It is evident that a healthy Joe Burrow instantly puts the Cincinnati Bengals in AFC North title position. Burrow’s health has been a shaky topic since his early days in the NFL and even when he was a prolific quarterback at LSU. The 27-year-old quarterback when healthy is one of the best in all of the National Football League and if he can find a way to stay upright, the AFC North Divisional title could be theirs.

Ever since coming into the league in 2020, Burrow has propelled the Bengals to new heights. Before his arrival, head coach Zac Taylor and the organization had a 2-14 record, which gave the team the opportunity to draft Burrow as their franchise quarterback.

In his first season at the helm, he led the Bengals personally to a 2-7-1 record, starting 10 games. The overall team finished with a 4-11-1 record and missed the playoffs. Burrow had a respectable touchdown to interception ratio 13 to 5.

The following season everything changed for the Bengals. It was like the curse was lifted when a team that had not won a playoff game since 1990 won their Wildcard matchup 26-19 against the Raiders. The Divisional Round was a hard fought defensive battle versus a very stingy Tennessee Titans team and Burrow and company won 19-16. In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs and phenom quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Burrow excelled going 23 for 38 – 250 passing yards – 2 touchdowns to 1 interception. The Bengals punched their ticket to the Super Bowl and eventually lost 23-20 to the Los Angeles Rams.

Burrow has a knack for winning football games and he even took a franchise that has not won a playoff game in 30 years to the Super Bowl in his second season as the franchise quarterback. Since then he has battled with injuries that has made him miss significant time. Just last season the Bengals were sitting at 5-4 and lost Burrow to a season ending wrist injury. At the time, the Bengals had a shot at the AFC North title but that slowly faded as the season progressed.

Even though I am a Steelers fan, I can appreciate a fully healthy AFC North football team. When the Steelers, Bengals, Browns, and Ravens have their key players healthy and face off, it is certainly a physical matchup that will come down to the wire.

It is as simple as the title suggests, the Bengals’ AFC North Title hopes hinge on Burrow’s health. If he stays healthy for a full season, expect a playoff berth and more victories for the franchise. An AFC North filled with healthy quarterbacks and key players is my wish as we head into this season. If this occurs, not only are football fans every where going to see it on this year’s Hard Knocks, but it will make for an intense season finale as all four teams fight for the AFC North Divisional Title and a playoff berth.