Entering week 18 of the NFL season, the AFC playoff race has heated up significantly as the Broncos, Bengals, and Dolphins, are all fighting for the final spot. Despite the drama, the Broncos look to have the easiest path as they will likely be playing the Chiefs backups in their playoff-clinching week 18 matchup. This would leave the Bengals out of the playoffs for the second straight year, despite the historic quarterbacking season Joe Burrow is having. On pace for 5000 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, and under 10 interceptions, Burrow is leading the league in every important quarterback statistic. Despite all this, Burrow is not the MVP favorite as he trails behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen.
This is a very unprecedented situation as the Bengals have the best offense in the league. Yet, their historically bad season is costing them a playoff spot and Burrow an MVP. So far, the Bengals have six losses when scoring 25+ points which has never happened before. Given an average defense, the Bengals would be vying for the one seed in the AFC, instead, however, they are fighting to even qualify for the playoffs. Although there are many other reasons for their underachieving record such as starting the season slow, poor coaching, and injuries, the defense has taken the most significant blame.
Now on a four-game win streak with a rejuvenated defense, MVP talks for Burrow have been heating up. Historically, Drew Brees is the only quarterback in NFL history not to win MVP when passing for 45 or more touchdowns (and he only lost it because Aaron Rodgers passed for even more). Looking at the other two candidates Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen, they are both also having historic seasons, however, they have help as both their team’s defenses are top ten in the league. Ultimately, if Burrow were given Buffalo or Baltimore defense, not only would they be the best team in the NFL, but he would also be a unanimous MVP.
If the NFL truly gives the MVP award to the league’s most valuable player, Burrow would be the perfect candidate. First off, the MVP is an individual award, not a team award. Additionally, the Bengals are proving that wins are not a quarterback exclusive statistic. If you replace Burrow with a league average quarterback, the Bengals would be lucky enough to win three games. If you apply the same conditions to Baltimore or Buffalo, both teams would remain as playoff contenders. Burrow is the definition of the Most Valuable Player.
Ultimately, Burrow is not only having the best quarterbacking season this year, he’s having one of the greatest individual seasons in the history of the NFL. If the Bengals pull off the most unlikely comeback and qualify for the playoffs, it would be a league failure to not give the MVP to Burrow.
Third Down With Devin 