GLOBAL NEWS: CINCINNATI BENGALS SIGN QB PLAYER WHO IS BETTER THAN.

Cincinnati, Ohio (AP) – For the first time in a month, the Cincinnati Bengals broke the QB Player on Sunday with a 34-14 thrashing of the Colts.

That didn’t seem likely after backup quarterback Jake Browning was forced into action and Bengals franchise quarterback Joe Burrow was sidelined due to a wrist injury.

The 27-year-old Browning hadn’t gained much traction in the NFL despite being a star quarterback in California high school and throwing for 12,296 yards and 94 touchdowns at the University of Washington.

Browning is making the most of the chance. The Bengals are hoping to make the playoffs again after he has been excellent in his last two starts. They are one of six teams in the AFC race with a 7-6 record.

In Sunday’s victory over the Colts, Browning threw two touchdown passes and also scored on rushing attempts.

He passed for 354 yards and a touchdown in a victory against Jacksonville in the previous game.

On Sunday, he found eight different receivers to pass the ball to as the Bengals tied their season-high point total.

After making crucial receptions of 46 and 26 yards on Sunday, Tee Higgins stated, “Jake is leading the offense and running the show.” “We´ve got to keep playing to his strengths and keep doing what we do.”

Browning, who spent the previous two seasons on the Bengals practice squad, was a seasoned player with plenty of preparation when he was asked to take Burrow’s place, according to coach Zac Taylor.

“Without our starter on the field, (the backup) simply needs to step up, be ready, and play as well as he can. That’s what Jake did,” Taylor remarked.

“It’s not about one guy, but the guys think well of him. It’s the group coming together, with additional support from the defense and special teams. The last two weeks, I believe, have seen an amazing team effort.”

What is effective

Against the Colts, Cincinnati’s offense was well-balanced. Joe Mixon and Chase Brown combined for 126 receiving yards and 104 rushing yards. With no sacks allowed, the offensive line played one of its best games. The Colts were only allowed 46 rushing yards by the defense, which also sacked Gardner Minshew three times.

“Everything appears to be going smoothly,” Browning stated.

Only three of the Bengals’ eleven third down attempts were successful. Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who had eight catches for a team-high 95 yards, frequently got past Bengals defensive backs.

Brown, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier in the season, has made the most of his playing time. In the game against the Colts, he had the biggest play of the day when he received a short pass and raced 54 yards down the right sideline to score Cincinnati’s first touchdown. On the touchdown, Brown reached a top speed of 22.05 mph, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. In the years since NFL Next Gen began tracking in 2016, that is the fastest by a Bengals ball carrier.

TE In the last two games, Irv Smith Jr. has not received a pass reception. While Tanner Hudson and Drew Sample are getting more playing time as pass catchers, he was signed as a free agent to play that position.

PERSONAL HARM

CB On December 4, Cam Taylor-Britt (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. One of the Bengals’ top defensive backs this season has been the second-year player. He might make a comeback before the season is out.