NFL Using Batman Analogy To Promote Joe Burrow’s Return Does Not Sit Well With Fans – “3-8. Stay In The Cave”

Joe Burrow has been officially reinstated to the Cincinnati Bengals' 53-man roster and will start against the Baltimore Ravens.

NFL Using Batman Analogy To Promote Joe Burrow’s Return Does Not Sit Well With Fans – “3-8. Stay In The Cave”

NFL depicts Joe Burrow as Batman (Image via Cincinnati Bengals/X)

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Joe Burrow is set to return from the turf toe injury he suffered in late September. After initially being thought to be out for almost the remainder of the season, the quarterback has recovered enough to return to work.

After initially being activated to practice, the Iowa native was taking it slow. Even though he felt he was ready to play against the New England Patriots, head coach Zac Taylor felt it was better if his superstar QB took another 4 days’ rest.

When Burrow was speaking with reporters after practice yesterday, he talked about how, as a competitor, he felt the urge to go back out and compete, despite concerns about his health.

Many felt the team should not have allowed him to return, especially when they had a slim chance of making the playoffs with their 3-8 record.

Now the team has made it official and released a video showcasing his return as their starting quarterback. The league took one step further, and depicted Joe Burrow as Batman, and used the ‘The Dark Knight Returns’ analogy from the comic series.

They used a graphic showing the former LSU star wearing a dark suit, standing with his palm on a glass enclosure that contained his jersey, helmet, and shoes displayed on a mannequin.

Fans rip NFL for promoting Joe Burrow as Batman after toe injury

The NFL was merely trying to create some interest among fans as one of their most exciting quarterbacks was about to return. They used the Batman and The Dark Knight analogy to paint him as the Bengals’ savior amidst their dark days.

Even though the effort worked in the way they desired, the graphical representation also managed to draw the ire of fans. They felt the league was trying to milk Joe Burrow to increase viewership ratings.

They felt it was wrong of the league to promote him in such a manner, especially when the Bengals are struggling and might not make it to the playoffs. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Joe Burrow still believes there is a chance that he can help his team reach the playoffs. If it happens, it would be a brilliant storyline to market even further.

However, it still comes with considerable risk, as the QB could aggravate his injury, given the lack of protection he enjoys from his offensive line.

Not many are hopeful of Joe Burrow winning against Lamar Jackson and Ravens

Joe Burrow will return to play against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. As much as he would like to win, their opponents are no slouches and could destroy their chances of making the playoffs.

Joe Burrow and Bengals are not favored to win against Ravens
Joe Burrow and Bengals are not favored to win against Ravens (Image via Imago)

Their defense has played a lot better than it did in the initial few games. That is why most of the analysts on ESPN’s Get Up picked the Ravens to defeat the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving.

Only Mike Greenberg chose Burrow and his Bengals. After the recent spate of ESPN projections turning out to be wrong, the host thought it would be nice to go the opposite of what his colleagues decided.

Essentially, he did not do it as he believes in the Bengals, as Greenberg also seems to believe that their defensive struggles, coupled with the Ravens’ improvements, make this game a one-sided affair.

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