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Burrow debut filled with typical rookie jitters, but potential has Bengals excited
(Credit: NFL, Courtesy: MGN Online)

Burrow debut filled with typical rookie jitters, but potential has Bengals excited

CINCINNATI, Ohio (BVM) — Sunday was the dawn of a new era in Cincinnati. A moment that had been hyped up and spoken about for so long had finally arrived. Quarterback Joe Burrow, the 2019 Heisman winner and no.1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, and the hopeful savior of the Cincinnati Bengals franchise, was finally making his first professional start.

Nine months ago, the Bengals were a team in despair. Bad offense, worse defense and a lack of leaders was the recipe for a 2-14 season last year. Coming off a win over the division rival Cleveland Browns in the final game of the season, led by a huge day from running back Joe Mixon, there was at least a little sliver of hope. On top of that, everyone who knows anything about the NFL knew who the Bengals were taking no. 1 overall in April. Five months after the draft, the sliver of hope grew a little larger.

This Sunday, opening day in the NFL, Burrow was unquestionably the story of the day. Looking to be the first no. 1 overall drafted quarterback to win their first start since David Carr in 2002, all eyes were on the future star. 

Burrow, for most of the game against the Los Angeles Chargers, looked like a rookie. He threw one interception, on an attempted shovel pass to running back Giovani Bernard. He also threw a ball behind Mixon for a fumble. He missed a few relatively easy deep, sure touchdown passes to wide receivers AJ Green and John Ross in the 3rd quarter. Of course, in any athletes’ first start at the professional level, some things are bound to be shaky. In addition, Burrow had no preseason to iron out the kinks and the opening game was baptism by fire.

On the other hand, given the situation he was thrown into, Burrow looked much the part of a veteran. Though he spent most of the game running for his life from defensive end Joey Bosa and other members of the Chargers defensive line, he still managed to connect with eight different targets, passing for a total of 193 yards. Burrow’s highlight of the game came in the first quarter when he pulled the ball down for a designed QB run and scampered into the endzone for a 23-yard rushing touchdown, the first of his career. Following the game, Bengals head coach Zac Taylor revealed Burrow actually audibled the play at the line, which speaks to Burrow’s ability as a game manager. 

Burrow was unfazed when it mattered most, orchestrating a near game-winning drive. Down three points late in the game, Burrow led his team from its own 25 yard-line to the Chargers three yard-line in under three minutes. With seven seconds remaining, Burrow fired a perfectly placed pass to Green for a touchdown. Unfortunately for the Bengals, the play was called back due to a controversial offensive pass interference on Green. 

On the next play, the Cincinnati sports curse struck once again as Bengals kicker Randy Bullock missed the potential game-tying 31-yard field goal. 

Though Burrow was unable to win his first start, there is no denying he did all he could. Burrow’s performance earned high praise from his coaches and teammates, but it was not good enough for him. In fact, Burrow graded his performance as a D.

While Burrow may believe his performance was a D, Cincinnati fans used to a history of poor play, especially from the quarterback position, cannot help but feel excited about their new quarterback’s future prospects. With a high ceiling and all the intangibles in the world, Bengals fans hope that Burrow can turn in A-level performances for years to come.