Jermaine Burton Could Be the Spark the Bengals Need in Week 13 Showdown vs. Bills
After a dominant 32-14 win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving, the Cincinnati Bengals are breathing new life into their playoff push. Joe Burrow’s return was the headliner, but the story runs deeper than just the quarterback. Cincinnati’s defense is clicking, the offense is finding its rhythm, and maybe most importantly, the team is getting meaningful contributions from some unexpected names.
Take Jalen Davis, for example. A longtime practice squad presence, Davis has stepped into the starting nickelback role and thrived.
Even defensive tackle McKinnley Jackson, who’s spent more time inactive than in pads, gave the Bengals quality snaps last week. It’s been that kind of stretch - where depth pieces are stepping up and making plays when it matters.
Now, heading into a high-stakes road matchup against the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals could use one more spark. And it might just be time for them to finally turn to Jermaine Burton.
Why Jermaine Burton?
With Tee Higgins sidelined due to a concussion on Thanksgiving, Cincinnati gave Mitch Tinsley a shot in the starting lineup. While Tinsley has shown flashes in limited action, he struggled to get in sync with Burrow against Baltimore. That’s not an indictment of his talent - it’s just the reality of a young receiver still finding his footing.
But Burton? He brings a different level of explosiveness.
If not for off-field issues that have lingered since his college days, there’s a good chance he wouldn’t have slipped to the third round of the draft. His raw talent is first-round caliber, and when he’s gotten opportunities, the results have been eye-opening - even if the sample size is small.
He’s only caught four passes this season, but they’ve gone for 107 yards. That’s a staggering 26.8 yards per catch - a number that screams “big play threat.” And with the Bengals preparing to face Josh Allen and the NFL’s top-ranked pass defense, having another weapon who can stretch the field might not just be helpful - it could be essential.
The Matchup Demands Firepower
Let’s be clear: Cincinnati’s defense has been trending in the right direction. But Josh Allen is a different kind of challenge.
He’s the kind of quarterback who can turn a broken play into a 50-yard gain in the blink of an eye. Even the best-laid game plans often fall short against him.
That means this game could very well turn into a shootout - and if that’s the case, the Bengals will need every ounce of offensive firepower they can muster. Assuming Higgins clears protocol and returns to action, Cincinnati will have its top two receivers in Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase on the field.
That’s a strong foundation. But behind them, the depth gets murky.
Andrei Iosivas has struggled with drops throughout the season. Tinsley, as mentioned, is still growing into the role. Burton, on the other hand, brings an element of unpredictability - the kind of player who might only need one target to flip a game on its head.
It’s Time to Find Out What Burton Can Do
At this point in the season, the Bengals can’t afford to leave playmakers on the sideline. Burton may not be a polished product yet, but he doesn’t need to be.
What he offers is a vertical threat who can punish defenses that overcommit to stopping Chase and Higgins. With Buffalo likely to key in on those two, Burton could find himself in favorable matchups - and he has the speed and ball skills to capitalize.
Is it risky to lean on a player with just 14 targets in his NFL career? Sure.
But the reward could be game-changing. And with the postseason hanging in the balance, Cincinnati has every reason to take that chance.
The Bengals have already shown they’re willing to trust guys who haven’t had much time in the spotlight - and it’s paying off. Davis, Jackson, and others are proving that when opportunity knocks, they can answer. Now it’s Burton’s turn.
The Bengals need a jolt. They need a playmaker who can tilt the field.
Jermaine Burton might just be that guy. And if he is, there’s no better time to find out than in a must-win game against one of the AFC’s elite.
The moment is here. Let’s see what Burton can do.