Joe Burrow delivered the Bengals a stunning victory over the Broncos

“I don’t know how you can stand on that field and say Joe Burrow isn’t the best player in the world,” said Bengals’ head coach Zac Taylor after watching a masterclass performance from his quarterback. 

With Cincinnati’s season on the line and facing one of the best defenses in football that sacked him seven times, Joe Burrow basically won the game three different times for the Bengals (in regulation, after a missed field goal in overtime and the eventual game-winner). The best player on the planet put the team on his back and willed the Bengals to victory over the Denver Broncos. By doing so, Burrow keeps the Bengals postseason hopes alive.  

“You’re the best around. Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down.” 

“You’re the Best” by Joe Esposito 

Exhibit A as to who is the best around in professional football may be Burrow’s performance against Denver in a must-win game for Cincinnati. Burrow’s stat line against one of the league’s best defenses: 39 completions on 49 attempts for 412 passing yards, a 122.1 passer rating and 4 total touchdowns. This was while being under constant duress from the Broncos pass rush that had 7 sacks and 15 quarterback hits.  

Burrow delivered what should have been the game winning touchdown at the end of regulation when he engineered a 6-play, 59-yard drive that culminated with Burrow pushing his way into the endzone to take a 24-17 lead and celebrating with the “griddy.” 

Questionable play calling late in that drive, however, resulted in too much time remaining on the clock and the Broncos delivered a dagger via an incredible catch by Marvin Mims Jr. over two Bengal defenders on 4th down with 8 seconds remaining that extended the game into overtime. Burrow led the Bengals to the doorstep of victory again in overtime only to have kicker Cade York doink a 33-yard field goal attempt off the left upright.  

With time running out in overtime, the Bengals defense made a stop and gave Burrow and the offense another chance. Burrow delivered a beautiful deep pass down the left sideline to Tee Higgins for 31 yards that put Cincinnati in position at the 3-yard line. Burrow finally ended the game by finding Higgins again in the endzone to seal the victory. It was Higgins’ third touchdown of the game. 

By continuing to carry his team in this game and throughout the season, Burrow has put himself squarely in the NFL MVP conversation. Let’s discuss his resume: Burrow leads the NFL in passing yards (4,641) and TDs (42) against just 8 interceptions. 

Only two quarterbacks in league history have over 4,500 passing yards, over 40 passing touchdowns and fewer than 10 interceptions. Tom Brady in 2007 and Aaron Rodgers in 2011, both of whom won the NFL MVP in those seasons. 

Burrow is the only player in NFL history to ever manage at least 250 yards and 3 passing touchdowns in eight consecutive games. The longest previous streak of doing so had been five games. Burrow is having one of the greatest individual quarterback seasons the league has ever seen. What’s even more impressive is that he’s doing it the hard way without strong support from his offensive line, rushing game or defense. 

Let’s compare Burrow’s surrounding cast to the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen and the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, who are considered the front runners for the MVP award. Burrow’s Offensive Line Blocking Grade Rank (per Pro Football Focus) ranks 29th out of 32 teams in the league. By comparison, Allen’s OL Pass Blocking Grade ranks 5th and Jackson’s ranks 7th. 

Burrow has been sacked 44 times this season (5th worst in the league) while Jackson has been sacked only 23 times and Allen 14 times. Burrow’s passer rating under pressure is 104.5 while Jackson’s is 90.6 and Allen’s is 73.1. 

In terms of run game support, the Bengals PFF Rushing Grade ranks 27th while Jacksons is #1 in the NFL and Allen’s is #2. The abysmal performance of the Bengals’ defense all season has been well documented. The Bengals are 4th worst in the league in terms of points per game surrendered (26.1) while both the Ravens and Bills are in the league’s upper half. 

Let’s also discuss the kicking game. Twice this season, the Bengals have lost games to the Ravens and Chargers because the kicking game has failed to properly convert. The Bengals have a field goal percentage of 72.4%, which is 4th worst in the league. 

This year, Burrow has had to overcome bad offensive line protection, a terrible defense, subpar coaching at times and an awful kicking game. Yet, he’s got the Bengals in playoff contention. It is remarkable what Burrow is doing to elevate and carry his team. There is no player in the NFL today who is more valuable to their team’s success. 

Right now, Joe Burrow is the best football player on the planet and deserves to be the NFL MVP. 

“I’m still alive.” 

“Alive” by Pearl Jam 

In the NFL’s final regular season weekend of action, the AFC’s 7th and final playoff spot comes down to 3 teams: the Broncos (9-7), Dolphins (8-8) and Bengals (8-8). The Bengals need to win at Pittsburgh on Saturday night then have the Broncos lose to the Chiefs and the Dolphins lose to the Jets on Sunday afternoon. The Broncos control their own destiny.   

Should Burrow and the Bengals deliver their 5th consecutive win over the Steelers on Saturday, their hopes will rest on Carson Wentz—who will be quarterbacking the Chiefs in place of Patrick Mahomes—and the Jets’ Aaron Rodgers.   

Keep the Faith Bengals fans! Who-Dey?!!! 

Jon Bunch is an avid life-long Bengals fanatic. Raised in the 740. West Pointer, Army and Iraq War veteran. Passionate evangelist of the Who-Dey spirit. @WhoDeyBunch