Jake Browning and the Cincinnati Bengals turned disaster into triumph Sunday night, rallying from a rough first half — and the loss of Joe Burrow to injury — to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 31-27 on a last-second touchdown drive.
Browning, in relief of the injured Burrow, scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak with 18 seconds left to secure the Bengals’ first 2-0 start since 2018. The sixth-year backup overcame three interceptions to account for three total touchdowns, including two through the air, and engineered a 92-yard game-winning march that silenced a stunned EverBank Stadium.
The Bengals’ victory was clouded by concern for their franchise quarterback. Burrow, who had thrown for 76 yards and a touchdown on 7-of-13 passing, left midway through the second quarter after being sacked by Jacksonville defensive tackle Arik Armstead. He limped to the locker room and later returned to the sideline with his left foot in a boot and on crutches.
Head coach Zac Taylor said he had no immediate update on Burrow’s status. Browning’s night started poorly, with three costly interceptions. But he steadied himself and made the plays that mattered late. After Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars turned the ball over on downs with 3:42 remaining, Browning orchestrated a 15-play, 92-yard drive.
A fourth-and-3 conversion on a 13-yard pass to Chase Brown at the Jacksonville 15. A controversial pass-interference flag on Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter that extended the series. And ultimately, the decisive sneak, which Browning said was set up by Jacksonville’s low defensive push.
“I just knew I had to go over the top,” Browning said. “The guys up front gave me the window.”
Ja’Marr Chase provided Browning with a reliable target all night. After a quiet opener last week, Chase exploded for 14 catches and 165 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He also surpassed 400 career receptions in the opening period.
Tee Higgins added a highlight of his own, breaking free on a 42-yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24. Higgins benefited from a defensive miscue when Jaguars corner Tyson Campbell and safety Andrew Wingard collided, allowing him to stroll untouched into the end zone.
Rookie Mitchell Tinsley also delivered a memorable moment, pulling down a one-handed 13-yard catch for his first career reception — and touchdown — to tie the game 17-17 early in the second half.
Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence was up and down, finishing 25 of 43 for 294 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He connected with Dyami Brown and Brayshul Tuten early, then added an 11-yard scoring toss to Travis Etienne in the third quarter to put Jacksonville ahead 24-17.
But the Jaguars squandered opportunities, managing just one touchdown off Browning’s three interceptions. Lawrence’s incompletion to rookie Brian Thomas Jr. on a late fourth-and-5 opened the door for Cincinnati’s final drive.
“We’re going for it every time in that situation,” first-year coach Liam Coen said. “That’s a 100 percent ‘Go.’ We just didn’t execute.”
Etienne finished with 71 rushing yards and the touchdown grab.
The Bengals, now 2-0, will travel to Minnesota next Sunday to begin a daunting stretch of five straight games against playoff teams. The Jaguars (1-1) return home to face AFC South rival Houston.
Whether Cincinnati’s hot start can continue may depend on Burrow’s availability — and whether Browning can keep turning nightmares into dream finishes.
