In the final minutes of the Cincinnati Bengals‘ 34-31 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs to clinch the AFC North, Joe Burrow was injured and hobbled off the field. This paved the way for Brandon Allen to step into the game and take the final few snaps for the team in the most important win in several years.
Burrow spoke to the media following the division-clinching victory and gave everyone an update on his injury. He said it was sore after he was injured in the loss to the Chargers but that it’s nothing serious.
The Bengals knew that they were going to take a knee and then spike the ball to set up Evan McPherson’s field goal, so there wasn’t a good reason to bring Burrow back out there. Allen was more than capable of handling those two snaps and he did just that.
Joe Burrow on his right knee: “It’s good enough. Sore after Chargers game. Nothing serious. Would have come back in, knew just knee it and then clock it. Let Brandon do it.”
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) January 2, 2022
When asked if this is the best ball Burrow has ever played, he agreed and said he’s seeing the field really well. It’s hard to argue that, as he’s thrown for over 900 yards in his last two games. The kid is on fire.
I just asked Joe Burrow if he thinks he’s playing the best he’s ever played in his career, his response: I do, I think I’m seeing the field really well pic.twitter.com/DsPMIcGZ74
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) January 2, 2022
Burrow probably knew during his senior season at LSU that ended with a National Championship title that he’d be quarterbacking the Bengals. At the time, there was speculation if he’d refuse to play for the organization due to their not great reputation but Burrow said he knew he wanted to be a Bengal.
Burrow: "It means more because I’m from Ohio and I know the history of the Bengals. The ownership we have has taken heat, but they’ve done a great job building this team. Credit to the Brown family. They did a great job, including hiring Zac."
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) January 2, 2022
Joe Burrow is feeling good following Bengals’ AFC North title
The storyline in this game was how much Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase lit up a Chiefs defense that had been playing really well during their eight-game win streak. Burrow poked fun at a common meme amongst the NFL when it came to targeting Chase on the key 3rd-and-27.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow on finding Ja'Marr Chase downfield on third-and-27 late in the game: "Everyone knows that meme: 'F it. Ja'Marr's down there somewhere.'"
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 2, 2022
Another big talking point was the fact that Burrow’s nameplate was ripped off of his jersey during the game. The quarterback had no idea that this was the case apparently.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow said he was unaware of the nameplate being ripped off the back of his jersey.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 2, 2022
Burrow also made sure to smoke a cigar in honor of the big win. This is something he was legendary for during his time at LSU.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow on if he smoked a celebratory cigar: "Don't worry. I smoked one in there."
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) January 2, 2022
No one expected the Bengals to be here this year but everyone knew if they were able to get to this point that it’d be because of Joe Burrow. He’s the right guy for the job in Cincinnati and he proved it in the big win over the Chiefs.
"Cincinnati Bengals: All-time passing leaders in franchise history"
Next up is a trip to Cleveland and with the No. 1 seed still on the line, it’s likely we see Burrow take the field next week.