The Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the top teams in the NFL for the last few seasons. A big reason why is because they have one of the best players at the most important position, quarterback.

Joe Burrow was taken in the first round by the Bengals in 2020. After suffering a torn ACL and MCL, as well as PCL damage in his rookie campaign, Burrow has led the Bengals to consecutive AFC Championship Game appearances and also a trip to the Super Bowl.

On Saturday, NFL insider, Jonathan Jones, spoke with Bengals' reporter Marisa Contipelli, and he showed Burrow the ultimate respect. 

"He's a top 5 quarterback in his sleep," Jones said. "I think he's a top 2 quarterback when he's playing his best ball. When you have someone like that you're going to win a lot of games."

Jones's comment isn't far-fetched at all.

In Burrow's first full season in 2021, he led the league in competition percentage (70.4) and finished sixth in passing yards (4,611) which led to him winning Comeback Player of the Year. However, it was how Burrow stepped up in big games that were impressive, and specifically, what he did when facing quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs. 

Mahomes has been considered by most to be the best quarterback in the NFL for quite a while. Well, Burrow didn't subscribe to that when the Bengals faced the Chiefs twice that season. 

In the first matchup in Cincinnati, Burrow carved the Chiefs' defense up like a Thanksgiving turkey, throwing for 446 yards and four touchdowns which included hooking up with wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase for a Bengals' record 266 yards receiving yards.

Once the playoffs rolled around, the Bengals found themselves in Kansas City with a Super berth on the line, and Burrow was clutch.

The Bengals trailed by as much as 11 points but Burrow was able to help them force overtime. After a Mahomes interception, Burrow led a 42-yard drive that resulted in a game-winning field goal, sending the Bengals to the biggest stage in football for the first time since 1988.

Last season, Burrow continued proving how smart the Bengals were for bringing him into the organization. 

Burrow's 4,475 passing yards were the fifth-most in the NFL, and his 35 touchdown tosses were tied for second with Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (Mahomes led the league with 41).

In Week 13 against the Kansas City Chiefs, Burrow was big-time once again. He completed 25 of his 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Bengals to their third consecutive win over Mahomes and the Chiefs inside a calendar year.

Burrow went up against Allen in the playoffs on the road in Buffalo. He was able to outlast Allen, who is considered a top-five quarterback himself, for yet another big playoff win.

The Bengals' season ended with a loss to Mahomes and the Chiefs with a chance to make back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. Burrow didn't have the best game, but to get the Bengals to at least the conference title game in his first two full seasons says a lot about where he ranks when it comes to quarterbacks in today's NFL.

Football is the ultimate team sport. However, quarterbacks get judged by how they perform against the other top signal callers in the league, and Burrow has shown that he can shine against the best in the biggest moments.

Sam Greene-USA TODAY Sports