Jake Browning Must Rebound in Week 5 vs Lions to Remain Bengals Starting Quarterback
Jake Browning and the Bengals' offense has been atrocious over the last two weeks, managing only 13 points. They've been outscored 76-13 over that span. While the offensive line and run game have struggled, the problem begins and ends with Jake Browning at quarterback.
During those two weeks, Browning has thrown for only 265 yards combined, averaging just 5.2 and 5.0 yards per attempt, respectively. He's thrown one touchdown and two interceptions. Those numbers are flat out awful and are arguably the biggest reason why the Bengals offense has looked as bad as it has the last two weeks.
The challenge this week only gets more difficult as well when the Detroit Lions and their top-ten-ranked defense come to town. Through the first month of the season, the Lions rank no. 11 in passing defense and no. 8 in rush defense, and when you dive into the numbers of the unit, it aligns with where they rank.
Following the team's Week 1 loss to the Green Bay Packers, the defense has surrendered 61 points combined during their three-game win streak; most of which came from a 38-30 victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 3. It isn't that number that matters as much as the others during this undefeated stretch. The Lions' defense has forced six turnovers on defense and 14 sacks, led by their otherworldly defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, who has four sacks and two forced fumbles, along with 23 pressures.
Let's face it, beating a Detroit Lions team that looks every part of a Super Bowl contender is much easier said than done. If they are to have any chance, it starts with Browning settling in, finding star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins downfield, and not taking unnecessary sacks when the offensive line is giving him time in the pocket.
"I need to adjust how I'm throwing some of my 50/50 balls to him," Browning said about his connection with Higgins. "Just to give him a shot at it and see. I would say that was the main takeaway, a couple little things here and there that I want to clean up. And outside of that, I think you can only have so many takeaways."
Regardless of how bleak things look for the Bengals and their offense, there will be opportunities for Browning to get the ball in the hands of Chase and Higgins due to not only their playmaking ability, but also injuries to the Lions' secondary.
Detroit placed starting cornerback DJ Reed on injured reserve this week with a hamstring injury, forcing Rock Ya-Sin into the starting role. Terrion Arnold has struggled much of the season, allowing 15 total receptions and a passer rating of 117.1 when targeted.
To go along with the injuries in the secondary, the Lions also ruled out linebacker Zach Cunningham and defensive tackle Alim McNeill as well for Sundays game.
Even with the injuries Detroit is facing, Browning will have to shut down critics Sunday evening to give the Bengals a chance. The Lions are averaging 34.3 points-per-game. All eyes are on Browning to get the ball to his weapons and get the most out of a talented core of weapons.
Payton & Nix Comments Could Foreshadow a Big Courtland Sutton Day in Philly
Veteran wide receiver Courtland Sutton's importance to Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix was reflected in the four-year, $92 million extension he received this past summer. Their chemistry together has paid off in back-to-back games.
The Broncos' undisputed No. 1 receiver has delivered big numbers, grabbing 11 balls for 199 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Sutton made a huge difference-maker against the Cincinnati Bengals last week, excelling as a big-bodied go-to guy who comes down with the ball in the red zone.
Sutton is a bona fide X-factor, impressing Broncos head coach Sean Payton. Sutton offers Payton a deep bag of tools to go to in the red zone.
“He has a handful of his traits, relative to how he prepares, is fantastic. He’s strong with strong hands in traffic, and in the red zone, there’s generally traffic," Payton said of Sutton. "So it favors certain players, and then there’s certain players maybe it doesn’t favor as much. He’s one of those guys, and we’ve seen a number of times it’s kind of covered, traffic, and yet he can high-point a ball and catch it properly.”
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Sutton uses his total package of physical abilities to outmuscle defenders for scores in the red zone, which was on display on Monday night in his touchdown just before the half against the Bengals.
Sutton paid the price physically, as he landed heavily on his back in the end zone, but his quarterback fully appreciates the selfless and clutch receiver he has at his disposal.
“It’s great. He’s an experienced guy who understands defenses, understands space and time," Nix said about Sutton on Thursday. "He’s got great body control. When one-on-one, you can literally throw it up to him. You feel comfortable that he is going to come down with it, but he’s just wise beyond his years. He allows us to scheme him up. He’s a smart football player, and I mean, he’s proven it time and time again. He forces teams to really take him away, and it’s our job to get him open.”
Scheming to get Sutton open when the Broncos' offense is under the shadow of the goalposts will be more difficult against Vic Fangio's defense this Sunday in Philadelphia. If the .500 Broncos are going to take down the currently
Sutton will be the major focal point for the Broncos' passing offense when they get inside the 20-yard line, so he knows that doing his homework will make all the difference when his number gets called.
“What they do well in the field is just amplified. I was just talking to someone earlier today about how when Coach [Vic] Fangio was here, that was one thing that if we were not statistically in a high category anywhere else in terms of team stats, red zone defense was always something he did a really good job at," Sutton said on Thursday. "I think it’s the way he coaches it. He’s a really good teacher... It will be on us to make sure that we are sound in our technique, our execution, the game plan, and going out there and taking advantage of the opportunities that come when they do come. They do a really good job of making sure they are sound in that part of the field.”
One of the most compelling subplots on Sunday will be how Fangio tries to nullify the Nix-to-Sutton connection. Fortunately, everyone within the Broncos' inner circle has gotten the memo.
Game on.
