The Cincinnati Bengals have emerged as one of the NFL’s most dominant teams, reaching a 6-2 record following a 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid. The turnaround comes after a difficult stretch from 2023 through 2025, when the team compiled a combined regular-season record of 24-27 with no playoff appearances, hampered by injuries to quarterback Joe Burrow and defensive deficiencies.
Burrow has been the driving force behind Cincinnati’s resurgence, delivering an MVP-caliber season. Over the last four weeks, he has thrown 16 touchdown passes, the most in any four-game span in franchise history dating back to 1968. His performance places him second in professional football history alongside Tom Brady’s 2007 season for quarterbacks with 16 or more passing touchdowns and two or more rushing touchdowns across any four-game span. Against Atlanta, Burrow completed 24 of 29 passes for 271 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, achieving a passer rating of 140.1.
The quarterback’s improved protection has contributed significantly to his success. Burrow has been pressured on just 30.2% of his dropbacks this season, compared to 33.8% the previous year and 34.2% two seasons prior. While Cincinnati’s running game remains among the league’s weakest with 3.87 yards per carry, the team’s average defense has proven sufficient to support an elite offense anchored by receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Burrow has never won the NFL MVP award, finishing fourth in voting in both 2022 and 2024, but his current trajectory suggests the award could be within reach.
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