Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals

In the fast-paced, split-second world of NFL football, a quarterback’s ability to make smart decisions can be the difference between a win and a loss—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, Joe Burrow’s decision-making has emerged as the backbone of their offense. Since taking over as the starting quarterback in 2020, Burrow has proven time and again that he can read defenses, adjust plays on the fly, and choose the right option—whether it’s a deep pass to Ja’Marr Chase, a check-down to a running back, or a scramble to extend a drive. His calm under pressure and ability to avoid costly mistakes have turned the Bengals into a consistent playoff contender, even when the offense faces injuries or tough defensive schemes. Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals explores how his strategic choices shape the team’s success, the skills that make his decision-making elite, and why it’s irreplaceable for the Bengals’ championship hopes.

Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals begins with his ability to read defenses and adjust pre-snap. One of Burrow’s greatest strengths is his knack for analyzing opposing defenses before the ball is snapped, then making quick adjustments to exploit weaknesses. This was on full display in the Bengals’ Week 12 win over the Houston Texans: as the offense lined up for a third-and-7, Burrow noticed the Texans were in a zone defense with a gap in the middle. He quickly audibled to a slant route for Tee Higgins, who caught the pass and picked up a first down to keep the drive alive. Later in the game, he recognized a blitz from the Texans’ secondary and adjusted to a quick screen pass to running back Joe Mixon, which turned into a 15-yard gain. “Joe’s football IQ is off the charts—he sees things most quarterbacks don’t,” said Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan. “He studies film for hours, memorizes opponents’ defensive tendencies, and uses that knowledge to make decisions that put our offense in the best position to succeed.” This pre-snap awareness not only creates scoring opportunities but also keeps the defense guessing, making it harder for opponents to shut down the Bengals’ attack.

A critical aspect of Burrow’s decision-making is his poise under pressure—choosing wisely when the clock is ticking. NFL games often come down to the final minutes, and Burrow has a reputation for thriving in these high-stakes moments. In the Bengals’ Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts, with the score tied 24-24 and 2:15 left in the game, Burrow led a 70-yard game-winning drive. On third-and-10 from their own 30-yard line, he faced a heavy blitz but stayed calm, scanned the field, and found Chase open on a deep post route for a 45-yard completion—setting up a game-winning field goal. Another example came in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers: with the Bengals trailing 20-14 in the fourth quarter, Burrow avoided a sack, scrambled to his right, and threw a 20-yard pass to Trenton Irwin to convert a fourth-and-5, keeping the drive alive. “When the pressure is highest, Joe’s decision-making gets even better,” said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor. “He doesn’t rush, he doesn’t force plays—he takes the time to make the right choice, even when defenders are closing in.” This ability to stay composed in crunch time has turned the Bengals into a team that can win close games, a crucial trait for playoff success.

Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals also includes his willingness to check down—prioritizing possession for the Cincinnati Bengals. While Burrow is capable of throwing deep, game-changing passes, he’s also smart enough to recognize when his top targets are covered and choose a safer option. This willingness to check down to running backs or tight ends helps the Bengals maintain possession, avoid turnovers, and keep the offense moving—even when the deep passing game isn’t working. In Week 6 against the Arizona Cardinals, the Cardinals’ secondary focused on shutting down Chase and Higgins, so Burrow shifted his focus to Mixon and tight end Hayden Hurst. He completed 12 check-down passes for 85 yards and a touchdown, keeping the chains moving and helping the Bengals build a 16-7 lead. “Joe doesn’t care about stats—he cares about winning,” said Mixon. “If the best play is a 5-yard pass to me instead of a 30-yard pass to Ja’Marr, he’ll make that throw every time. That’s what makes him such a great leader.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this focus on possession is key; it limits turnovers, keeps the defense rested, and gives the offense more opportunities to score—all critical for winning close games.

Another reason Burrow’s decision-making is so vital is his ability to limit turnovers—avoiding costly mistakes for the Cincinnati Bengals. Turnovers can quickly swing the momentum of a game, and Burrow has made a habit of protecting the football. Through the first 15 weeks of the 2024 season, he’s thrown just 6 interceptions, one of the lowest totals among starting quarterbacks with at least 300 pass attempts. He’s also fumbled only twice, and the Bengals have recovered both. A big part of this is his decision to avoid forcing passes into tight coverage; if his top targets are double-teamed, he’ll either check down or scramble out of the pocket. In Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Steelers’ defense tried to bait Burrow into throwing interceptions with heavy man-to-man coverage, but he stayed patient, completed 22 of 28 passes, and didn’t throw a single pick. “Joe understands that one bad decision can cost us the game,” said Callahan. “He’s disciplined enough to walk away from a risky play and wait for a better opportunity.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this turnover avoidance is a game-changer; it keeps the offense from giving the opponent easy points and ensures that the team can stay in contention even when the defense struggles.

A final element of Burrow’s decision-making is his ability to set the offense’s rhythm—dictating pace for the Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow doesn’t just make decisions about where to throw the ball—he also controls how fast the offense plays, knowing when to speed up to catch the defense off guard and when to slow down to avoid mistakes. In Week 10 against the Cleveland Browns, the Bengals started slow, so Burrow decided to pick up the pace, using no-huddle offense to keep the Browns’ defense from substituting. The strategy worked: the Bengals scored 21 points in the second quarter, and Burrow completed 9 of 11 passes during that stretch. Later in the game, when the Bengals had a 10-point lead, he slowed the offense down, using longer drives to run out the clock. “Joe has a feel for the game that’s hard to teach,” said Taylor. “He knows when we need to score quickly and when we need to hold onto the ball—and his decisions reflect that.” For the Cincinnati Bengals, this control over the offense’s rhythm keeps opponents off balance and ensures that the team can adapt to any situation, whether it’s playing from behind or protecting a lead.

Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals wraps up with why his decision-making is irreplaceable for the Bengals’ future. While the Bengals have talented playmakers like Chase and Higgins, none of them can function at their best without Burrow’s ability to get them the ball in the right spots. His decision-making turns a good offense into a great one, allowing the Bengals to compete with the NFL’s top teams even when they face adversity. As the Bengals push for a Super Bowl title, Burrow’s choices will only become more important—whether it’s in a playoff game against the Buffalo Bills or a championship showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. “Joe is the heart and soul of this team,” said Chase. “Every time he steps on the field, we know he’ll make the right decisions to help us win. That’s the kind of quarterback you need to win a Super Bowl.” Joe Burrow's Decision-Making Key for the Cincinnati Bengals ultimately shows that in football, talent alone isn’t enough—it takes smarts, poise, and the ability to make the right choice when it matters most. For the Bengals, Burrow has all three—and that’s why he’s the key to their success.