Bengals' Continued Struggles Despite Burrow's Heroics
Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow has demonstrated skill and poise, delivering impressive performances. Yet, the team’s ongoing struggles have cast a long shadow over these achievements. In a recent game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Burrow threw for 356 yards, three touchdowns, and meticulously avoided interceptions. Despite this laudable performance, the Bengals fell 34-27, marking another addition to a baffling trend.
Record-Setting but Unfortunate
Burrow’s numbers shine, yet victories remain elusive. Unique since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970, Burrow is the only quarterback to lose three games in a single season while posting 300 or more yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. This season, his record with those impressive stats stands at 0-3, a stark contrast to other quarterbacks who collectively boast a 14-2 record under similar circumstances. More extraordinarily, Burrow has surpassed the loss tally with these stats in a single season than the legendary Tom Brady had in his entire 23-year career.
The inconsistency deepened with a heartbreaking 35-34 loss to the Ravens in Week 10, where Burrow threw for a phenomenal 428 yards and four touchdowns. Remarkably, he became the first quarterback in NFL history to achieve such numbers in back-to-back games, only to endure losses in both.
Lions Roar While Others Falter
Meanwhile, the NFL landscape continues to offer other compelling narratives. The Detroit Lions, for instance, are enjoying an unprecedented run. Their emphatic 52-6 demolition of the Jacksonville Jaguars not only marked the largest loss in Jaguars’ franchise history but was also an NFL first for such a scoreline. Dominating through the season, the Lions have managed to achieve a 9-1 record, tying for the best in the league heading into Week 12, all while displaying an offensive prowess that has seen them score over 50 points in consecutive home games—a rare feat accomplished by only four other teams historically.
This surge aligns with the standout contributions from players like Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, each scoring in a game that marked their eighth such collaboration, an NFL record.
Surprising Success Without Touchdowns
Another intriguing storyline is the performance of the Pittsburgh Steelers, managing a perfect 2-0 record in games without scoring a touchdown, a stark anomaly compared to the rest of the NFL, which sits at a dismal 2-18 under similar conditions. Such outcomes are propelled by Chris Boswell, a kicker whose precision has seen him achieve six field goals in three separate games in his career—a first in NFL history.
Records and Leagues
Elsewhere in the league, noteworthy feats continue to unfold. Bo Nix made history as the first rookie quarterback to complete 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns. Additionally, Taysom Hill carved out his unique achievement by accumulating a game with over 100 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 50 receiving yards, and 10 passing yards.
In yet another display of historical caliber performance, Jared Goff captured a perfect passer rating of 158.3, with 412 yards and four touchdowns—his second career game reaching these heights.
On the defensive front, the Las Vegas Raiders found themselves on rare ground, completing a game devoid of both punts and turnovers—a scenario only seen once before in their franchise history.
Packers, 49ers, and Individual Brilliance
The historic achievements don't end there. The Green Bay Packers extended their dominance over the Chicago Bears to an unprecedented 11 straight victories. Conversely, the San Francisco 49ers find themselves grappling with an unexpectedly mediocre 5-5 record, despite being favorites in each matchup.
On the individual front, rookies and superstars alike have etched their names into the annals of NFL history. Brock Bowers has set the record for the second-most receptions (70) by a rookie through his first 10 career games. Meanwhile, Justin Jefferson continues to redefine excellence, having amassed 6,811 receiving yards, surpassing the great Torry Holt for the most receiving yards in a player's first five seasons.
Despite these individual and collective successes, the Bengals' journey with Burrow remains plagued by hurdles, especially in games where scoring has not translated to success. Notably, they have suffered five losses this season when scoring 25 points or more—an unenviable record tied for the most ever through 11 games.
As the season progresses, the blend of individual records and team performances offers a rich tapestry of narratives, underscoring both the thrill and unpredictability inherent in professional football.