CINCINNATI — Bengals quarterback Jake Browning and other players knew it was still time to stay locked in during the final game week of the season when a certain ailing player declared he was suiting up: Ja’Marr Chase.
Browning and offensive tackle Jonah Williams spoke on why this game still matters inside the locker room.
“Beginning of this week Ja’Marr says, ‘No, I’m playing.’ And everybody’s like, here we go. Let’s lock in. Let’s finish this thing right,” Browning said. “We’ve been battling, has been some ups and downs, dealt with a lot of adversity as a team and let’s just finish this thing positive. And you know, when we all are in the locker room after the game on Sunday, and hopefully we’ve won, then it’s like, alright, at least we got in on a high note. We didn’t accomplish going to the playoffs, but at least we got in on a high note and I think these are the kind of the games where I’m gonna remember that Ted Karras showed up today, and was dialed and super intense, just like this game meant everything in the world.”
Williams emphasized Cincinnati’s significance for the Battle of Ohio as well as the divisional rivalry.
“This is a rivalry game, and the city takes great pride in its sports.” This game is divisional. It’s Ohio vs. Ohio,” declared Williams. “It’s so significant to us as a team and to the people, the city, and the state, but it doesn’t mean as much as we would like it to right now in terms of the playoffs and all that stuff. Thus, we’re going to go forth, give it our all, and attempt to win.”
