Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has his team in first place in the AFC North with an 8-6 record heading into their Week 16 outing against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens.
For the Bengals, they have been lucky when it comes to the current COVID-19 outbreak within the NFL world. In fact, they have not had a single player test positive during the ongoing outbreak.
In talking to the media Wednesday, Burrow had a hilarious take in explaining the low COVID numbers on the Bengals’ roster. In the process, he ribbed the city of Cincinnati.
“We’re a healthy team, which not a lot of people can say this far into the season,” Joe Burrow said, via Ben Baby of ESPN. “We’ve been lucky as far as injuries and COVID. We’re doing a great job with our COVID protocols. Fortunately, there’s not a ton to do in Cincinnati. So nobody’s going out to clubs and bars and getting COVID every weekend.”
Ouch. Someone give O’Malley’s in the Alley some aloe for that burn (it’s actually a nice spot).
In all seriousness, Burrow might be on to something here. The new variant of COVID-19 is much easier to spread. Hence, why the NFL continues to see near-record daily cases.
Related: Where does Joe Burrow rank among NFL QBs
As for players, they are not drones. They have lives. That does include going out to bars and clubs as well as associating with family members.
- Cleveland Browns: 17
- Houston Texans: 15
- New York Jets: 12
- Baltimore Ravens: 11
- Los Angeles Chargers: 11
- Washingon Football Team: 11
- Chicago Bears: 10
Related: Sportsnaut’s NFL Week 16 power rankings
Joe Burrow and healthy Bengals look for statement win
With that said, Burrow now has an opportunity to push Cincinnati closer to a division title and playoff appearance against the Ravens come Sunday afternoon.
Cincinnati will host a Ravens squad that could very well be without Lamar Jackson (ankle) after he missed last week’s game against the Green Bay Packers. Sure Tyler Huntley played well, but he’s no Lamar Jackson.
- Joe Burrow stats: 68.7% completion, 3,640 yards, 26 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 100.7 rating
While Burrow does lead the league in interceptions with 14, he is leading a Bengals offense that ranks in the top 10 in scoring. Meanwhile, Cincinnati did defeat Baltimore back in Week 7 by the score of 41-17.