The Cincinnati Bengals have their own version of superheroes

Marvel Comics has its superheroes. The Cincinnati Bengals have theirs.

It all started when Joe Burrow bought a limited edition Batmobile from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight film series. Once word spread, some in the media began referring to Burrow as “Batman.” But not for long, because receiver Tee Higgins has come up with a new nickname.

Early in Sunday’s win over the Browns, Burrow was fighting his way out of the pocket when he was tripped by one of his own linemen. As Burrow fell to the ground, he managed to find Higgins open in the end zone for a two-yard touchdown pass that capped a 98-yard drive that had everyone shaking their heads.

“The one he threw to me, not because it’s my touchdown. The mother looked like Superman when he threw,” Higgins said when asked about the play. “That’s why from today on I’ll call him Superman. F— Batman. Superman. A damn good player.”

A few minutes later, Burrow evaded several Cleveland rushers to keep the game alive before throwing a no-look pass over his left shoulder to tight end Drew Sample, giving him a 12-yard gain.

“The non-looker was crazy,” Higgins said. “I run down the field, I look back (makes a throwing motion over his shoulder without looking) . . . He’s a damn good player, you never know. He surprises us every week.”

But if Burrow is Superman, who makes up Higgins and his comrade Ja’Marr Chase?

Chase is the easy way. The defensive backs he competes against week in and week out have made sure of that.

“Usually they just say, ‘You’re a strong B son,'” Chase says. “I’ve heard that a few times this year.”

So let’s call him Invincible, an alien-human hybrid who has superhuman abilities. His potential for strength, speed, and endurance exceeds that of a normal human, and he can continually improve these qualities through self-discipline.

All that’s left is Higgins himself. That was a little more difficult, but I finally decided on Iron Man. Intelligence is Tony Stark’s greatest strength and it knows no limits, just like his suits. In his Iron Man armor, Tony Stark has superhuman strength and superhuman speed, allowing him to outmaneuver agile opponents.

In his nearly five years in a Bengals uniform, Higgins has displayed all of these traits (perhaps without the superhuman part) and more. He battled injuries in two 1,000-yard seasons despite playing in the shadow of his more celebrated vice president. Despite missing seven games due to injury, Higgins rushed for 727 yards on 58 catches this year and tied his career high with seven touchdowns.

Regardless of whether the Bengals make the playoffs this year or not, Burrow, Chase and Higgins have earned every accolade and nickname we can think of. Now it’s time to find them the buddies they deserve to help make this whole team a second coming of the X-Men.

Stay tuned.