The 27-year-old quarterback that played 54 collegiate football games is taking the NFL by storm and keeping his team’s playoff hopes alive, after the starter suffered a season-ending injury. 

The QB is Jake Browning. Browning has completed 75% of his passes for 924 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He’s doing enough to win and keep Cincinnati in games. 

After Joe Burrow suffered his season-ending wrist injury on Thursday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens in week 11, it looked like the team’s season was over. Browning is (2-1) as a starter and the offense with him under center has averaged 26 points per game and 366 yards per game. 

The offense seems to be clicking more with Browning than with Burrow this season, but that’s just to show how good Browning has been. This is still Burrow’s team and he was injured for most of this season and the team wasn’t clicking on all cylinders. 

The Bengals have four very winnable games to end their season. The following games are as follows: Vs Vikings, @ Steelers, @ Chiefs, vs Browns. 

All winnable games. The hardest game for them may come as a surprise. While going to Arrowhead against Patrick Mahomes is always a tall task, Cincinnati has had their success against them in recent history. During Zac Taylor and Burrow’s career, they’ve struggled to win games against the Browns. While Burrow isn’t playing in this one, the divisional games are always a challenge. 

The team is sitting at 7-6 heading into Week 15 against the Vikings, with a 3-6 record in the AFC. That conference record might keep them out of the playoffs, but if they win out, it’s going to be difficult for them to miss the playoffs with an 11-6 record. 

Will the Bengals make the playoffs after a rollercoaster season with Browning under center?