It won’t be long before Bengals QB Joe Burrow sets a new NFL record after another efficient game against the Dolphins
Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes in the Cincinnati Bengals’ 31-24 win over the Miami Dolphins, but the stat that stood out most heading into the bye week is one Burrow has long valued above the rest.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had an efficient day at the office against the Miami Dolphins. He completed 23-of-32 passes for 190 yards and four touchdown passes in the Bengals’ 31-24 win on a blistering hot day in Miami Gardens.
Burrow wasn’t always looking to push the ball down the field. His 5.9 yards per attempt and 7.2 average depth of target make that clear. His 71.9% completion rate, however, keeps him in the NFL lead at 71.4% through five weeks.
It won’t be the last time Burrow completes over 70% of his passes in a game. The next time he does it, he’ll make NFL history.
Joe Burrow is one game away from an NFL record
Sunday marked Burrow’s 38th career game with a completion percentage of 70% or higher. That ties him with quarterbacks Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Tua Tagovailoa for the most such games by a player in his first seven seasons in NFL history.
His next game at 70% or better will make him the sole record holder.
Burrow has past cited completion percentage as the statistic that matters most to him. His career mark of 68.6% is the current all-time NFL record. Accuracy has been his trademark as a passer since he entered the league, and the number goes beyond just Burrow himself. It also reflects what the Bengals do best as an offense.
Bengals’ offense lives on staying ahead of the chains
Cincinnati has the seventh-highest overall success rate on offense through five weeks. When dropping back to pass, the Bengals rank eighth.
The recent trend is even better. Over the last three games, Cincinnati has posted the second-highest offensive success rate in the NFL and the highest dropback success rate.
Explosive plays haven’t always been there for the Bengals this year, and that remains a progression that needs to happen. Still, staying ahead of the chains has been the strength of this offense, and Burrow’s completion rate is a big reason why.
A short, efficient passing attack isn’t the flashiest way to move the ball. When it keeps Cincinnati out of third-and-long situations and finishes drives in the end zone, the way it did four times through the air Sunday, there isn’t much to complain about.
What’s next for Burrow and Cincy
The Bengals have a bye this week. There are plenty of facets they’ll want to clean up before they take the field again, and creating more chunk plays figures to be near the top of that list.
The accuracy isn’t going anywhere. Cincinnati will expect Burrow’s completion rate to remain a pillar of its foundation for the rest of the season, regardless of what else needs fixing.
Burrow is already leading the league in completion percentage, and he’s been doing this for years. It won’t be long before he sets the record and extends it well past the likes of Mahomes, Jackson, and Tagovailoa.
