It’s no secret Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been off to a rough start this season before the bye week due to the calf injury he suffered in training camp, then later reaggravated.
Burrow didn’t look like his normal self until Week 5, which coincidentally started a two-game streak for the team to hit 3-3 by the break.
Given the circumstances, it’s interesting to see how Burrow compares to the rest of the quarterbacks in the AFC in ESPN’s Adjusted Total Quarterback Rating (QBR), which “values the quarterback on all play types on a 0-100 scale adjusted for the strength of opposing defenses faced.”
While one stat isn’t everything, it’s a pretty accurate way to get a general idea of how passers have played so far this year, so here’s the rundown.
1. Josh Allen, Bills
Total QBR: 75.1
Allen has thrown 13 touchdowns with six picks while taking nine sacks for the 4-2 Bills.
2. Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins
Total QBR: 74.7
Tagovailoa has led a stunning Dolphins offense with 14 touchdowns and five interceptions, running up a 5-1 record.
3. Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs
Total QBR: 72.6
Mahomes has thrown 11 touchdowns and five picks, averaging 7.1 yards per attempt so far for the 5-1 Chiefs.
4. Justin Herbert, Chargers
Total QBR: 67.8
Herbert stands on nine touchdowns and two interceptions, though the turnovers were still painful for the 2-3 Chargers.
5. Lamar Jackson, Ravens
Total QBR: 56.3
Jackson has been in MVP form for the 4-2 Ravens, with his weapons really letting him down with drops as he sits on five touchdowns and three picks.
6. C.J. Stroud, Texans
Total QBR: 55.5
What a start for the rookie, with his Texans at 3-3 as he’s thrown nine touchdowns with one interception.
7. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
Total QBR: 54.4
Lawerence has seven touchdowns and three interceptions for the 4-2 Jags.
8. Gardner Minshew, Colts
Total QBR: 54.2
In relief for a superstar rookie, Minshew has three touchdowns and interceptions for the 3-3 Colts.
9. Jimmy Garoppolo, Raiders
Total QBR: 48.4
Garoppolo has been a flop for the .500 Raiders, throwing seven touchdowns and eight picks despite Davante Adams playing elite ball.
10. Deshaun Watson, Browns
Total QBR: 46.7
Watson has underwhelmed for the 3-2 Browns despite his enormous contract, throwing four scores and two picks in three appearances.
11. Anthony Richardson, Colts
Total QBR: 45.0
The superstar rookie mentioned earlier, Richardson has three touchdowns and one interception with four more scores as a rusher over four appearances.
12. Joe Burrow, Bengals
Total QBR: 39.9
On the injured calf, Burrow has seven scores and four picks. He’s been a totally different player over the last two games when healthier through, throwing five scores and two picks combined in those wins.
13. Russell Wilson, Broncos
Total QBR: 39.8
Wilson has thrown 12 scores and four picks, the numbers inflated despite a 1-5 record.
14. Zach Wilson, Jets
Total QBR: 37.4
In place of Aaron Rodgers, Wilson has thrown four scores and five picks for the 3-3 Jets.
15. Mac Jones, Patriots
Total QBR: 36.8
The 1-5 Pats have a quarterback controversy of sorts with Jones sitting on five scores and seven picks.
16. Ryan Tannehill, Titans
Total QBR: 34.3
Another rough season for Tannehill, who has thrown two scores and six picks for the 2-4 Titans.
17. Kenny Pickett, Steelers
Total QBR: 33.5
Pickett has led the Steelers to 3-2 and even threw a late touchdown to steal a win, yet QBR isn’t a fan of his five touchdowns, four picks and overall performance so far.
