Burrow Leads NFL in 26 Touchdowns, 74% Completion Rate
The Bengals quarterback’s four-game streak of four-touchdown performances places him at the top of MVP odds, while Jordan Love leads the league in passing yards.
By Emmanuel Obasi ·
Joe Burrow now leads the National Football League in both passing touchdowns and completion percentage. Through nine games, the Cincinnati Bengals quarterback has thrown 23 passes for scores and completed 74% of his attempts. CBS Sports research indicates he is the first player in league history to record a 70% completion rate and four total touchdowns in four consecutive games. The Bengals have won their last four contests, with Burrow accounting for 26 total touchdowns, a league-leading figure.
The latest performance came during a 34-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons in Spain. Burrow threw for three touchdowns and ran for one. His receiving corps, led by Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, generated substantial yardage. Chase recorded 10 receptions for 155 yards and a score, while Higgins caught five passes for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Chase alone had eight catches for 142 yards in the first half.
Jordan Love of the Green Bay Packers offers a strong alternative in the MVP conversation. He currently leads the league with 2,618 passing yards and 40 completions of at least 20 yards. Love has thrown 19 touchdown passes, ranking third in the NFL. His performance against the New England Patriots included deep balls that elevated his wide receivers to new levels. Christian Watson and Matthew Golden both finished with over 150 yards and a touchdown, a first for a Green Bay receiving pair in a single game.
Both quarterbacks are navigating offenses with limited rushing support. The Bengals running game has struggled, and the Packers have rushed for under 20% of their total yards. Despite these deficiencies, Burrow and Love remain the primary drivers of their teams' success. DraftKings lists Burrow as a favorite for the MVP award at +210 odds, placing him level with Josh Allen.
The trade deadline arrives on Tuesday, prompting speculation about roster moves. The Kansas City Chiefs are actively seeking a wide receiver, according to GM Brett Veach. He stated that the team has been scouting the market for talent to support Patrick Mahomes. Some prominent names have been unavailable, but the Chiefs may look to the Dallas Cowboys for George Pickens. The Chiefs could also target Andrew Wylie of the Washington Commanders to bolster their offensive line.
The Minnesota Vikings may seek Jonathan Taylor from the Indianapolis Colts. Taylor has indicated he is preparing to leave Indianapolis, making a move to Minneapolis a logical step. The Jacksonville Jaguars are also in the market for offensive line help, potentially targeting Grover Stewart from the Colts. These potential transactions reflect the urgency for teams to address gaps before the deadline.
Other notable performances included Shedeur Sanders of the Cleveland Browns, who started against the New Orleans Saints. He completed 19 of 31 passes for 297 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. He was sacked five times for 37 yards. Sanders also rushed for 28 yards on 10 carries. His performance included three completions on throws of 30 or more yards, a metric where his predecessor Deshaun Watson has struggled all season.
Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams continues to face scrutiny despite a 20-13 win over the Washington Commanders. He threw an interception while targeting Puka Nacua, who finished with 14 catches for 150 yards and a score. Stafford has nine interceptions through nine games. His completion rate on throws of 20 or more yards has dropped to 24%, down from 43% in the 2025 season. His touchdown-to-interception ratio on those deep passes stands at 1-to-3 this year, compared to 10-to-1 last season.
The Philadelphia Eagles suffered their seventh straight loss, falling 19-11 to the New York Giants. They started Joe Milton for the third time this season. He completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards and rushed for 64 yards. The Eagles are now 2-7. The NFC East race remains open, with the New York Giants holding a 5-2-1 record. The Dallas Cowboys beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-23 to stay within striking distance at 4-5.
The Carolina Panthers lost their third straight game, falling to the Denver Broncos. They are now 3-5 but outgained Denver 353 yards to 312. An interception in the end zone sealed the loss. Nico Collins of the Houston Texans recorded a catch that has been identified as a candidate for Catch of the Year, adding to the list of notable individual performances from the week.
