Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) slides after getting a first down in the second half of the NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, at Empower Field in Denver. Cincinnati defeated Denver 15-10. Cincinnati Bengals At Denver Broncos 385

Joe Burrow is having a very strong season with the Cincinnati Bengals. Thanks to his strong showing this past weekend, the second-year quarterback is currently the highest-graded quarterback in the NFL per Pro Football Focus, topping Tom Brady.

While Burrow might not set the world on fire statistically, he completes a high percentage of his passes, is among the league’s top passers for touchdown throws over 20 yards, and has made big plays when it matters. He’s currently has a 68.7 completion percentage with 3,640 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.

At 8-6, the Bengals are locked in a battle for the AFC North crown as only one game separated all four teams at the moment. So it’s imperative that Burrow remain focused on the task at hand. The last thing the team needs is seeing Burrow out in Cincinnati partying all night long and potentially testing positive for COVID-19.

That, according to Joe, won’t be a problem.

When asked why the Bengals haven’t been hit as hard as other teams with positive tests, Burrow said “fortunately, there’s not a ton to do in Cincinnati. Nobody’s going out to clubs and bars and getting COVID every weekend.”

Cheeky. As you might imagine, there were some thoughts on that from the Cincinnati folks and the NFL world.

While he clearly said it with a smile on his face, we’re guessing Joe is gonna have to do a little penance on this one. Maybe make a pitstop at Skyline, at least.

[Ben Baby]

About Sean Keeley

Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Editorial Strategy Director for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.