sad news: Cincinnati Bengals just announce the departure of six players - sad news: Cincinnati Bengals just announce the departure of six players

are set to face off for their second outing of the season in Week 16. Though the Steelers pulled away with the win in their first outing just weeks ago, each of these teams feels like they’re in a much different spot than they were just a month ago. We discuss Bengals QBJak e Browning, Cincinnati’s playoff hopes and more with Anthony Cosenza of Cincy Jungle ahead of Week 16.

Yes, I think you’re referring to Higgins missing the last Steelers game. Of course, Chase being out is a huge loss, but I suppose the silver lining, if I have to cling to one, is in the fact that Browning has dispersed the ball pretty evenly across the board. Chase has had only one true dominant performance in Browning’s four games (11 catches for 149 and a score against Jacksonville), but he’s still had timely, highlight-reel catches and his mere presence on the field commands a ton of attention.

I don’t think this is going to be an Air Player of the Week-type of deal from Browning, but rather trying to use the size and catch radii of Higgins and his tight ends in a controlled passing attack, driven by the play-action. Again, look for swings, screens and intermediate chain-moving passes this week, particularly with the Steelers so decimated at safety.

It’s weird. Everyone’s enjoying the Cinderella story with Browning and the fact that they’re in the thick of the AFC playoff picture despite losing one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. After a win or two, I think people were stoked, but were still hesitant to call them contenders.

But, Browning seems to have a similar “it factor” to Burrow’s immense one and this team has held a strong belief in itself after losing Burrow. Throw in the fact that some of the teams they may face in the postseason (if they make) at some point, might either be a team they’ve already beaten (Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Buffalo) and/or one sporting a backup quarterback of their own.

Still, last week’s game against the Vikings was a bloodbath. They lost run-stopping savant, D.J. Reader, for the season along with reserve corner D.J. Ivey, with Chase also getting hurt. Their defense is giving up a lot of yards and relying on the random huge plays rather than methodical stops and two of these three wins have been in overtime. They need to win at least two of the next three tough ones (at Pittsburgh, at Kansas City, home against Cleveland) to get in and may even need more help with 10 wins.

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