3 Bold Predictions For Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. Patriots

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is back in game-week mode for the first time since suffering an injury that ended his season in 2023. As such, he has some rust to knock off as well as a need to prove to himself he can still be one of the top quarterbacks in the AFC.

However, with several factors working against him, will he be able to pull it off?

Here’s a look at three predictions for Burrow in Week 1’s showdown against Jacoby Brissett and the New England Patriots.

Joe Burrow wins defensive slugfest

First, don’t expect an offensive gymnastics show. The Patriots will be ready to run the ball and lean on the defense to minimize the number of possessions for Burrow. Additionally, with Ja’Marr Chase just returning after sitting out training camp, Burrow’s hopes fall on Tee Higgins. Higgins, who earned just 600 yards last season, finds his hands full as the team’s most reliable target in the contest.

Jerod Mayo, who comes from Bill Belichick’s tutelage, will force Burrow to check into running the ball or passing at players deep on the depth chart. The result is a defensive slugfest partly thanks to Chase, partly thanks to Jerod Mayo. Burrow wins the game, but the win is ugly in nature.

He throws one touchdown and zero interceptions

Keeping in the theme of the defensive slugfest, Burrow won’t put up any flashy statistics, but he won’t completely implode, either. Burrow will throw for just one touchdown and zero interceptions. As such, some will extrapolate that the quarterback will be on pace for 17 touchdowns this year, which would be a shocking decline.

However, Burrow will have much flashier weeks to get him back on pace for about 30 touchdowns this season. That said, it won’t happen in Week 1.

Joe Burrow throws for under 200 yards

Keeping in line with Joe Burrow only throwing one touchdown, he also will struggle to accumulate passing yards.

The combination of the strife with Chase and Higgins as well as the loss of Joe Mixon will show itself in the game. The Bengals’ offense will look clunky on all fronts, including with the passing game.

If it hasn’t been clear yet, this will be a game that comes down to turnovers and field position above scoring. It may look like one of the football games of yore played long before the dawn of the 21st century.

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