Some will argue that wins aren't a quarterback stat, but let's face it, they are. If your team is successful, you get attention. If you're a phenomenal QB but don't make the playoffs, you get dinged and blamed unfairly.
Joe Burrow fell victim to this to some degree. Sandwiched between injury-plagued seasons in 2023 and 2025 was a magical 2024 campaign in which he led the NFL in passing yards and passing TDs. That came while playing with horrendous pass protection and a worse defense.
In fact, the Bengals' D was so bad that they missed the postseason with a 9-8 record, squandering a would-be MVP season from Joe Shiesty.
Fast-forward to 2026. Joe is healthy again, he's a prime contender for MVP honors, and the Bengals are 6-2 entering Sunday night's huge AFC north clash with the Pittsburgh Steelers. And at long last, Burrow is rightfully being acknowledged as a near-peerless quarterback.
Burrow trails only Josh Allen in FanSided's QB rankings via expert panel
The newest FanSided QB rankings are live and my oh my are they pretty! Not just because Joe Burrow checks in at No. 2 behind Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, but in terms of how well put-together they are.
Yours truly was part of the expert panel across the NFL division who contributed to these rankings. You had to grade QBs on a scale of 1 to 12 and could only give out one "12" grade.
Of course mine went to Burrow. Clearly I wasn't the only one, though. Here's how the top signal-callers stacked up by average rating in Tier 1:
- 1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: 11.72
- 2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals: 11.05
- 3. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs: 10.79
- 4. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: 10.56
I'm not here to argue that Burrow is better than Allen. I just know I'd take Joe Brrr with the game on the line in the playoffs. Sorry but I've seen Allen choke in such scenarios and have witnessed Burrow shine years ago, when he wasn't nearly the caliber of QB he is now.
Joe Shiesty could vault to No. 1 by the end of the playoffs
Perception is lagging behind reality right now about the Bengals. They're viewed in major power rankings as a consensus top-seven team or thereabouts. They're more like top three to me thanks in large part to Joe Burrow.
It's frustrating that Burrow has missed the playoffs in each of the last three years. Many of his peers, notably fellow Tier 1 QBs in Allen and Jackson, have had serious postseason demons in the interim.
All Burrow has needed all along is a competent defense. He has some version of that thanks to Cincinnati's new-look defensive line led by Dexter Lawrence. As long as Sexy Dexy can come up with a big play or two in key spots, the Bengals have as good a chance as anyone to win the Super Bowl.
If Allen can't ultimately deliver for the Bills once again, and/or the Bengals advance further than Buffalo in the playoffs, how can Burrow be denied as the clear QB1 in the sport?
Burrow's body of work and what he's doing this season are becoming undeniable. The ball knowers in FanSided's NFL division are recognizing the greatness. Maybe it's time everyone else catches up while it's still cool. Bandwagon's getting full though, y'all!
Joe Burrow is currently pacing for 5,070 passing yards and 49 touchdown passes over a 17-game season.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 13, 2026
Joe Burrow now averages 2.118 touchdown passes per game, the highest of any quarterback in NFL history. Patrick Mahomes is next at 2.097, followed by Peyton Manning at 2.03 and Drew Brees at 1.99.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 13, 2026
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