Bengals offensive line ‘paradox’ suggests Joe Burrow’s injury isn’t the end of their season

Jake Browning #6 and Ted Karras #64 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrate after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars following the game at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Credit: Getty Images/ Kirk Irwin

Bengals offensive line ‘paradox’ suggests Joe Burrow’s injury isn’t the end of their season

Originally posted on NFL Analysis Network
By Ricky Westaby | Last updated Sep 16, 2025 9:30 AM ET

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The Cincinnati Bengals were dealt a horrendous blow only two weeks into the season after Joe Burrow was ruled out for the next three months with a complex turf toe injury.

It’s now the third season out of six in the NFL that Joe Burrow will not play a full season for the Cincinnati Bengals, and he will miss at least the next 12 games.

The Bengals’ failure to address the offensive line has played a massive part in Burrow’s injury history. He was forced off the field after taking his fifth sack in just under six quarters of football this season.

ESPN research revealed that Joe Burrow has not played behind an O-line that didn’t rank in the bottom quartile for pass protection in all six years of his career.

However, in a strange ‘paradox’, Joe Burrow’s injury doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the Bengals’ season, as stats from PFF show when Jake Browning takes the field.

Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

Cincinnati Bengals offensive line blocks better for Jake Browning than Joe Burrow

Yes, you read that correctly. Per PFF, the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive line was graded significantly better when Jake Browning was on the field against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Timo Riske of PFF pointed out on X that with Joe Burrow on the field, the offensive line’s combined pass blocking grade was 49.9. With Jake Browning? 73.1.

Bengals OL combined pass blocking grade yesterday

w/ Joe Burrow in the field yesterday: 49.9
w/ Jake Browning on the field: 73.1

In 2023 it was 67.2 with Browning and 54.6 with Burrow.

It's a weird paradox that Burrow is much better, but his play comes with diminished returns,…
— Timo Riske (@PFF_Moo) September 15, 2025

When Burrow went down in 2023 after a season-ending right wrist injury suffered against the Baltimore Ravens, Browning took over and finished the season with a 4-3 record.

The Bengals’ offensive line’s combined pass blocking grade was again in favour of Browning, 67.2 compared to 54.6 with Burrow.

There was talk of the Bengals looking to trade for a quarterback after it was confirmed that Burrow needed surgery. It looks like Browning is their best shot, as his playstyle suits the offensive line.

Cincinnati Bengals’ season might still be alive with Jake Browning

When Joe Burrow was forced to exit the Jaguars game, few thought Jake Browning would guide them to victory. Despite throwing three interceptions, that’s exactly what he did.

The Bengals clearly have faith in Browning to be the backup; otherwise, they wouldn’t have entered the season with him as their lone option behind Burrow.

PFF’s pass blocking grade for the O-line with Browning on the field will only be encouragement for Bengals head coach Zac Taylor to amend the offense to his strengths.

The only problem is their strength of schedule, especially in the next five games. No one knows what to expect next week as J.J. McCarthy is ruled out for the Vikings, but then it gets rough.

After the Vikings is a trip to the Denver Broncos, before hosting the Detroit Lions, and then back on the road to face another Super Bowl contender, the Green Bay Packers. A lot to ask from a backup!

This article first appeared on NFL Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

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