The Cincinnati Bengals are showcasing exceptional talent, with standout players making impressive contributions. Joe Burrow currently tops the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes, while Ja’Marr Chase seems to be on track to capture a unique receiving triple crown, and Trey Hendrickson leads the league in sacks. This combination appears to create a solid foundation for success.
However, the reality for the Bengals has been less favorable, as they sit in 10th place in the AFC with a 4-7 record. They have a unique opportunity to be the first team since the NFL began officially recording sacks in 1982 to have the leaders for passing yards, receiving yards, and sacks in a single season. Six of their losses have been by less than a touchdown, influenced by missed field goals, defensive lapses, and a lack of key fourth-quarter touchdown drives from Burrow and the offense.
In their recent game against the Chargers, Burrow became just the second quarterback in NFL history to lose two consecutive starts while throwing for over 350 yards and three touchdowns without any interceptions, ending in a close 34-27 defeat. The Bengals managed to overcome a 27-6 deficit to tie the game in the fourth quarter; however, missed field goals by Evan McPherson and a critical punt in the final minutes allowed the Chargers to secure the winning score.
This season, Burrow has thrown for a remarkable 3,028 yards, with 27 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Compared to the past seven quarterbacks who reached similar figures—3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns with five or fewer interceptions in their first 11 games—who collectively boasted a dominating 69-8 record, Burrow’s achievements appear overshadowed by the Bengals’ current standing.
Alongside Burrow, Chase leads the NFL with 73 receptions, 1,056 receiving yards, and 12 touchdown catches. Achieving a receiving triple crown is rare, with only four players since the merger managing it: Cooper Kupp (2021), Steve Smith (2005), Sterling Sharpe (1992), and Jerry Rice (1990). Meanwhile, Hendrickson’s 11 1/2 sacks not only top the league but also place him ahead of other notable players like Dexter Lawrence and Nik Bonitto.
In another corner of the league, the Detroit Lions are making headlines with their impressive performances, including a staggering 52-6 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. This win marked their most significant victory in recent times. The Lions outgained the Jaguars by an astounding 645-170 yards, achieving the third-largest margin since the Super Bowl era. This performance puts them among only a few teams, such as the Rams in the 1970s, who have recorded similar margins.
As a result of this win, the Lions improved to 9-1, showcasing their best start since the iconic 10-0 run in 1934. Despite trailing 3-0 initially, they managed to score touchdowns on their first seven possessions—an achievement not seen since the New England Patriots in 2007 against the Bills. Historically, only two teams have overcome larger deficits than the Lions in a single game.
Additionally, Detroit became the third team in the Super Bowl era to win at least three of their first 10 games with over 35-point margins. In this game, they also set a record for running touchdowns, marking their 24th consecutive game both in season and playoff history with at least one rushing touchdown. Quarterback Jared Goff rebounded from a previous poor performance, completing 24 of 29 attempts for 412 yards, four touchdowns, and achieving a perfect passer rating of 158.3—an accomplishment he previously achieved only once before.
Mike Tomlin, the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, has developed a reputation for securing victories even when his team struggles to score touchdowns. In a recent matchup against Baltimore, the Steelers triumphed 18-16, capitalizing on six field goals by Chris Boswell. This marks the second game this season where Pittsburgh has claimed victory without scoring a touchdown, joining the ranks of the 2016 Rams.
Throughout his career, Tomlin has managed to win five games in both the regular season and playoffs without a touchdown, putting him just one behind Marv Levy for the most such wins since 1972. Notably, his win percentage without a touchdown stands as the best among coaches with substantial experience in similar situations.
Another versatile player making headlines is Taysom Hill of the New Orleans Saints. On a recent Sunday, Hill illustrated his multifaceted skills during a win over Cleveland—gaining 138 rushing yards and three touchdowns while also catching eight passes for 50 yards and completing an 18-yard pass. This performance made him the first player in NFL history to achieve at least 100 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and at least 50 receiving yards while also throwing a pass.
Hill’s effectiveness came from a mix of roles on the field, lining up in various positions throughout the game. His remarkable rushing ability, which featured touchdowns of 10, 33, and 75 yards, places him alongside a select few players older than he is who have achieved similar yardage in a game.