LANDOVER, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 22: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals warms up prior to the game against the Washington Football Team at FedExField on November 22, 2020 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
Joe Burrow is just like you and me, except he’s an Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback on the mend.
Burrow was a legend at LSU, putting together perhaps the best offensive season we’ve ever seen. He parlayed that success into being the No. 1 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals — essentially his hometown team — and starting the year as the go-to signal-caller. Unfortunately, fairy tales aren’t reality.
The 24-year-old suffered a midseason ACL and MCL tear, and will be forced out well into next season. In his absence, the Bengals have turned to the likes of Ryan Finley, and let’s just say we can tell the difference. Burrow was playing like a Pro Bowl-caliber rookie, with 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Being forced to watch this game from home like the rest of us, Burrow isn’t thrilled.
We all wish you were playing too, Joe
Well, perhaps Steelers fans feel differently. Pittsburgh is struggling with Finley and the Bengals, and if Burrow were in tow rather than stuck watching from home, this game might have a far different outlook.
Ben Roethlisberger has aged tremendously over the past few weeks, and the first quarter of Monday Night Football hasn’t looked much different. While the Bengals were initially seen as a tune-up game for Pittsburgh, it’s proven to be anything but that, and it might be panic time for Mike Tomlin and Co. if they can’t defeat their 2-10-1 rival.