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Week 18 of the NFL season is here, and some fantasy football leagues are still going. As such, it's critical to know the injury status of key players and prepare your lineups accordingly. Today we'll be taking a look at the Bengals and their franchise quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Bengals are the 2021 AFC North Champions, claiming the crown after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 thanks to a last-second field goal by Evan McPherson. With the win, Cincinnati locked up its first playoff berth since 2015, and it comes after the team completed the 2020-21 campaign with an underwhelming 4-11-1 record. Yet, the victory didn't come without a cost, as Joe Burrow sustained a right knee injury.
Is Joe Burrow playing this week, or will he sit out? If he doesn't play, how will that affect the Bengals offense? Let's take a look.
Is Joe Burrow Playing This Week Against The Browns?
Naturally, it is a concerning situation, primarily after the signal-caller tore his left ACL and MCL (among other damage) during the Week 11 meeting against the Washington Football Team last season. Fortunately, his current injury isn't the same knee that cost him a chunk of his inaugural year--and likely the Rookie of the Year award--so there were indeed sighs of relief in Southwest Ohio.
Nonetheless, with the Bengals cementing their postseason status, Burrow won't play in Week 18 versus the Browns to rest. The news came from the former LSU Tiger himself, which head coach Zac Taylor reiterated. As a result, those playing for a fantasy championship should undoubtedly make a move immediately, though Burrow's backup, Brandon Allen, certainly isn't the answer.
How Does Joe Burrow Impact the Bengals' Offense?
Without question, not having Burrow in the lineup isn't ideal. In only two seasons as a professional, the 25-year-old has already proven to be one of the league's very best, and he has the stats to back it up. He has 34 touchdown throws while amassing a 108.3 passer rating, a substantial increase from his rookie season.
The Bengals have one of the nastiest, most potent offenses in the entire league. It's no secret that having Burrow under center elevates the play of those around him. Joe Mixon, for example, is having a career year. It can be argued that without Burrow throwing the ball as well as he has, Mixon would get even more attention from opposing defenses, potentially lessening his fantasy impact. Tee Higgins has also had a fantastic season, and we've all seen what Ja'Marr Chase has accomplished, playing well beyond his years while already establishing himself as one of the best wideouts in the NFL.
Would Mixon, Higgins, and Chase be successful without Burrow? Probably. However, they likely wouldn't be as potent. Does that mean fantasy managers shouldn't start Higgins or Chase--assuming they play--against Cleveland? No. But there's a chance the pair could see a limited workload, and without their favorite quarterback on the field against Cleveland, the duo could suffer from a statistical standpoint.
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