It’s been quite the up and down season for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals. They started 0-3, including an egregious loss to the New England Patriots in week 1. Until week 14, the Bengals limped to a 4-6 record, including losses in five one-score games. Since then, Joe Burrow and company have compiled four consecutive wins, but we all know they shouldn’t even be in this situation. The defense has been historically bad, ranking 28th in the league. In years past, the Bengals defense has been a hallmark in their winning ways, but injuries have marred the 2024. There has been one constant though, and his name is Joe Burrow.
Jor Burrow Has Played Like an MVP
With the exception of the first game of the season, Burrow has been a monster. Since week 2, Joe Burrow has thrown for 4,477 yards, 42 TDs and 8 INTs. He has completed 70% of his passes and has a 110.7 QB rating. He really has been nothing short of absolutely remarkable. To put it in perspective, his other MVP competition, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, have put up respectable, but lesser numbers. Allen has enjoyed a nice season, putting up a collective 3,731 yards, 28 TDs and 6 INTs, less than Burrow with one more week added. Jackson has 3,955 yards, 39 TDs and 4 INTs. Seeing as Joe Burrow has had to throw the football more, I find Burrow to be more valuable.
How Joe Burrow Can Win the MVP
Lamar Jackson is the definite front-runner for the MVP award. The Ravens have an 11-5 record, and can clinch the division in week 18. Josh Allen is the next man up, and the Bills have already clinched their division at 13-3 and locked up the AFC’s #2 seed. The question for Joe Burrow would be how he can win the award. The Bengals need a bit of help still along with helping themselves. Of course, Cincinnati needs to defeat Pittsburgh in the final week, but they also need Miami to lose to the Jets, plus they need to root for Kansas City (gross, I know) to beat Denver. While getting help, Burrow is going to need to ball out against a very good Pittsburgh defense.
Regardless of whether Cincinnati makes the playoffs, Joe Burrow should be in consideration for the MVP award. Burrow is only the 12th QB in NFL history to throw for 4,000 yards and 40 TDs in a single season. He joined names on that list like Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes and Russell Wilson with his performance this year. There is still work to be done for the Bengals, but making the playoffs would be a great case for Burrow to win the MVP, as he will be seen as the QB who pulled his team from the land of the dead and directed them to the playoffs. Only one team since 2000 and six since 1979 have made the playoffs after starting 0-3. The only team to win a playoff game after starting 0-3 is the 1992 San Diego Chargers. If the Bengals were to make it and make a run in the playoffs, they would join very slim company.
Final Word
Should Joe Burrow be in the MVP conversation? Absolutely. Have the Bengals put themselves in a precarious position this season? Absolutely, but that shouldn’t disqualify Burrow from consideration. It is called the ‘Most Valuable‘ for a reason. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what Joe can do in week 18.
