[
]
The NFL MVP award is almost synonymous with team success. Typically, the MVP comes from a team that’s not just playoff-bound but also among the league’s elite. And yet, Joe Burrow could crash that narrative this season. With the Bengals sitting at 8-8 and holding a slim 17% chance of making the postseason (per The New York Times), Burrow’s MVP case could put him in the rarest of company—players who snagged the league’s most coveted individual honor despite their teams missing the playoffs.
The only two NFL MVPs who missed the playoffs
So rare that it’s happened only twice in the NFL’s storied history.
- Johnny Unitas (1967): The Baltimore Colts legend had an incredible season, throwing for 3,428 yards, 20 touchdowns, and completing a league-best 58.5% of his passes. The Colts finished with an 11-1-2 record, but a brutal tiebreaker (point differential in head-to-head games) left them on the outside looking in for the playoffs. That season was a painful reminder of how cruel NFL playoff math can be.
- O.J. Simpson (1973): Simpson’s MVP season is etched in the history books for his jaw-dropping 2,003 rushing yards, the first running back ever to surpass 2,000 in a season. Despite that, the Buffalo Bills finished second in the AFC East at 9-5 and missed the playoffs entirely. His historic individual achievement stood in stark contrast to his team’s playoff absence.
Could Joe Burrow redefine what it means to be the NFL MVP by joining this elite club?
Statistically? Absolutely. Burrow is having one of the best seasons of his career, leading the NFL in both passing yards (4,641) and touchdowns (42) while boasting the fifth-highest completion percentage and one of the league’s lowest interception rates. Those numbers roar MVP, but the Bengals’ rollercoaster of a season could hold him back.
The Bengals stumbled to a 1-4 start, clawed their way back to .500, but still find themselves in a precarious position. As it stands, they need a miracle to make the playoffs, with teams like Denver and Miami holding critical advantages in the AFC’s final playoff race.
And Burrow knows the odds. Asked about his MVP chances this week, he said, “Usually, you’ve got to win your division. That’s how it’s voted. I don’t necessarily disagree with it.” It’s a fair point. Historically, MVP voters gravitate toward players who carry their teams to division titles—or better.
Why Joe Burrow’s MVP bid could rewrite NFL precedent
Still, Burrow’s MVP argument goes beyond raw stats. Injuries have plagued the Bengals all season, including to key defensive players and both starting offensive tackles. Despite that, Burrow has looked unstoppable at times, stringing together 27 touchdowns and just five interceptions in the last two months alone. Cowboys star Micah Parsons summed it up best on his podcast: “If you ask anybody in the league right now, Joe Burrow is the best quarterback we faced. And we played Lamar this year.”
Burrow’s candidacy highlights a broader question: should MVP voting lean so heavily on team success? If MVP truly means “most valuable player,” then Burrow’s ability to keep the Bengals competitive despite their glaring issues deserves recognition.
[
]
Source link