Have Cincinnati Bengals gotten WORSE with Joe Burrow?

The Cincinnati Bengals have had two franchise quarterbacks in the past decade who defined different eras for the team: Andy Dalton and Joe Burrow. Both quarterbacks were expected to lead the Bengals to postseason success, but their careers took different paths.

Dalton, drafted in 2011, brought immediate stability to the Bengals and consistently guided them to the playoffs but struggled to secure postseason wins. On the other hand, Burrow, the first overall pick in 2020, turned the franchise around and led them to a Super Bowl appearance early in his career.

This in-depth comparison examines their first five seasons in key areas: win-loss record, playoff appearances, yards per completion, Quarterback Rating (QBR), and sacks taken.

Andy Dalton’s First Five Seasons (2011–2015)

Win-Loss Record and Playoff Appearances

Andy Dalton’s immediate impact was evident as he led the Bengals to the playoffs in his rookie season. Here’s how he performed in his first five seasons:

• 2011: 9–7 (playoff appearance, lost in Wild Card Round)
• 2012: 10-6 (playoff appearance, lost in Wild Card Round)
• 2013: 11-5 (playoff appearance, lost in Wild Card Round)
• 2014: 10-5-1 (playoff appearance, lost in Wild Card Round)
• 2015: 10-3 (injured before playoffs, Bengals lost in Wild Card Round)

Total Record: 50-26-1
Playoff Appearances: 5
Playoff Wins: 0

Dalton never won a playoff game during this span, despite consistent regular-season success.

Passing Yards per Completion

Dalton’s passing efficiency varied but remained respectable.

• 2011: 11.3 yards
• 2012: 11.1 yards
• 2013: 11.8 yards
• 2014: 11.0 yards
• 2015: 12.7 yards

His ability to complete deep passes improved significantly in 2015, showing growth in his game.

Quarterback Rating (QBR)

Dalton’s QBR fluctuated but peaked in his final season of this period.

• 2011: 80.4
• 2012: 87.4
• 2013: 88.8
• 2014: 83.5
• 2015: 106.2

His career-best 106.2 QBR in 2015 was a significant improvement, though injuries limited his playoff impact.

Sacks Taken

Dalton’s protection was inconsistent, with sack totals varying:

• 2011: 24
• 2012: 46
• 2013: 29
• 2014: 21
• 2015: 20

Despite a rough 2012 season with 46 sacks, protection improved in later years, allowing Dalton to perform better.

Joe Burrow’s First Five Seasons (2020-2024)

Win-Loss Record and Playoff Appearances

Burrow’s early years were marked by a major injury, but his impact was undeniable.

• 2020: 2–7–1 (season cut short due to ACL injury)
• 2021: 10-6 (playoff appearance, won AFC Championship, lost in Super Bowl)
• 2022: 12-4 (playoff appearance, lost in AFC Championship)
• 2023: 11-5 (playoff appearance, lost in Divisional Round)
• 2024: 9-6 (as of December 2024, playoff race ongoing)

Total Record: 44–28–1 (as of December 2024)
Playoff Appearances: 4
Playoff Wins: 5+ (including 1 Super Bowl appearance)

Burrow’s immediate success in 2021, leading the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, showcased his elite ability to perform in high-stakes games.

Passing Yards per Completion

Burrow consistently posted strong yards per completion numbers:

• 2020: 10.2 yards
• 2021: 11.4 yards
• 2022: 11.8 yards
• 2023: 11.6 yards
• 2024: 12.0 yards (as of December 2024)

His steady improvement suggests greater confidence in deep passing and playmaking ability.

Quarterback Rating (QBR)

Burrow’s QBR has remained elite, reflecting his efficiency:

• 2020: 89.8
• 2021: 108.3
• 2022: 102.5
• 2023: 104.1
• 2024: 105.6 (as of December 2024)

His 2021 season (QBR 108.3), which led to a Super Bowl run, stands as a defining year.

Sacks Taken

Burrow has dealt with significant pass protection issues:

• 2020: 32 sacks (in just 10 games)
• 2021: 51 sacks (led NFL)
• 2022: 48 sacks
• 2023: 42 sacks
• 2024: 35 sacks (as of December 2024)

Despite leading the NFL in sacks taken in 2021, Burrow still managed a Super Bowl appearance, proving his resilience.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. Regular-Season Success

Dalton holds a slight edge in regular-season record (50-26-1 vs. 44-28-1), but Burrow has had stronger individual seasons despite dealing with an injury-shortened rookie year.

2. Playoff Performance

Burrow easily surpasses Dalton in the postseason. While Dalton made five playoff appearances but never won a game, Burrow won five postseason games, including an AFC Championship and Super Bowl appearance in just his second full season (2021).

3. Efficiency and QBR

Burrow’s higher QBR (102.1 avg vs. Dalton’s 89.3) indicates superior efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making under pressure.

4. Sack Problems

Burrow has endured significantly more sacks than Dalton (41.6 avg per season vs. 28.0). His 2021 season (51 sacks taken) still resulted in a Super Bowl run, highlighting his ability to perform under extreme pressure.

Conclusion: Burrow’s Superiority in Clutch Moments

While Andy Dalton provided stability and regular-season success, Joe Burrow’s impact has been transformational. His ability to deliver playoff victories, win an AFC championship, and nearly secure a Super Bowl within his first five seasons cements his place as the superior quarterback in Bengals history.

If Burrow’s career continues on this trajectory, he could rewrite Cincinnati Bengals history and potentially bring the franchise its first Super Bowl title.