3 key observations of Joe Burrow from Week 5 vs. Packers

Five weeks are in the books for the Cincinnati Bengals, and only the most blindly optimistic among us (looking at all four of you), thought the Bengals would be sporting a winning record.

Despite all the trepidation surrounding Joe Burrow’s knee, Zac Taylor’s ability to coach, and Lou Anarumo’s ability to call a defense, The Bengals now sit at three wins and two losses, with both of those losses being games that could’ve/should’ve been won.

Despite the temptation to dream about 5-0 and lament the small miscues that have cost two losses, we need to look at the positives and be optimistic, nay confident, for an October run that could land the team squarely in the discussion for a wild card, or should I say it?  I’m gonna say it, a division title chase into November and December.

Bengaldom hasn’t seen this level of excitement and optimism since 2015. So, what do we owe this excitement to? Andy is gone. Marvin is gone. AJ is gone. Jeremy Hill is gone (praise be).

This is a new team. A new breed of cat. A cat that isn’t just going to lay prone on its climber all day and eat treats (that’s what my cats do). This team is physical, aggressive and confident.

Where does this start? It starts with the franchise, Joe Burrow. As Joe goes, so goes this team. We have learned much about Burrow and his makeup thus far in 2021, but here are three key observations from the narrow loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 5.