The MVP for the NFL is a prestigious award. In most cases it does end up going to a quarterback and there were plenty that raised eyebrows in a good way. A lot of the talk will be about Lamar Jackson and deservedly so. He has thrown for 3,955 yards, while throwing 39 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Also, he is the all time rushing leader for a quarterback in NFL

History and has 852 on the ground. The next best case is Josh Allen, who saw his top target get traded and still is getting the job done. He has 28 touchdowns, with also 12 rushing touchdowns. He’s a huge part of the Bills success. But there is a player that deserves the MVP and his name is Joe Burrow.

Joe Burrow DESERVES the MVP

Nobody can help the team he plays on. The Cincinnati Bengals are not a bad team, but they struggled mightily defensively. They sit 29th in points allowed (417), have the sixth fewest sacks, and just have not been the strongest defensive unit. With that being said, Burrow has had to play near flawless football in order to win games and he’s nearly done that this season. Also, he’s arguably been the best quarterback this year across the league.

If the Bengals had a better record, then people are talking more about Burrow the same way they are talking about Allen and Jackson. Burrow not only has been the MVP for the Bengals, but the league.

Just saw Joe Burrow drop to his knees in Paycor Stadium

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/qiK5Wl2O62

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 22, 2024

Burrow leads the league in pass yards with 4,641, which is 243 more than the next closest player. He has also thrown the most touchdowns (42) and has only eight interceptions. Sure, he has Jamar Chase, who leads the league in receiving touchdowns, while also has another elite number one in Tee Higgins, but Burrow finds ways to make things happen on the football field.

For the Bengals to be in the position they are in, they needed Burrow to be at his best and he certainly was. Throughout the course of the season, Burrow threw 3 or more touchdowns in ten of the 16 games. The worst part? The Bengals lost half of those games, which should not happen when you have a performance like that. His highest touchdown output was a game against the Baltimore Ravens (5 TDs), and the Bengals lost. He also tossed four more in the second game against Baltimore, also losing. When you have a defense that cannot stop a nosebleed, your quarterback needs to be at his best and Burrow certainly has been.

Also, he has thrown three or more touchdowns in eight straight games, further cementing his case. He is joining an elite company of history if he can win it this season.

Burrow is Having a Historic Season

The stuff on the surface doesn’t do it enough justice. On top of throwing 3 touchdowns or more in ten games this season, he’s also thrown 250+ passing yards in ten games this season. There was only one player ever to have done that in NFL history and his name was Peyton Manning. Coincidentally, Manning also won the MVP that season (2013). Nobody expected Manning to have that season and it was arguably one of the best seasons ever by a quarterback. To refresh everyone’s memory, Manning threw for 5,477 yards, 55 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also finished with a QBR of 115.1, which was his highest since 2004. The company he is keeping is truly elite and it only gets better.

To be in the same company as Manning speaks volumes, as Manning was one of the best to ever play the position. He now joins two more quarterbacks that are regarded as some of the best to play the position as well. Given the stats Burrow is putting up, the only two players ever to have 4,500 pass yards, 40 touchdowns, and fewer than ten interceptions are Aaron Rodgers (2011) and Tom Brady (2007). That’s it, that’s the list. Coincidentally once again, they both won the MVP in those respective seasons.

Rodgers threw 4,643 yards, with 45 touchdowns and six interceptions. So Burrow is already going to eclipse Rodgers in yards and needs one more three touchdown performance to tie him. Brady threw for 4,806 yards and 50 touchdowns to his eight interceptions. Burrow needs 165 yards to tie Brady in that regard. If Burrow threw eight touchdowns in the final week of the season the internet would explode. Regardless, Burrow is on track to be right on their level and should join that list of company to winning the MVP. There’s also one more reason he should win the MVP.

Dragging Them to the Playoffs

We’ve touched on it all. The Bengals defense being poor and Burrow having to play near flawless football to win. Yes he has some of the most talented receivers to throw to in the entire league, but as it currently stands the Bengals are not in the playoffs.

As it currently stands, the Bengals are on the outside looking in and have a must win game Saturday against the Steelers who have already clinched a playoff spot. The goal is to win and then have the Denver Broncos lose. If Burrow not only can have another MVP like performance Saturday, but can also drag the Bengals into the playoffs; hand him the MVP after the games conclude on Sunday.

Joe Burrow was straight up when asked about the MVP race pic.twitter.com/dAM5rsnz7k

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) January 1, 2025

Joe Burrow came ready to play this season. He has been playing MVP football for majority of the season and if the Bengals had a better record people would be talking about it more. It shouldn’t be, Burrow should be doing more for the Bengals, it’s the Bengals should be doing more for Burrow.

Jackson and Allen are great, but Burrow should be the one taking home the hardware.