Should Joe Burrow Be In The Top Three For MVP Race?

First, it was that the Bengals were going to be a "one-hit wonder" and that they would fall off the face of the earth after their 0-2 start to this season, depsite making it to a Super Bowl last season.

Then, it was the discussion about maybe Joe Burrow is a "product of his weapons", as many around the NFL thought Burrow was not the same guy when Ja'Marr Chase would miss time, even sometimes Tyler Boyd or Tee Higgins.

Now, sitting at 10-4 after beating the G.O.A.T in Tom Brady and atop the AFC North with just three games remaining in the regular season, it's time to be real.

Joe Burrow is really good, and he deserves to be in the thick of the MVP race this season. 

Joe Burrow MVP Odds

As we sit here today, Burrow currently has the third best odds to win the MVP this season with odds of (+600).

Sitting in third, he is currently only behind Patrick Mahomes (-250) and Jalen Hurts (+300).

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Breaking Down The Numbers

It seems like in every sport, when it comes to the MVP, it is focused more on individual numbers rather than team success. While I understand why they do it, I tend to disagree with it. When making the argument for Burrow to be atop the MVP race, none of it even matters, because he is doing both at a high level.

Burrow is second in the NFL in touchdown passes, behind only Mahomes in this category, but ahead of Hurts. 

When it comes to passing yards, again, he is behind Mahomes, but ahead of Hurts.

Burrow is second in the entire NFL in completion percentage, behind only Geno Smith of the Seahwaks, as Burrow is completing a mighty 68.2 percent of his passes.

Through Week 15, the Bengals have had the fifth hardest strength of schedule this season, based off of opponent record and opponent win percentage. The Eagles? 10th. Chiefs? 28th.

So, again, the Bengals have had the hardest schedule out of the other two MVP quarterbacks in front of him, yet the Bengals are still 10-4.

Don't get is twisted, Hurts has had a phemoninal season, as has Mahomes. Who knows who truly deserves to take home the hardware, but to say Burrow doesn't belong in the heat of the conversation is just flat out wrong.

When it comes to the Bengals, who knows just how far they will go this season. If Burrow and Mahomes meet again, and Burrow wins again, it would be robbery not to put Burrow ahead of Mahomes in any and all MVP talks, as he would then be 4-0 against the star.

As one who doesn't always want to root for Burrow, I find it hard not to at times. A good, young, and swaggy quarterback is always fun, and he should provide an epic rivalry for the Cleveland Browns for years to come.