Bengals Crumble Without Joe Burrow: Historic Loss To Vikings Leaves Fans Stunned

Bengals Struggle Without Burrow

The Cincinnati Bengals faced a crushing defeat against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, falling 48-10. This game was notable for being the Bengals' first without star quarterback Joe Burrow this season. Jake Browning stepped in as the starter due to Burrow's turf toe injury, but the results were disastrous. According to Jay Morrison from Sports Illustrated, the Bengals suffered a 45-point loss, marking the most significant deficit in their franchise history.

“The Bengals were losing by more points in this game than any other game in franchise history,” noted Jay Morrison.

Record-Breaking Deficit

With TJ Hockenson scoring a touchdown late in the third quarter, the Bengals found themselves trailing by 45 points, an unprecedented low for the team in its 58-season history. Despite having faced challenging seasons before, Cincinnati has never experienced a defeat as overwhelming as this.

Meanwhile, the Vikings also played with a backup quarterback, Carson Wentz. His performance wasn't stellar, with only 14 completions for 173 yards, but Minnesota's running game and defense proved too strong for the Bengals. Browning's two interceptions compared to Wentz's zero were pivotal in allowing the Vikings to run up the scoreboard.

Defense Under Fire

The Bengals' defense, criticized heavily last year, didn't perform much better under new defensive coordinator Al Golden. The unit was visibly outmatched, and the absence of first-round pick Shemar Stewart, who sat out due to an ankle injury, was felt on the field.

Looking ahead, the Bengals have a prime-time matchup against the Denver Broncos next Monday. This extra day gives them time to regroup and strategize after such a significant setback. Following a surprising victory in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bengals, led by Browning, will need to recalibrate to avoid another disappointment.