When the Cincinnati Bengals stepped off the field in EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, it was with Jake Browning’s first career win as a starting quarterback, and he earned it.
He finished the game with 354 yards, which was more than any other quarterback in Week 13, and a touchdown en route to a Bengals overtime 34-31 win which kept them in the playoff hunt, and rekindled hopes that fans had of the possibility of making the playoffs.
Browning’s success might have been a surprise to some, but for quarterback consultant and former Bengals backup Jordan Palmer, it was expected.
In September when Burrow was still dealing with his calf injury and the Bengals were in a cold streak, Palmer, the younger brother of former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, said the Bengals would be in good hands if they needed to go with Browning.
“Great pocket awareness. How he throws on the run I say is up there,” he said. “Very talented off-platform thrower, which is good for a backup if he goes in and is running around. I was blown away when I saw how he moves and sees the field. He’s got a good touch on the back shoulder.”
Palmer stuck with that after Burrow’s injury and went on the Rich Eisen Show to say that even though it was a terrible situation to lose Joe Burrow, he had worked with Browning over the offseason and said that he would be a good backup to Burrow.
After Browning’s great game on Monday night, he reminded everyone about his comments from earlier.
“Thoughts now?” he posted on Twitter immediately after the Bengals won the game.
Thoughts now? https://t.co/x71AHNrhg5
— Jordan Palmer (@JwPalms) December 5, 2023
It looks like Palmer might have been right about Browning if the game against the Jaguars is any indication of his potential. With the win and Cincinnati’s record back up to 6-6, Browning has them right back in the hunt.
