Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow acknowledged the challenges of the team‘s 2024 season, admitting that his own performance played a crucial role in their outcome. Despite leading the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns, Burrow stated that improved play from himself could have changed the Bengals’ standing in the AFC North.
Burrow’s 2024 statistics were impressive: he threw for 4,918 yards, totaled 45 touchdowns, and had only nine interceptions. Yet, the Bengals fell short of playoff qualification, finishing third in their division with just a slightly above .500 record. This disconnect between individual success and the team’s disappointing finish was a key point in Burrow’s reflections.
In a May 31 interview highlighted by Bengals senior writer Geoff Hobson, Burrow expressed his mindset about the past season’s shortcomings.
“If I had played even better, we wouldn’t have been in that spot that we were in… I just focus on getting better myself, and I feel like everyone in the locker room feels the same way. If I go out there and play better than I did last year, then it doesn’t matter what goes on anywhere else.” —Joe Burrow, QB
Assessing the Bengals’ Chances for a Playoff Return
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Cincinnati’s offensive core continues to be among the best in the NFL. With Burrow at quarterback, complemented by elite wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the team has a strong foundation for postseason contention. However, Cincinnati’s defense struggled significantly in 2024 and will need marked improvement to support the team’s championship aspirations.
To evaluate their potential for the upcoming campaign, Sportskeeda’s Playoff Predictor simulated the Bengals’ 2025 season, forecasting a substantial turnaround. According to the projection, Cincinnati could finish with a 13-4 record, securing the AFC North title and earning the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.
This marked improvement in simulations reflects the confidence many have in the Bengals’ talent and resolve to build upon last year’s challenges. With a renewed focus and determination from both the players and coaching staff, Cincinnati hopes to advance deeper into the postseason and contend for a Super Bowl appearance in the near future.