Joe Burrow vs. Josh Allen: Who’s Really Dominating the NFL in 2024?

In the 2024 NFL season, two of the most dynamic and elite quarterbacks in the league—Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills—have delivered some of the most eye-popping performances of their careers. Both quarterbacks possess the ability to elevate their teams and create electrifying plays on the field, making them two of the most exciting players to watch in the NFL.

This article will provide an in-depth comparison of Joe Burrow and Josh Allen’s 2024 seasons, highlighting their statistics, strengths, weaknesses, and the impact they had on their respective teams. We will also discuss how they rank among the best quarterbacks in the NFL and how their performances contributed to the landscape of the 2024 season.

Joe Burrow’s Exceptional 2024 Performance: A Record-Breaking Season

Joe Burrow, the star quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals, entered the 2024 season with high expectations after a series of impressive performances in previous years. In 2024, he shattered records and set new benchmarks for himself and his team, leading the Bengals to one of their most remarkable offensive seasons in recent memory.

Impressive Passing Yardage and Touchdowns

Burrow’s statistics for the season were nothing short of spectacular. He threw for 4,918 passing yards, leading the NFL and showcasing his ability to consistently move the ball down the field. His 43 touchdown passes were a career high, further cementing his status as one of the league’s most prolific quarterbacks.

Burrow’s performance was crucial to the Bengals’ offensive success, as he demonstrated an uncanny ability to read defenses and make quick, precise throws. His deep ball accuracy was outstanding, and he connected with key weapons like Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to produce explosive plays.

Efficiency and Precision

One of the standout features of Burrow’s 2024 season was his efficiency. He completed 70.6% of his passes, making him one of the most accurate quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to hit tight windows and make throws under pressure was a testament to his elite skill set.

Burrow’s passer rating of 108.5 also placed him among the top quarterbacks in the league. This efficiency allowed him to maintain a high level of performance throughout the season, consistently putting his team in a position to win.

Control and Leadership

Burrow’s leadership on the field cannot be overstated. He commanded the Bengals’ offense with poise and confidence, and his ability to stay calm in high-pressure situations was instrumental in many of the Bengals’ close games. His maturity and understanding of the game allowed him to make adjustments on the fly and maximize the performance of his teammates.

Additionally, Burrow’s leadership extended beyond just his passing ability. His calm demeanor and vocal presence on the field helped create a strong team dynamic. He often brought his team back from deficits and played with an unwavering belief that no game was out of reach.

Challenges and the Bengals’ Struggles

Despite Burrow’s outstanding individual performance, the Bengals faced significant challenges throughout the 2024 season. The team finished with a 7-10 record, missing the playoffs and falling short of the expectations set by their explosive offense. Defensive struggles, injuries, and special teams’ issues all contributed to the team’s disappointing campaign. However, Burrow’s performance remained a bright spot, and he continued to show why he is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league.

Josh Allen’s Phenomenal 2024 Season: A Dual-Threat Superstar

While Joe Burrow had a record-setting season, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills also made a strong case for being one of the league’s best quarterbacks. Allen’s ability to be a dual-threat—capable of both passing and rushing—sets him apart from many of his peers. His versatility and playmaking ability were crucial to the Bills’ success in 2024.

Passing Stats: Efficiency and Power

Josh Allen threw for 3,731 passing yards in the 2024 season, falling short of Burrow’s yardage total but still posting impressive numbers. His 28 touchdowns and six interceptions demonstrated his ability to produce while limiting turnovers. Allen’s passer rating of 101.4 further highlighted his efficiency as a quarterback.

While Allen may not have matched Burrow in terms of passing yards, his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs gave him a unique edge. Allen’s powerful arm allowed him to make deep throws down the field, while his mobility made him a constant threat on designed runs and scrambles.

The Dual-Threat Factor: Rushing Ability

What truly sets Josh Allen apart from other quarterbacks is his ability to contribute in the rushing game. In 2024, Allen rushed for 531 yards and 12 touchdowns, showing his effectiveness as a true dual-threat quarterback. His ability to escape pressure and make plays with his legs has become a hallmark of his game, and it significantly boosts the Bills’ offense.

Allen’s rushing ability added a new dimension to the Bills’ attack, as defenses could no longer focus solely on containing his passing game. Allen’s ability to make defenders miss and gain crucial yards on the ground kept opposing defenses on their toes, making him an even more dangerous weapon.

Playoff Push and MVP Performance

Josh Allen’s exceptional 2024 season did not go unnoticed, and his leadership helped propel the Bills to the AFC Championship Game. While they were ultimately defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen’s performance throughout the season earned him the NFL MVP award for 2024.

Allen’s ability to lead his team in critical moments, both as a passer and as a runner, was key to the Bills’ playoff run. His poise under pressure and his ability to execute in clutch situations made him one of the most valuable players in the league.

Comparing Joe Burrow and Josh Allen: A Statistical Breakdown

When comparing Joe Burrow and Josh Allen’s 2024 performances, there are several key statistics that stand out:

• Passing Yards: Joe Burrow led the league with 4,918 passing yards, while Josh Allen threw for 3,731 yards. Burrow’s ability to move the ball through the air consistently set him apart.

• Touchdowns: Burrow threw 43 touchdown passes, the most in the NFL, while Allen had 28 passing touchdowns. However, Allen added 12 rushing touchdowns to his total, bringing his overall touchdown count to 40. Burrow’s passing touchdowns were higher, but Allen’s dual-threat capabilities made up for his lower passing numbers.

• Interceptions: Burrow had 9 interceptions in the 2024 season, while Allen threw 6 interceptions. Both quarterbacks showed strong ball security, with Allen having a slight edge in this department.

• Completion Percentage: Burrow completed 70.6% of his passes, far surpassing Allen’s 63.6%. Burrow’s accuracy and ability to hit his targets with precision were a key factor in his success.

• Passer Rating: Burrow’s passer rating of 108.5 was higher than Allen’s 101.4. This statistic shows that Burrow was slightly more efficient and accurate overall, even though Allen’s dual-threat ability provided him with more opportunities to make plays.

Impact on Their Teams and the NFL

Both quarterbacks had a significant impact on their respective teams and the broader NFL landscape. Joe Burrow’s ability to put up big numbers despite a challenging season for the Bengals showed his resilience and talent. On the other hand, Josh Allen’s ability to lead the Bills to the playoffs and win the MVP award highlighted his importance as a game-changer and a future Hall of Famer in the making.

The performances of both quarterbacks contributed to some of the most exciting games of the season. Their ability to make incredible throws, lead their teams under pressure, and put up big numbers week after week kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Burrow and Allen’s rivalry adds to the growing list of elite quarterbacks in the NFL, with each player bringing something unique to the table. While Burrow may have the edge in passing yards and accuracy, Allen’s versatility and rushing ability make him one of the most complete quarterbacks in the game.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Burrow and Allen?

As the 2024 season comes to a close, both Joe Burrow and Josh Allen are poised to continue their success in the NFL. Burrow will look to improve his offensive line and defense in the coming seasons to get the Bengals back into championship contention. Meanwhile, Allen will continue to refine his dual-threat skills and work on leading the Bills to the ultimate prize—the Super Bowl.

Both quarterbacks have set themselves up for long, successful careers, and it will be exciting to see how their journeys unfold in the years to come.

As we reflect on their 2024 seasons, it’s clear that Burrow and Allen are two of the NFL’s brightest stars. Their performances this season have solidified their places as future legends of the game.