Throughout the 2024 NFL season, Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback Joe Burrow has been making headlines with his exceptional performances. Despite his talent, the results haven’t always gone the Bengals' way, forming a perplexing narrative around the team’s season.
Burrow delivered an outstanding performance against the Los Angeles Chargers, amassing 356 passing yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Yet, despite his efforts, the Bengals fell short, losing 34-27. This marked an unprecedented record for Burrow; he is the first quarterback since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970 to lose three games in a single season while throwing for 300 or more yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. Such is the paradox of Burrow's 2024 season, a record-standing at 0-3 under these gaudy stats, while other quarterbacks boast a collective 14-2 record when posting similar numbers.
The struggle for wins amidst remarkable individual statistics hasn’t been limited to games against the Chargers. In an electrifying Week 10 matchup, Burrow recorded 428 passing yards and four touchdowns against the Ravens. Yet again, in a display of historic excellence and unfortunate outcomes, the Bengals were edged out 35-34. Burrow became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw over 400 yards and four touchdowns in consecutive games while enduring losses in both, a unique and unenviable milestone.
This string of tough losses was punctuated by the Bengals' tendency to fall short even when scoring 25 points or more, having done so on five occasions this season. Interestingly, Burrow has managed to surpass the loss tally with such stats in a single season more than some celebrated quarterbacks, like Tom Brady, have in their entire prestigious careers.
While the Bengals grapple with these issues, the NFL landscape this season has provided other compelling narratives. The Detroit Lions have emerged as a surprising powerhouse, evidenced by their commanding 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This scoreline signified the largest defeat in Jaguars' franchise history and underscored the potency of the Lions' offense, which has consistently scored over 50 points in consecutive home games. The Lions’ 9-1 record entering Week 12 only fuels their momentum.
Integral to the Lions' success has been the trio of Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, and Amon-Ra St. Brown, whose dynamic play has set an NFL benchmark, marking their eighth collaborative scoring effort in a single game.
Another team defying expectations in unconventional ways is the Pittsburgh Steelers. Remarkably, they've managed a 2-0 record in games scored without a touchdown, a testament to their strong defense and special teams, particularly with Chris Boswell's field goal prowess. Boswell stands alone in NFL history, managing six field goals in three separate games, contributing significantly to the Steelers' distinctive victories despite the challenges of scoring touchdowns.
Elsewhere, the quarterback metrics have continued to captivate. Bo Nix, a rookie, stunned audiences by completing 28 of 33 passes for 307 yards and four touchdowns, setting historical benchmarks early in his career. Similarly, Jared Goff’s excellence was on full display, achieving a perfect passer rating of 158.3 with 412 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing the high-caliber play from quarterbacks this season.
Furthermore, the Las Vegas Raiders accomplished an unusual feat with a game finished without punts or turnovers—only the second such occurrence in their franchise history, highlighting the team's calculated approach.
In another division, the Green Bay Packers extended their domination over the Chicago Bears, securing an 11th consecutive victory in the longstanding rivalry. Meanwhile, the San Francisco 49ers are grappling at a 5-5 record, reflecting the ups and downs they face this season.
Brock Bowers has caught attention for setting the record for the second-most receptions by a rookie in his first 10 games. On a historical front, Justin Jefferson continued his stellar career trajectory, amassing a total of 6,811 receiving yards, surpassing Torry Holt for the most in a player's first five NFL seasons.
As the NFL season progresses, these stories form a rich tapestry of talent, records, and narratives that captivate fans and experts alike. Whether it’s the Bengals' struggle despite Burrow's brilliance or the Lions' rise to formidable contenders, the 2024 season reminds us that in the NFL, every game unfolds as a drama beyond statistics.