Joe Burrow is playing the best football of his career right now according to the next defensive coordinator he’s facing
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is on a heater entering Week 9. Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich can’t deny the greatness he is witnessing.
The NFL picked a great time for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals to play a game overseas.
Cincinnati will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Madrid, Spain this Sunday, a week after the Bengals won a shootout against the Tennessee Titans. Burrow threw for 462 yards and five touchdowns in the win, earning him FedEx Air and Ground Player of the Week honors.
That’s far from the only honor Burrow is on pace to earning this year, and one of Atlanta’s top coaches would understand why.
Falcons DC has immense praise for Joe Burrow
Last Sunday’s showing was a strong statement from Cincinnati’s quarterback. It was also the most recent tape Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich had to prepare his defense this week. There’s no mystery when it comes to his opinion on Burrow.
“What doesn’t make him elite, honestly?” Ulbrich said of Burrow to reporters Thursday.
Ulbrich went as far as to say this is the best version of Burrow he’s ever seen.
“He’s playing his best football that has ever played in his career in my opinion right now,” Ulbrich said.
Burrow is, undoubtedly, on a heater right now. His success rate of 64.6% over his last three games is tops in the NFL among starting QBs. His adjusted EPA/play is only second to New England Patriots QB Drake Maye in that time. He’s thrown for 752 yards and nine touchdowns in just his last two games.
Ulbrich’s assessment is valid, and at this rate, the rest of the league may come to an agreement.
Burrow’s MVP case is getting strong
It’s irresponsible to talk about the early MVP race without including Burrow.
While Josh Allen is the betting favorite to take home his second MVP trophy, Burrow is rightfully right on his tail.
Burrow is completing 73% of his passes with 2,115 passing yards, 20 touchdown passes, and only six interceptions. He has shored up his fumbling issues and owns a 111.6 passer rating. He even started 14-for-14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game Pittsburgh won. The Bengals sit second in the AFC North behind the Steelers. Cincinnati has to travel overseas to face the Falcons, but if it gets through that one, a Sunday Night Football matchup with Pittsburgh awaits with first place on the line. How Burrow performs down that stretch could decide whether he is your MVP.
Rog Gregson
A to Z Sports Pittsburgh
What makes Ulbrich’s claim, and Burrow’s current MVP argument both strong is the fact that Burrow has traditionally been at his best in the second half of the season. He’s on pace for over 5,000 yards and nearly 50 TDs, and yet, November is only getting started.
Ulbrich is expecting the best from Burrow on Sunday. Proving him right would likely mean a Bengals win, and his MVP case gaining even more traction.
