Joe Burrow has Bengals on the verge of greatness

Dominating. That’s what the young Bengals offense can be when it is in rhythm like we saw Sunday against Baltimore.

The sophomore signal caller completed 19-of-23 passes for 319 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions when targeting Ja’Marr Chase and Tyler Boyd. Those two pass-catchers have been integral to Burrow’s success as a second-year player.

All of this came within the confines of a game that saw Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon tally a mere 65 yards on the ground. For Burrow, it’s all about doing whatever is necessary to come away with a win. Whether that’s throwing for 157 yards in a win over the Denver Broncos last week or having to throw for north of 500 yards, it really doesn’t matter.

“You know, I really don’t think about the yards too much,” Joe Burrow told reporters following the game. “Whatever it takes to win the game. Today, it took throwing for 525 yards.”

That’s the mentality a 25-year-old quarterback with a record-breaking history in college with LSU must have in order to take that next step. Remember, Burrow and Chase teamed up with the Tigers for a perfect 15-0 record back in 2019.

We’re talking about two of the best young players at their positions in the NFL. We’re also talking about two of the most-important positions in today’s pass-first league.

• Joe Burrow stats: 4,165 yards, 31 touchdowns, 14 interceptions

While Burrow leads the NFL in interceptions, his ability to throw the ball deep and take chances is what separates him from other young signal callers outside of Justin Herbert.

All of this coincides with Chase likely earning NFL Offensive Rookie of the year honors in 2021.

• Ja’Marr Chase stats: 68 receptions, 1,163 yards, 10 touchdowns

This type of connection can help an otherwise unproven team play at a high level once the playoffs come calling.

As for Burrow and the Bengals, they really are in the driver's seat in the AFC North. This would enable a young squad to actually host a playoff game, changing the dynamics in a big way.

And in reality, it’s not merely all about the skill-position players. Led by free-agent signing Trey Hendrickson (14 sacks), Cincinnati’s defense entered Week 16 having yielded the 11th-fewest points in the NFL.

As we saw against Baltimore, this unit is far from elite. However, it doesn’t need to be with the way Cincinnati’s offense is now rolling under Burrow.

With games coming up against the Chiefs and Browns to close out the regular season, it won’t be easy for the Bengals. But if we see this iteration of the Bengals over the next two weeks and into the postseason, no other AFC team will want to play them. Burrow made sure of that against Baltimore.