Bengals QB Joe Burrow has never had a better game wasted in his NFL career than the loss he just took

When the quarterback plays well, the team usually wins.

The Cincinnati Bengals have leaned on this simple causality for the entirety of Joe Burrow's young career. It's what got them to a Super Bowl and AFC Championship game in back-to-back years.

The one time it didn't work was Monday night against the Washington Commanders, and it's never been this shocking.

While his defense was failing every chance they had to get the Commanders off the field, Burrow was having one of the best games he's played in a while. He ended the night with 324 passing yards and three touchdowns while completing 29 of 38 attempts. He still ended up on the losing side with the lower passer rating, yards per attempt, completion percentage, and EPA/play in the quarterback duel with rookie Jayden Daniels. 

Daniels' miraculous fourth-down heave put Washington up 38-26 with just over two minutes remaining, giving Burrow one last drive of desperation. Burrow entered the possession with 273 yards through the air and three touchdowns on 24-31 passing. That gave him 8.8 yards per attempt and a completion percentage of 77%. Three touchdowns to zero interceptions also looks clean on the box score.

Entering Week 3, Burrow had five games in his Bengals career with a yards per attempt of 8.0 or greater, a completion percentage of 70% or greater, and at least three touchdowns with no picks. 

Monday night (with or without garbage time) was the sixth time, and the first time the Bengals have lost with that kind of performance. 

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The formula has never had to factor in the defense stinking up a storm. Such a variable hasn't really existed since defensive coordinator Lou Anarmuo matched his scheme with the proper personnel a few years back.

That personnel couldn't stop a soul Monday night, and it made a great game from Burrow irrelevant in the grand scheme of things. It even has Burrow pondering how he can grow as a leader going forward.

"There will be some critical thinking that I'll have to do to see what kind of leader I want to be going forward," Burrow said. "What I feel like the team needs from me going forward."

He can't lead the offense and the defense, unfortunately. The Bengals have several problems to go with their 0-3 record, but Burrow is far from one of them. 

Cincinnati can not afford this to become a trend if an improbable turnaround is to occur this season.