Burrow’s toe injury crushes Cincinnati’s Super Bowl dreams for now, pushing Browning into the starting role and sending odds from 20-1 to 80-1. Taylor insists Browning can win games and contend for post-season glory, while the schedule pitchers a tough road ahead with multiple high-scoring defenses—yet several favorable matchups offer a real path to a late-season surge if Browning hits stride.

Predictions for Weeks 3–18 hinge on defense, turnover timing, and Browning’s past experience stepping in during 2023. If Cincinnati can steal a few key wins against leaky defenses—and Burrow isn’t needed for a playoff run—their postseason odds aren’t dead, just dramatically thinner.

With eight teams allowing 29+ PPG, the path remains plausible: the Bengals face Browns, Ravens (twice), Steelers (twice), Dolphins, Bears, Jets and others in a 15-game stretch. If Browning can navigate this slate and Cincinnati sneaks to 9-8 or similar, Burrow could return for a dramatic postseason push.