Bengals dealt another blow in team's quest for the playoffs

Earlier this season, starting quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury in Week 11.

Backup quarterback Jake Browning has been excellent in relief of Burrow, going 3-1 in four starts. 

After his 324-yard, two-touchdown performance in Saturday's 27-24 overtime win over the Vikings, Browning became the first player since the league began tracking quarterback starts in 1950 to throw for at least 1,000 yards with a 75% completion percentage in his first four starts.

Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins also reminded everyone how deep the team is at wide receiver with his phenomenal effort on the tying touchdown against Minnesota.

 As much depth as the team has, losing Chase for any amount of time will certainly make Cincy's goal of reaching the postseason even more difficult.

While Pittsburgh (7-7) has faded from playoff contention over its last three games, it's a desperate team needing a win to keep its dim playoff hopes alive.  

Over the final two weeks of the season, the Bengals play the Chiefs (9-5) and Browns (9-5), a pair of teams closing in on clinching playoff berths.

The job was never going to be easy for Cincinnati (8-6) to make the playoffs without Burrow. Chase's injury and a difficult schedule made the task much more difficult. If the Bengals somehow reach the postseason, they will have earned it.