NFL
By: Jalen Willingham
As the Cincinnati Bengals sit at an impressive 11-4 record and the third seed in the AFC, quarterback Joe Burrow is making a strong case for the league’s Most Valuable Player award. Burrow, who recently earned his first career Pro Bowl nod, has thrown for an impressive 4,260 yards and a second-ranked 34 touchdowns this season. His passer rating of 102.3 is sixth in the NFL, and he ranks second in the league in yards per game (284), fourth in touchdown rate (6.0), and ninth in yards per attempt (7.6).
But it’s not just through the air that Burrow has made an impact. The third-year signal-caller has also added five rushing touchdowns to his tally, bringing his total touchdowns to 39, tied with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen for second in the league.
While current favorite Patrick Mahomes leads the league in total yards (5,041) and total touchdowns (41), Burrow still has a shot at the MVP award. With just two games remaining in the regular season, a strong performance in both contests could help him close the gap or even surpass Mahomes for the honor.
And in a thrilling matchup on Monday Night Football in Week 17, Burrow will face off against Allen in a game that will determine which teams secure a first-round bye and the playoff wild card matchups.
Burrow has consistently gotten better each year up to now. NFL fans should not be surprised to see the former Heisman winner and National Champion to be playing at such a high level.
If Burrow can lead the Bengals to victory and put up impressive numbers in the process, he could become the first Bengal since Boomer Esiason in 1988 to bring home the MVP award. Only two players have won MVP in the entire 55-year history of the Bengals.
With a chance to also make history as the all-time completion percentage leader with just 12 more passes, Burrow is poised to finish the season on a high note.
