Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning led his team to victory while getting revenge on a former team. The Bengals defeated the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 in overtime for their third straight win with Browning under center.
Browning started his career with the Vikings and signed with the Bengals practice squad in 2021. The Bengals are now 3-1 when Browning starts and have moved into a Wild Card spot at 8-6 but could slip back depending on Sunday’s games.
Jake Browning’s History With the Minnesota Vikings
In 2020, Browning was in training camp with the Vikings and was told to stay at the hotel because there could be a spot on the practice squad for him. He said his agent, not the team, notified him that he was cut. Browning said, “I’ve been cut my fair share of times, and that was probably the sh—est one.”
Browning said after the win, “There was a little more this week. I know I denied it, and there’s some great people over there; it’s completely different. Completely different coaching staff and everything. I want to emphasize that there are some incredible people over there. But that one felt good.”
Browning Leads the Comeback
Cincinnati trailed 17-3 after the third quarter and scored 21 points to force overtime. Browning completed a 21-yard touchdown pass to Tee Higgins, who caught the ball on the sideline at the 1-yard line and reached the ball behind him to cross the goal line with 39 seconds left.
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After both teams had possession, Browning’s 44-yard pass to Tyler Boyd moved the Bengals down the field to set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime.
Browning’s reaction to the game-winning field goal, “I screamed at a camera and said, ‘They never should’ve cut me.’”
High Praise for Browning
Browning completed 29 of 42 passes for 324 yards with two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. He was without the team’s leading receiver after Ja’Marr Chase left in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury.
Higgins said of Browning, “He’s playing like a true No. 1 QB. That’s all you can ask for a guy like him to come in, especially when a guy like Joe goes out. Just come in and pick up where Joe left off. It’s a blessing.”
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor on Browning’s reaction to an interception: “Jake’s just so steady; he really is. He doesn’t get rattled by a negative play, doesn’t overreact to it. That’s what you want to see from your quarterback — a guy who doesn’t get too high or too low … is able to move on. That’s exactly what he did, and that was really impressive.”
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