What is Joe Burrow's record vs Steelers? Bengals QB's stats explored

Joe Burrow and the Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a crucial AFC North matchup in Week 13 of the 2024 NFL season. Before the season began, Cincinnati was supposed to be a Super Bowl contender and their opponents were supposed to be chasing them as they tried out a new quarterback.

Instead, the Bengals are 4-7 on the season, and the Steelers lead the division with an 8-3 record. Cincinnati is not struggling because of Joe Burrow, though. The quarterback has been in fine form all year and has 27 passing touchdowns and just four interceptions.

He has a passer rating of 106.9 and in any other season, they would be talking about him as an MVP contender. The issue has been their defense which has allowed points galore on the other side of the ball.

The Bengals quarterback's record against the Steelers is not too shabby either. Since entering the league, Joe Burrow has faced Pittsburgh five teams and he has a 3-2 record in those matchups. However, that obscures how he has personally fared in this rivalry.

He has had two games against them where he has thrown for less than 200 yards but still ended up on the winning side. In two other games, he has passed for more than 300 yards. But he has six interceptions in those two matchups, with a loss against the Steelers in September 2022 being particularly painful. The quarterback was picked off four times and threw for just two touchdown passes in that match and finished with a passer rating of 61.7.

Turnovers have been a problem for Joe Burrow in this AFC North rivalry as he has eight interceptions in five games. The good news is he has always thrown a touchdown every time he has faced the Steelers and has a total of 11 against them, equating to an average of 2.2. His overall passer rating of 88.0 in this rivalry shows that there is room for improvement. A summary of the Bengals' stars stats against Pittsburgh is given below:

• Games: 5
• Wins: 3
• Losses: 2
• Total passing yards: 1,268
• Average passing yards per game: 253.6
• Completion percentage: 64.4
• Total touchdowns: 11
• Total interceptions: 8
• Passer rating: 88.0

Can Joe Burrow lead the Bengals to the playoffs starting with win over Steelers?

The Bengals still have an outside chance of making the playoffs but much depends on what they are able to do in this game. If they win this game, they will have a 5-7 record tied with the Colts and the Dolphins. That will still leave them two games behind the Broncos but it will allow them to make a late run for the postseason if Denver slips.

The Broncos' remaining games include matchups against the Chargers and the Chiefs, with both divisional rivals having a better record currently. Denver also has to play Indianapolis, who are also in the hunt for a playoff spot. Crucially, Sean Payton and his team have to face Joe Burrow and the Bengals in the penultimate game of the season and that hasthe potential to affect the makeup of the AFC teams in the postseason.

So, while Cincinnati is not out of contention yet for playing beyond the regular season, Joe Burrow knows that there is no margin for error and they need to win this game against Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers will be no pushovers as no team led by Mike Tomlin ever is. They also know that a loss here will tie them with the Ravens with an 8-4 record and a Wild Card entry into the postseason brings traveling challenges that they can avoid as divisional winners.

It should be a fascinating match with Joe Burrow looking to pull off a late-season surge coming off a bye last week and Russell Wilson trying to extend his team's lead atop of the AFC North.