, low-risk game plan that takes advantage of his familiarity with the playbook, minimizes turnovers, and allows him to control the pace of the game.

Offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher emphasized Browning’s capabilities: “I think back to 2023 when we went to Jacksonville, and the mantra of the entire week was just chase completions, and he completed [87.5%] of his passes, so he can play that way.”

Browning’s performance against the Jaguars in Week 2 highlighted his value.

He completed 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions, including a crucial game-winning “modified tush push” rushing touchdown in the final seconds. Given his 4-3 record as a starter in 2023, he can move the chains in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Feed Chase and Higgins in Joe Burrow’s absence

Ja’Marr Chase recorded his 400th career reception during the first quarter of Week 2 against the Jaguars. The milestone came just months after he signed a four-year, $161 million contract extension, cementing his place as one of the NFL’s premier receivers and a cornerstone of the Bengals‘ passing attack.

With Joe Burrow sidelined, the offense must maximize its top weapons. A volume-heavy passing approach prioritizes quick, short throws to maintain rhythm and limit the need for deep dropbacks.

For Chase, this means exploiting his elite YAC ability on quick slants or short routes, while Tee Higgins takes on more pure boundary responsibilities, leveraging his contested-catch skills in red-zone and outside-route situations.

Chase’s deployment is more dynamic this season than in 2023, with 30.5% of his snaps from the slot compared to 20.2% previously. This gives him better opportunities for yards after the catch, even with Browning under center.

Higgins, meanwhile, will see higher variance due to his X-receiver role in this schemed-up offense. He remains playable but is likely a lower-floor WR2/WR3 option in weekly rankings, especially against tougher defenses.

Strengthen the ends and run the ball

If the Bengals want to stay competitive without Burrow, the offensive line must stabilize immediately. Depth behind the starters is shaky, and protection issues have already limited the run game. A run-heavy approach will help control the clock and reduce pressure on the backup quarterback.

Chase Brown leads the backfield, shouldering a massive workload with 100% of the team’s carries through two weeks. The offensive line ranks 31st in yards before contact, limiting his efficiency. Still, volume keeps him valuable, and he remains a fantasy RB2 despite a potentially lower touchdown ceiling.

Pairing a committed rushing attack with stronger edge blocking can turn long second-and-10s into manageable third downs. More motion and play-action under Browning should slightly boost efficiency. As long as Brown stays healthy and Browning executes, the Bengals can remain competitive while Burrow recovers.

Defense must come to life, Joe Burrow’s not here to bail them out

With no upgraded defense, the Bengals were counting on Burrow and the offense to score 40 points a game and outscore opponents. Alas, that plan wasn’t even kicking when JB was ‘OK’ in Week 1.

So, that’s where the defensive swagger must come to life. Young DB’s like Jordan Battle, Josh Newton, and DJ Tunner have challenged Burrow and even Ja’Maar Chase in practice, fueling confidence among the units.

The defense must become the team’s identity. Forcing turnovers and controlling games to support the backup-led offense. If this unit can consistently hold opponents under 20 points, it can keep the Bengals in playoff contention even with a limited attack.

Depth addition to weather the storm

With trade deadlines approaching, upgrades along the offensive line or even adding another veteran quarterback could prove crucial to maintaining competitiveness. Jake Browning provides a reliable bridge, but additional reinforcements would reduce risk over the long season.

And the risks were visible. The Bengals were playing Jags… one of the worst defenses in the league. Browning threw three interceptions, and the Bengals’ defense gave up 400 yards.

Cincy can get away with it against Jacksonville, but the schedule gets tougher from here. The Sept. 27 game in Minnesota starts a five-week run against teams that made the playoffs last season and are projected postseason contenders again. Good luck beating Minnesota, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay and Pittsburgh if Burrow doesn’t play… At this point, hope and miracle are the two things Cincy is clutching onto.

But the Head Coach is more so trusting the veteran’s arm.

Coach Zac Taylor emphasized confidence in Browning, noting his work ethic and familiarity with the offense. “They see what he does every day,” offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said. “He’s done nothing but the best thing possible for the football team from the day he’s walked in this door.”

Wide receiver Andre Iosivas echoed the sentiment, highlighting that the locker room remains energized and focused despite Burrow’s injury.

“You need to set a tone early… then the regular season comes in and you really see what is happening,” he said.

With strategic depth moves and in-house adjustments, the Bengals still have a pathway to chase a playoff berth over the remaining games but will take a near-flawless performance to survive the brutal stretch without their star quarterback.