The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL The Week 2 Hangover: Joe Burrow's injury, Falcons run over Vikings, and more sad voicemails
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Sep 16, 2025 In this engaging discussion, the implications of Joe Burrow's toe injury on the Bengals’ season take center stage. The hosts also recap a surprising Falcons victory over the Vikings, spotlighting standout performers like Bijan Robinson. Listeners' sad voicemails reveal frustrations from Jaguars and Bears fans, shedding light on the struggles of both teams. The conversation dives into strategic quarterback performances across the league, as well as the evolving dynamics from Week 2, leaving listeners speculating about what’s next.
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Burrow Out For Months, Team Ceiling Drops
- Joe Burrow is expected to have surgery for turf toe with a roughly three-month recovery timeline.
- The Bengals will likely rely on Jake Browning to keep them competitive through December, drastically lowering the team's ceiling.
Backup QB Can't Fully Replace Elite Starter
- Even a very capable backup narrows the gap versus an elite starter and forces a team to play with a smaller margin for error.
- Cincinnati's defensive issues mean Jake Browning must frequently produce high-point outputs to keep the team afloat.
Lean On Defense And Special Teams
- Rely on defense and special teams to offset an offensive downgrade when your starter is injured.
- Manage expectations and treat each game as high-variance while the backup handles a tough schedule.