On Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers are due to face one of the best quarterbacks of their schedule in rookie Joe Burrow.
“He’s as good as advertised,” Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said in his weekly press conference on Tuesday. “His physical talents are one thing, and they are rock-solid. This guy can make every throw, his accuracy his exceptional.”
Though the Bengals sit at 2-5-1 and last in the AFC North, Burrow enjoys a record-setting season. In eight games, the rookie is 221-for-330 (67 percent) with 2,272 yards passing (eighth-most in the NFL), 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Not only is Burrow the top-ranked rookie quarterback, he’s the top-ranked overall player of the 2020 NFL draft class.
According to the Pro Football Focus QB position grades, Burrow is the highest-ranked quarterback in the AFC North. He’s ranked two spots (13) above Ben Roethlisberger (15).
Tomlin also noted Burrow’s mobility factor, of which the Steelers should anticipate the Bengals taking full advantage. Burrow has rushed for 130 yards and three scores. “His mobility is really underrated,” said Tomlin. “He’s an easy mover who can escape and create. They also have some designed quarterback runs that are challenging in the red zone.”
To Pittsburgh’s benefit, however, Cincinnati’s offensive line is porous and ranked at 31. They’ve allowed Burrow to be sacked 28 times — tied for second-most with New York Giants’ Daniel Jones. The rookie has also fumbled eight times and lost three.
Both the Steelers’ pass-rush and coverage units had better be on high-alert on Sunday.
