With Joe Burrow out for the season, Jake Browning has taken the reins of the offense, and he struggled to get accustomed to the speed of the game in his first start against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the Cincinnati Bengals lost 16-10.
The difference between Burrow and Browning was obvious as early as the third play of the day for the offense, pointed out by former Bengals’ assistant offensive line and running backs coach Kyle Caskey on Twitter in a video where Browning didn’t see Andre Iosivas on a deep route where he was open.
Instead of hitting Iosivas for what would have likely been a touchdown pass if the throw was accurate, Browning took a sack and fumbled the ball, though the Bengals were able to recover it and punt it away the next play.
It was well-known that there would be a large downgrade with Burrow out, but the first week of Browning as the starter wasn’t encouraging for the Bengals playoff hopes that are still alive.
On the 3rd OFF play of @Bengals v @Steelers – Joe Burrow would probably have thrown a TD to Andrei Iosivas
But instead…Jake Browning doesn’t pull the trigger & sack fumble
This is the difference between Burrow & any other QB that runs out on the field…@CBoxSports #CINvsPIT pic.twitter.com/LHBYnO2jIM
— Kyle Caskey (@CoachKyleCaskey) November 27, 2023