Joe Burrow is more consistent, elite and makes less ‘spectacularly bad’ errors than Patrick Mahomes, according to NBA and NFL expert Skip Bayless.
Mahomes has led his Kansas City Chiefs to the AFC West division title and is firmly in the MVP conversation following another impressive season. The 27-year-old - who won the 2018 MVP award - has thrown for NFL-best marks in passing and scoring with 4,720 yards and 37 touchdowns so far in 2022.
However, after leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl last season, Burrow has taken another step forward. The 2020 first overall pick has thrown for 4,260 yards as well as 34 touchdowns - which places him behind only Mahomes in both metrics.
Regardless of the stats, FOX Sports analyst Bayless suggested Burrow is better than Mahomes. He claimed Burrow is more elite than the Chiefs quarterback while he performs at a more consistent level.
“Joe Burrow is just a little bit better than Patrick Mahomes,” Bayless told co-host Shannon Sharpe on Undisputed. “He plays the position more consistently and elite-ly than Patrick Mahomes. He doesn't play it as spectacularly, but Mahomes has way too much spectacular great and spectacular bad.
“The Bengals are on an 11-2 roll since they started 0-2. I'm looking at the fact these two have faced each other three times now and Burrow is 3-0.”
Mahomes and Burrow first faced off in the Bengals’ dramatic 34-31 win last season, with the former LSU superstar completing 30 of his 39 attempts for 446 yards and four touchdowns. The win invigorated the Bengals and they went on to defeat the Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium, with an overtime kick from Evan McPherson sending them to Super Bowl LVI.
Earlier this month, Burrow and co. defeated Mahomes once again, with the 26-year-old throwing for more yards and touchdowns to help Cincinnati to a 27-24 win. Across his three matches against Kansas City, Burrow has completed 72% of his passes to the tune of eight touchdowns and an interception.
The 11-4 Bengals currently sit atop the AFC North and could clinch the title if they defeat the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football. It will be a big test of their Super Bowl credentials, as Buffalo are considered one of the favourites to win the Lombardi Trophy while quarterback Josh Allen is in the MVP race.
Mahomes’ 12-3 Chiefs face off against the hapless Denver Broncos on Sunday before ending their regular season with a trip to Las Vegas to clash with the 6-9 Raiders.
