Vikings Will Face Jake Browning, Not Joe Burrow, in Week 15

The Vikings' remaining schedule just got a bit easier. Instead of facing Joe Burrow when they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals in Week 15, they'll be going against his backup — former Viking Jake Browning. Burrow has been announced as out for the remainder of this season with the wrist injury he suffered on Thursday night against the Ravens.

That's obviously a huge blow for the Bengals, who fell to 5-5 on TNF but would've still been contenders with a healthy Burrow. Unlike the Vikings, whose starting quarterback got hurt before the trade deadline, they don't have the option to now acquire someone like Josh Dobbs. Cincy has no choice but to roll with Browning, whose backup is A.J. McCarron.

Browning was solid in relief of Burrow on Thursday, completing 8 of 14 passes for 68 yards and a garbage time touchdown to Ja'Marr Chase. He also ran four times for 40 yards. The former Washington Huskies standout signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and was in Minnesota until being waived in August 2021. There was a famous night practice during training camp in '21 when Browning was the only available quarterback because Kirk Cousins, Kellen Mond, and Nate Stanley were in the COVID protocols.

He's an adequate backup, but he's also a massive step down from a star like Burrow.

This is the list of quarterbacks the Vikings will face the rest of the season as they look to make a push towards the Lions in the NFC North.

Week 11, Broncos: Russell Wilson
Week 12, Bears: Justin Fields
Week 14, Raiders: Aidan O’Connell
Week 15, Bengals: Jake Browning
Week 16, Lions: Jared Goff
Week 17, Packers: Jordan Love
Week 18, Lions: Jared Goff

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