Former NFL running back Maurice Jones-Drew made a gutsy case for Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow to win both the NFL MVP and Comeback Player of the Year awards during the latest episode of NFL Gameday. Jones-Drew believes Burrow’s ability to elevate the Bengals into playoff contention, specifically against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs, warrants the rare dual accolade.
The Bengals face a must-win scenario in their Week 17 matchup against the Denver Broncos. A loss would give Cincinnati the Rhea Ripley treatment, officially eradicating their late playoff push dreams, while a win would set up a do-or-die Week 18 matchup against the Steelers to vie for an AFC Wild Card berth.
For the Broncos, a win would earn the seventh and final AFC playoff spot under a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix after parting ways with Russell Wilson. Jones-Drew heavily praised Burrow during the broadcast, describing him as the singular quarterback capable of consistently challenging the NFL’s elite.
- NFL Network forced to correct embarrassing error on Chargers vs. Patriots broadcast
- Micah Parsons overlooks Dak Prescott while naming best quarterback in NFL
“I don’t want to put all the pressure on the Broncos defense. I don’t want to do that, because Joe Burrow, right now, if they make the playoffs, he’s probably going to win MVP if that happens,” Jones-Drew said. When host Colleen Wolfe asked if Burrow should also win Comeback Player of the Year, Jones-Drew didn’t hesitate and said, “Both of them. Give ’em all to him.”
He continued by mentioning Burrow’s resume against top-tier opponents. “If there’s one quarterback that I would have on my team, it’s Joe Burrow. He’s the only one that’s beaten Patrick Mahomes consistently. He’s the only one who’s taken his team to Buffalo and won in the playoffs. He’s the only one that takes on the Ravens head-on and wins.”
According to StatHead, Burrow has a 2-1 record against Mahomes in the regular season and is 1-1 against the Chiefs in the playoffs. His best win came at Arrowhead Stadium in the 2021 AFC Championship Game, when he led the Bengals to their third-ever Super Bowl appearance despite a loss.
Joe Burrow led the Bengals to a win over Dallas (
Getty)
NFL fans called Jones-Drew crazy for his assessment, with one on X writing, “Crazy! MJD [is kissing up so hard! Lamar Jackson [is] breaking records and beating the brakes off their favorite quarterbacks!” Another fan wrote, “Lamar Jackson is 10-2 against the Bengals in his career. Head to head against Joe Burrow, he’s 5-1. He also has 39 passing touchdowns and four rushing, totaling 43. Jackson also has a passer rating of 121.6 and only four picks. He also has 852 rushing yards. I’ll take Lamar.”
Despite leading the NFL in passing yards [4,229] and touchdowns [39], Burrow’s Bengals sit at 7-8, trailing the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North. Current MVP odds favor players like Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Saquon Barkley, and Jared Goff, whose individual and team performances have outshined Burrow’s record.
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ second-all-time leading rusher finished by highlighting the entertainment factor Burrow brings to the NFL. “Yes, Joe Burrow and this offense, they’re going to have to carry this team all the way throughout. They’ve done it before. If the Bengals can keep this thing up, I’m telling you, there’s nothing any other sport can do if the Bengals get in, because it’s going to be must-watch TV if they’re playing.”
Leave a Reply