NFL analyst makes case for Joe Burrow as MVP under one condition amid Bengals QB's scintillating 2024 season

Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Saquon Barkley are among the favorites for MVP this year, but one NFL analyst wants to add Joe Burrow to the list. Dan Orlovsky thinks the Cincinnati quarterback deserves to be considered but with a caveat.

The Bengals are outsiders for the playoffs right now but they are currently 7-8 and still in contention for the postseason. They need many things to fall their way including winning both remaining games and others doing them a favor. However, if that improbability can become real, Dan Orlovsky thinks Joe Burrow should be in MVP contention. The analyst said,

"I think if Cincinnati gets in, Joe Burrow absolutely has a case. He's having an unbelievable season. Cincinnati, they were 1-5 at some point or 1-4. They play Denver this weekend, who's ahead of them. They beat Denver. That means that they'll play week 18 versus Pittsburgh. And if they beat Pittsburgh... if they get in, Joe Burrow can absolutely have a seat at that [MVP] table. There's no doubt about it."

Dan Orlovsky highlights team results but Joe Burrow's personal statistics make a case too

Dan Orlovsky mentioned Joe Burrow because the Bengals began 1-4 and have since gone 6-4. That has come despite one of the leakiest defenses in the league which has forced the Cincinnati quarterback to put the team on his shoulders.

It is reflected in his personal statistics too. He has 4,229 yards after Week 16 of the 2024 NFL season. That leads all quarterbacks in the NFL with Jared Goff the only other quarterback who has more than 4,000 yards. His 39 passing touchdowns also top the league. He has also thrown just eight interceptions for the year.

However, it is difficult to look beyond Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson right now. The former has been phenomenal and has carried the Bills' offense despite losing Stefon Diggs in the offseason. The Baltimore quarterback has been tremendous too and leads in all-purpose yards but he has had support from Derrick Henry and the Ravens have a worse record than the Bills at the moment.

There is a robust debate there but Dan Orlovsky believes that Joe Burrow has a legitimate claim to it if the Bengals make the playoffs. Both possibilities look unlikely right now. However, stranger things have happened in the NFL before and one would not be surprised if even one of them came to pass.