Browns Have This Advantage Week 1
They say one should never wish injury upon another person. While this is true, not having Bengals starter Joe Burrow likely not playing Week 1 against Cleveland in the home opener is certainly a blessing.
This Via CBS: “Head coach Zac Taylor said after practice that Burrow is dealing with a calf injury, and the team confirmed to ESPN Burrow suffered a strained calf. Taylor indicated on Friday that Burrow will be out several weeks and that the team will look to add a quarterback to the other two healthy passers currently on its roster (Trevor Siemian and Jake Browning), who will rotate by day for the moment.”
Well, it certainly depends on just how much time Burrow will miss for the season. Obviously, if it’s the entire year it lessens the chances of the Bengals making a run at the Super Bowl or even the divisional crown.
Of course, the Bengals play the Browns both Week 1 in CLE ( 1 p.m.) and Week 18 in Cinci (time TBD). Those games are crucial to get the season off to a good start and then of course to finish strong in what could be a matchup that has playoff implications within it.
Last season, the Browns played the Bengals in Week 8 at home and Week 14 in Cincinnati.
The first matchup was actually a 32-13 win for Cleveland on Monday Night Football. Burrow tossed 25-35 for 232 yards, two touchdowns to one interception. Not even bad numbers for such a horrific loss. Happy Halloween, Browns Fans.
In the Week 14 CLE loss, Burrow went 18-33 for 239 yards, two touchdowns to one interception.
Now, it’s important to remember this is the quarterback that led the Bengals to the Super Bowl last season and despite splitting the series versus Cleveland, he is more than capable of dominating.
Last season, Burrow threw for 4,475 yards, 35 touchdowns compared to only 12 interceptions.
The injury gives the Browns a crucial advantage in the two contests and there is no denying that moving forward. Now, it’s not guaranteed Burrow is out for say the entire season and the Browns may end up facing him in the last game of this upcoming year.
Even the first game… if Burrow has a solid recovery there’s a chance Burrow gets back to 100% by Week 1.
What’s most important is that say Burrow doesn’t play…
The Browns cannot become lackadaisical in the matchups and think these will be easy wins. The Bengals are still a damn good team with or without Burrow. Their backups are more than capable of playing great football.
Cleveland Sports Talk will have more information on the Burrow situation and anything related to the Browns as the season creeps closer and closer to starting! The Browns play the Hall of Fame Game this Thursday to begin the preseason against the New York Jets.
FOR MORE ON WR MARQUISE GOODWIN CLICK HERE
About Author
