The 2024 NFL season has been nothing short of a roller coaster for Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow, whose statistical performances have been both impressive and historically noteworthy. Yet, despite his individual success, the Bengals have not been able to translate his efforts into victories, a paradox that has bewildered fans and analysts alike.
Burrow's Unprecedented Struggles
Burrow has achieved a peculiar feat this season, becoming the only quarterback in NFL history to lose three games in a single season while posting 300 or more yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. In a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Burrow threw for 356 yards and three touchdowns, yet the Bengals fell to a 34-27 defeat.
Burrow's stats under these circumstances stand at a disheartening 0-3 this season. Comparing this to other quarterbacks who boast a collective 14-2 record under similar circumstances, Burrow's predicament becomes even more glaring. To put this into perspective, Burrow has matched the loss tally under these impressive stats in a single season, eclipsing the legendary Tom Brady who has managed to avoid such defeats over his entire 23-year career.
Historical Performances Amidst Defeats
The challenges continued for Burrow and the Bengals in Week 10 against the Ravens. Burrow delivered a sterling performance with 428 yards and four touchdowns but, yet again, victory eluded him as the Bengals lost narrowly 35-34. This marked another historical first, as Burrow became the only quarterback to achieve over 400 passing yards and four touchdowns in back-to-back games, both ending in losses.
The Detroit Lions' Dominance
In contrast, the Detroit Lions have been on a tear, surging to an impressive 9-1 record as they head into Week 12. Their latest triumph came against the Jacksonville Jaguars, delivering a commanding 52-6 win, the largest loss in the Jaguars' franchise history. The Lions have now scored over 50 points in consecutive home games, underscoring their formidable offensive prowess.
The Lions' dynamic trio—Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown—each scored in a game, marking their eighth such collaboration, setting an NFL record. The team’s cohesion and ability to both attack and defend cohesively have made them frontrunners in the league.
Uncommon Feats Across the League
Elsewhere in the league, several other noteworthy achievements have emerged. The Pittsburgh Steelers have surprised many by maintaining a 2-0 record in games where they failed to score a touchdown, a feat backed by kicker Chris Boswell's remarkable consistency. Boswell has successfully converted six field goals in three separate career games, an unprecedented achievement in NFL history.
Quarterbacks and offensive players continue to dazzle, with Bo Nix completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie, and Taysom Hill showcasing his versatility by accumulating over 100 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 50 receiving yards, and 10 passing yards in a single game.
In another high-powered individual performance, Jared Goff achieved a perfect passer rating of 158.3 with 412 yards and four touchdowns, illustrating his elite status among quarterbacks this season. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders managed a game without punts and turnovers, a scenario they have only executed once before in franchise history.
Remarkable Streaks and Records
Historic streaks continue to be extended as the Green Bay Packers celebrated their 11th consecutive victory over the Chicago Bears. However, not all records bring joy; the San Francisco 49ers are treading water with a 5-5 record this season, looking to regain form as they progress.
In the realm of individual achievements, Brock Bowers set an enviable mark with 70 receptions through his first 10 career games, the second-most by any rookie in NFL history. Similarly, Justin Jefferson surpassed Torry Holt's record for the most receiving yards in a player's first five seasons, amassing 6,811 yards.
Throughout the season, the Bengals have faced frustration, seeing five losses despite scoring 25 points or more, a statistic that highlights both their offensive capability and defensive vulnerabilities.
As the season progresses, the NFL landscape continues to evolve, with each team and player contributing to a tapestry of records and milestones in what has been a thrilling and unpredictable season.