Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) celebrates after the game-winning touchdown pass to Tee Higgins in overtime of the NFL Week 17 game between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bengals HC suggests Joe Burrow is best player in world

By Adam Gretz | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 11:02 AM ET

The 2024 NFL MVP race has mostly been an argument between Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson.

But if the Cincinnati Bengals find a way to sneak into the playoffs, there is going to be quite a push for Joe Burrow to be in that discussion. Honestly, he probably should be, even if the Bengals do not get in, because there might not be anybody on the planet playing the game at a higher level than him right now.

His head coach, Zac Taylor, agrees with that and made it very clear after Saturday's 30-24 overtime win against the Denver Broncos to keep their playoff hopes alive for another week.

“I don't know that anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and say he's not the best player in the world," Taylor said.

Zac Taylor: “I don't know that anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and say he's not the best player in the world...” pic.twitter.com/jeZtRHxuiG
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2024

After Saturday's win, where Burrow threw for 412 yards and three touchdowns (while running for another), he leads the NFL with 4,641 passing yards and 42 passing touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions.

He has also thrown at least three touchdowns in an incredible eight consecutive games.

By every objective measure, it is an elite season and worthy of MVP consideration. But because the Bengals are not a lock to make the playoffs and will enter Week 18 not only needing a win but also a lot of help on Sunday and next week, he is not likely to get the same MVP consideration that players like Allen and Jackson will.

In the end, Burrow fits every definition of the most valuable. There is a strong argument to be made he is playing football better than anybody else in the league. So, if you believe the MVP should simply go to the best player, it might be him. He is also the only reason the Bengals are even within striking distance of a playoff spot, and if they get in, it will be entirely on his arm. Given the inconsistent nature of the offensive line and the fact the Bengals have one of the worst defenses in football, this would probably only be a four-or five-win team with an average quarterback.

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on Twitter @AGretz

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