Joe Burrow, Bengals’ Super Bowl run after devastating knee injury has been ‘complete shock’ to ex-NFL star

LOS ANGELES – The Cincinnati Bengals’ run to the Tremendous Bowl has been one of many extra magical journeys in current reminiscence and has come as a shock to some – even former NFL star Carson Palmer.

Led by quarterback Joe Burrow, the Bengals completed the season with wins in three out of their remaining 4 video games and got here away with three-point victories within the divisional and convention championship rounds. Burrow is in solely his second season and is acting at a excessive degree even after tearing his ACL and MCL in his knee in the course of his rookie season.

Palmer advised Fox Information Digital in a current interview he was shocked by Burrow’s turnaround and the quick success Cincinnati has had behind him.

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“I don’t assume anyone predicted this earlier than the season began, particularly due to how unhealthy they have been final yr and since Joe was coming off rehabbing his knee and wasn’t going to be 100%. However he’s proven no indicators of wear and tear and tear, he’s proven no indicators of slowing down. It looks as if each time he steps on the sphere, he will get a bit bit higher,” Palmer mentioned. 

“He will get a bit bit extra confidence in his knee, and he’s capable of step within the throws and take off and use his toes like he did within the AFC Championship, towards the Chiefs. He had two big third-down conversions that he received along with his legs and broke a sort out on one among them. Simply utterly shocked that they’re right here. Simply wanting on the method the season began off, going 10-7, and the way in which final season ended with Joe on the sidelines on crutches. It’s been a whole shock.”

Cincinnati is making its first Tremendous Bowl look because the 1988 season however its offense isn’t as good because it might sound. Burrow was sacked 51 occasions, most within the league. The Bengals’ offensive line has one among its hardest assignments but – shield Burrow from guys like Aaron Donald and Von Miller.

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“That cross rush was so fierce. I don’t assume you possibly can simply sit again and drop, five-step drops, seven-step drops and assume you’re going to dam Aaron Donald. They’ve received to get artistic. And that’s one factor they’ve been all through the playoffs is that they’ve been artistic how they’ve gotten Ja’Marr Chase the ball, however motioning and shifting and shifting round. Not letting their No. 1 nook line up on their No. 1 receiver,” Palmer mentioned.

“I believe they received to proceed to try this. They received discover methods to get the ball to Ja’Marr fast, get the ball out of Joe’s fingers fast and never simply hold him sitting within the pocket. In some unspecified time in the future, Von Miller goes to get house, sooner or later Aaron Donald goes to get house. In order that they’ve received to be artistic to not let it occur.”

Palmer, who performed for the Bengals from 2004 to 2010, talked about Bengals operating again Joe Mixon as a possible X-factor within the recreation.

“Clearly, Ja’Marr is the focus of their offense and the focus of the Rams’ protection – they received to be centered on that,” Palmer advised Fox Information Digital. “To ensure that the Bengals to win this recreation, Joe Mixon has to make one thing occur. They’re not going to have wide-open holes that he’s going to have the ability to run downhill via. He’s received to interrupt tackles, he’s received to make guys miss. He’s received to have a very large impression.”

Palmer mentioned the Rams’ protection could also be an excessive amount of to beat for Cincinnati to drag this one out.

“I believe it’s going to be shut. I don’t know if they’ve sufficient magic left. I imply, what they’ve completed to get right here, it’s been a shock. There’s a lot expertise on that LA Rams workforce. There’s a lot depth. There’s a lot star energy. There’s game-changers,” he mentioned. 

“Jalen Ramsey can change the sport in a single interception for a landing. Aaron Donald can change the sport in a single sack. Von Miller has taken over a Tremendous Bowl (previously). They’ve so many game-changing, game-wrecking gamers all over the place. There’s so many gamers in that protection, and it’s robust to beat.”

Palmer retired from the NFL in 2017 after taking part in 5 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. He advised Fox Information Digital he’s been working with Degree Choose CBD to assist him preserve a wholesome and energetic life-style in his post-playing profession. The three-time Professional Bowler mentioned if CBD was extra available he thinks it could’ve helped him get well from the day-to-day soreness.

“It will have eased the aches and pains for certain. I don’t know what number of extra years it could’ve gotten me, however little question simply the constant soreness you will have from a Sunday recreation, from a Wednesday apply, simply the soreness you will have each day. It will have eased loads,” he mentioned.