It isn't often a three-interception day is a memorable one for the right reasons, but Bengals QB Joe Burrow put those turnovers behind him on Sunday and might have positioned himself as a legitimate MVP frontrunner in the process.
Burrow accounted for six touchdowns in an overtime win over the Titans, answering every blow from a surprisingly plucky Tennessee and refusing to let interceptions make him less comfortable throwing the ball.
The Bengals quarterback didn't reach his career-high of 525 yards, but he wasn't far off as Cincinnati earned a 43-36 win.
Here's a look at Burrow's day and how his season totals look after the victory.
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Joe Burrow makes MVP case
Burrow was intercepted three times by Amani Hooker on Sunday, but everything else was just about flawless from the former No. 1 pick. Here are his final numbers:
- Comp-att: 38-48
- Pass yards: 462
- Pass TD: 5
- INT: 3
- Carries: 3
- Rush yards: 10
- Rush TD: 1
Burrow became the first quarterback since 1951 to account for at least 450 yards, five passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a game, according to ESPN Insights.
The Bengals needed every bit of that production, as they trailed by more than a field goal before Burrow's fourth and fifth touchdowns of the day. The fifth tied the game, and Cincinnati's defense was able to force overtime just to give Burrow a chance at a sixth.
In overtime, Burrow led the Bengals down the field and ran it in himself for the go-ahead touchdown. The Titans couldn't answer.
Through just seven games, Burrow now has 2,115 yards, 20 touchdown passes and six interceptions on the season. Burrow is the first quarterback to 20 touchdowns through the air this season despite already having his bye week, and he is on a 17-game pace of 5,136 yards and 49 touchdowns.
Needless to say, Burrow's interception total might be moot in the MVP race if he does approach those numbers. Josh Allen entered Week 8 as the consensus MVP favorite, but the race appears to be heating up well ahead of the Christmas Day matchup between the two stars.
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