Joe Burrow is the +900 third-favorite to win NFL MVP, and bettors are absolutely throwing money at him like it’s going out of style! This is wild, considering the dude literally missed eight games last season due to yet another injury. This ain’t just another year for Burrow; it’s a make-or-break season for his health, and honestly, the same goes for embattled head coach Zac Taylor, who somehow kept his job.
The Sack Monster and the Marino Shadow
Let’s get real about Burrow: he’s been taking a beating. Since 2020, he’s been sacked 242 times in total, regular season and playoffs combined, and that’s the most in the entire NFL. Think about that for a second! And it’s not all on him either; the Bengals have ranked outside the top 20 in Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade in *every single season* of his career. It’s no wonder his career path is starting to look eeriely like Dan Marino’s: both lost a Super Bowl in Year 2, an AFC title in Year 3, and then missed the playoffs for three straight seasons in Years 4-6. This dude has a passer rating of at least 100 with zero playoff starts in a three-season span, and he’s made 35 starts in that time. That’s a unique and not-so-great stat. If the Bengals want him to stay upright and lead them, they gotta protect their guy!
Taylor’s Last Stand and Offensive Firepower
Many around the league were totally shocked the Bengals kept Taylor after their third straight year missing the playoffs in 2025, falling to a miserable 6-11. That was the club’s worst mark since Taylor’s second season back in 2020! But Burrow’s injury, where the team won only one game without him, seemed to give Taylor a pass for one more season. Make no mistake, though: Cincy became the fifth team in league history to miss three straight postseasons after making back-to-back conference title games. They’ve got the offense to win a Super Bowl, for sure. Burrow is surrounded by Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, one of the best 1-2 receiving punches out there. He’s the +700 favorite to lead the NFL in passing yards and the +500 leader for TD passes. His Over/Under totals are set at 4,000.5 yards and 32.5 TDs, and he’s even -130 to hit 400 yards in one game, something he’s already done seven times.
So, while the offense looks stacked on paper and bettors are all in on Burrow for MVP, the biggest question mark is whether this Cincy defense can finally step up. If not, it could be another long year with Burrow fighting for his health, and Taylor fighting for his job. It’s all on the line this season for them.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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