With only six weeks left in the season, the 2024 NFL MVP race is heating up with contenders such as the Buffalo Bills’ QB Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff and Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley among the top contenders for the coveted prize.
One MVP candidate that we didn’t yet mention who is currently playing some of the best football of his life is Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who is currently on pace to break his own records for passing yards, completions, attempts and touchdowns, but whose team, after going 9-8 in 2023, 12-4 in 2022 and 10-7 in 2021 with Burrow at the helm (making the playoffs in 2021 and 2022) currently holds a record of 4-7, with a 1-4 record at home in Paycor Stadium.
Notwithstanding, head coach Mike Tomlin, who has helped lead his Pittsburgh Steelers to an AFC North best 8-3 record this season, isn’t taking Burrow and the Bengals lightly this Sunday when the two teams clash in Cincinnati. In fact, Tomlin thinks Burrow is playing at a level worthy of the Most Valuable Player, despite what the Bengals’ record is.
“If you look at the tape, he’s MVP-caliber in terms of what he’s doing for them,” Tomlin told reporters of Burrow, who leads the NFL with 27 touchdown passes this season.
Tomlin was particularly impressed with how Burrow and the Bengals offense have fared against division rivals the Baltimore Ravens this season. Though they’ve lost both matchups, Burrow has thrown for a combined 820 yards, 9 TDs and only one interception against the Ravens, a proficiency that Tomlin and the Steelers defense are hoping to stymie.
Tomlin added, “It’s just kind of a reflection what he and they are capable of.”
The Steelers, who suffered an upset loss last week against the Cleveland Browns, 24-19, are looking to bounce back this week against Burrow and the Bengals.
“We’ve gotta carry enough defense schematically,” Tomlin added, “but within that, we better perform at a high enough level. [We] better do a lot of things.”
Former NFL offensive lineman and current analyst Kyle Long thinks that Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ overpowering offense will prove to be a test too strong for the Steelers this week.
“The Steelers, I just think it’s kind of been fool’s gold,” Long said on CBS Sports HQ on Tuesday. “I know they’re a tough team, I know that Tomlin’s a tough coach, but at the end of the day what do we say about this team? They’re good at being above average, they’re well-coached and they’re gonna be outmatched by a country mile at the quarterback position.”
So far this season, Joe Burrow has thrown for 3028 yards, with 27 TDs, 4 INTs and a completion rate of 67.2%.
Do you agree with Mike Tomlin that Joe Burrow is playing at an ‘MVP-caliber’ level this season? Are the Steelers prepared to contain Burrow and the Bengals? Let us know in the comments.
