Bengals take big risk on 'MNF,' pays off

QB Joe Burrow was a game time decision on Monday night as he was far from being 100 percent healthy. But the Bengals decided to take the risk of playing him after starting the season 0-2 and it seems to have paid off.

Cincinnati defeated the Rams 19-16 and Burrow didn't have any setbacks from his calf injury, which he reaggravated in Week 2.

"I feel good," Burrow said. "We didn't have any setbacks today, but still day to day, and I've learned through this process that you can have one at any time. So, it was good to get through this one, and that means it'll be stronger for next week, so hopefully, I can have a full week of practice to prepare for next week."

The Bengals offense still struggled, however, joining the Giants as the only two teams to not score a first half touchdown on offense this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

It was Cincinnati' defense that was the difference in the Week 3 finale, totaling six sacks and two interceptions and allowing just one touchdown.

Although Burrow still didn't look like his normal self, completing 26-of-49 passes for zero touchdowns and an interception, he still gives the Bengals the best chance to win when he's on the field. So, it was certainly worth the risk for him.

"There is risk to go out there and potentially re-injure it, but there's also a risk to go out there and be 0-3," Burrow added, "so I wanted to be out there for my guys, and I was confident I was going to be able to do what I needed to do to get the win."

Cincinnati (1-2) heads to Tennessee to face the Titans (1-2) in Week 4 where it will likely use the same approach for its QB1.