There’s this graphic about the Cincinnati Bengals that is making rounds all over social media.
It reveals that no one has ever sent a text message about the team winning a playoff game.
True enough, the franchise last enjoyed postseason success during the 1990 season when they defeated the Houston Oilers in the Wild Card round.
Since then, the Bengals have made the playoffs seven times but never won one game.
They are knocking on the door again, this time, hoping for a deep playoff run.
Luckily, they have a quarterback who doesn’t shy away from any challenge.
Joe Burrow will have to hurdle yet another obstacle in his young but blossoming career.
Unafraid Of Adversity
Burrow has already built a legacy of proving people wrong.
It started in college when he transferred from Ohio State to LSU.
After not having much playing time at Columbus, he bet on himself and went to Baton Rouge as a graduate transfer.
The Iowa native played for the Tigers for only two years, but those seasons were enough to make him a top NFL prospect.
IN. THE. ZONE. #RuleTheJungle pic.twitter.com/ul77z1sH7N
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 13, 2022
Aside from winning the Heisman Trophy in 2019, he also led LSU to a National Championship in the same year.
He finished that undefeated season with 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and six interceptions.
With those numbers, making him the number one draft pick was a no-brainer for the Bengals.
Winning Cincinnati’s starting quarterback role wasn’t even a debate.
#RuleTheJungle
Rule The North
Rule The Playoffs pic.twitter.com/lurYB19dNz— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) January 10, 2022
However, his rookie season abruptly ended when he tore his ACL and MCL on his left knee.
Still, he bounced back a year later with a strong sophomore campaign.
After that devastating injury, bringing the Bengals to the postseason alone is a tremendous achievement.
But doing it with flair makes the feat more impressive.
This Saturday…the drought ends🐅 #WhoDey #RuleTheJungle pt. 1 pic.twitter.com/M1aH1mpCO3
— Wheels (@Wheels02) January 12, 2022
He led the league in completion percentage with 70.4 and surpassed that rate in eight of his games.
Burrow finished with 34 touchdown passes and failed to throw for a score in just one game.
He also ended the regular season on a solid note with consecutive games of at least 400 yards.
Week 17 against the Baltimore Ravens was his signature game with 37 completions for 525 yards and four touchdowns.
Joe Burrow has played 6 “have to have it games” in his career.
2019 LSU
Bama
Georgia (SEC title)
Oklahoma (semi)
Clemson (natty)2021 BENGALS
Ravens (Week 16)
Chiefs (Week 17)In those games:
6-0 W-L
2,669 Pass Yds (444/game)
27 TD
0 Int @PaulHembo 👊🏻— Dan Orlovsky (@danorlovsky7) January 12, 2022
His accomplishments would be nothing if he can’t lead the Bengals to playoff victories.
If he is a clutch performer, he must replicate greatness against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Repel The Raiders
Like the Bengals, the Raiders are coming into the postseason with utmost confidence.
But Cincinnati has a solid support group around Burrow with running back Joe Mixon and wide receivers Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
This Wild Card game can disappoint the Raiders if the Bengals fire from all cylinders.
However, Las Vegas is no easy foe because of Josh Jacobs, Darren Waller, and Hunter Renfrow.
First career playoff game for @DerekCarrQB and @JoeyB 🙌
Who moves on? #SuperWildCard
📺: #LVvsCIN – Saturday 4:30pm ET on NBC
📱: NFL app pic.twitter.com/hyHVXs6OK6— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2022
The Bengals’ offensive line must also account for Maxx Crosby, who had two sacks against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 18.
Yannick Ngakoue and Denzel Perryman can also disrupt Cincinnati’s plans.
The playoff atmosphere is a different beast, and Burrow must be ready for the test.
Winning against the Raiders will place him on the top tier of NFL quarterbacks.
NEXT: Joe Burrow Reveals His Status For Week 18
