George Harris
Dec 05, 2023 - 06:05

Jake Browning Bengals Jaguars 34-31 OT Trevor Lawrence injures ankle

Bengals stun Jaguars in OT, Trevor Lawrence injured, Jake Browning impresses, Jags lose key players, Bengals win 1st MNF game since 1990

The Cincinnati Bengals pulled off a stunning 34-31 overtime victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday night, thanks to a stellar performance from quarterback Jake Browning. This win marked the Bengals' first "Monday Night Football" victory since 1990, and it came on the heels of a game-ending 48-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.

The game took a potentially costly turn for the Jaguars when their quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, suffered a right ankle injury late in the fourth quarter. The injury occurred when Lawrence was sacked, causing him to twist his ankle. The loss of Lawrence was a major blow for the Jaguars, who had to rely on backup quarterback C.J. Beathard to finish the game.

Despite the injury, Lawrence had an impressive night, completing 22 of 29 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns, in addition to running for a score. On the Bengals side, Browning stepped in for star quarterback Joe Burrow and delivered a standout performance, throwing for 354 yards and a touchdown, while also running for a score.

The Bengals' victory was also fueled by standout performances from their other players, including Ja'Marr Chase, who caught 11 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, and Joe Mixon, who ran for 68 yards and two scores. Despite a few mishaps, including a bungled trick play, the Bengals finished with 491 yards and an 8-of-14 conversion rate on third down.

The game also marked the return of Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who had been out with a hamstring injury for a month. Higgins' return was a welcome sight for the Bengals, who celebrated his comeback with a choreographed dance in the end zone.

The victory was especially meaningful for Bengals head coach Zac Taylor, who evened the "Taylor Bro Bowl" standings with his brother Press, who serves as the Jaguars' offensive coordinator. The all-time series between the two brothers now stands at 2-2-1.

The game was not without its casualties, as the Jaguars lost several key players to injury, including receiver Christian Kirk and cornerback Tre Herndon. Despite the setbacks, the Bengals emerged victorious in a thrilling and hard-fought contest.