The 2025 season didn’t unfold the way the Cincinnati Bengals had hoped. Joe Burrow, the face of the franchise and one of the league’s top quarterbacks when healthy, went down early with a turf toe injury in Week 2 and missed nine games.
Without him, the Bengals struggled mightily, going 1-8 during that stretch and officially missing the playoffs for a third straight year. But even in a lost season, Burrow is reminding everyone just how special he is when he’s on the field.
Burrow Ties Franchise Record in Fewer Than 80 Games
In Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals, Burrow threw for 305 yards - his second straight 300-yard performance - bringing his career total to 28 such games. That ties him with Andy Dalton for the most 300-yard games in Bengals history.
But here’s the kicker: Burrow did it in just 76 games. Dalton needed 133.
That’s not just a statistical footnote - that’s a statement. It underscores how efficient and explosive Burrow has been when healthy.
He’s not just racking up yards; he’s doing it at a pace that suggests he's on a trajectory toward something much bigger in the long run. For a player who’s battled serious injuries in multiple seasons, including this one, that kind of production is a testament to both his talent and his resilience.
Week 18: A Shot at History
Now, with one game left in the season, Burrow has a chance to stand alone atop the Bengals’ record books. One more 300-yard outing - this time against the Browns in Week 18 - would give him the franchise record outright.
It won’t be easy. Cleveland’s defense has been lights-out against the pass all season, allowing just 163.8 passing yards per game, good for second-best in the league.
But Burrow’s no stranger to big games against the Browns. In fact, the only two times he’s thrown for over 300 yards against them both came during his rookie season in 2020 - 316 yards in one game, 406 in the other.
Chemistry That Keeps Clicking
A big reason Burrow has been able to put up these kinds of numbers - especially coming off injury - is his continued connection with Ja’Marr Chase. The former LSU teammates haven’t just rekindled their college magic; they’ve elevated it to historic NFL levels.
Chase just became the first player in league history to post at least 80 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns in each of his first five seasons. That’s not just consistency - that’s elite, year-in and year-out production. And it’s clear that when Burrow and Chase are both healthy, they can light up any defense in the league.
No Playoffs, But Still Plenty to Play For
Sure, the Bengals won’t be suiting up in January football this time around. But don’t mistake that for a meaningless finale.
For Burrow, it’s a chance to etch his name atop another page of franchise history. For Chase, it’s another opportunity to add to a record-setting start to his career.
And for Bengals fans, it’s a reminder that the future - health permitting - is still bright in Cincinnati.
So when the Bengals take the field against the Browns in Week 18, there’s more on the line than just pride. There’s legacy.
There’s momentum. And there’s a quarterback looking to prove, once again, that when he’s on the field, he’s one of the best in the game.