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It took all of two games for Joe Burrow to make NFL history.
Making history was a common theme for Burrow during his final season at LSU, which saw him break multiple NCAA passing records while leading his Tigers to a national championship, and he won the Heisman Trophy in the process.
In just his second NFL start, Burrow made NFL history by completing 37 passes against the Browns, which is the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.
Joe Burrow was 37-61 with 316 yards and 3 pass TD on Thursday night.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 18, 2020
According to @EliasSports Burrow's 37 completions are the most in a game by a rookie in NFL history.
His 61 pass attempts are the 2nd most all-time by a rookie quarterback. pic.twitter.com/HAio5K5UM1
In addition, Burrow attempted 61 passes, which is the second-most all-time by a rookie. And with no interceptions, it was the most attempted passes without a pick since 1950.
Joe Burrow is the first rookie since 1950 with 60+ pass attempts and zero interceptions in a game
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) September 18, 2020
Granted, this history was made because the Bengals trailed by double digits much of the night, forcing Burrow and the Bengals to go to the hurry-up, pass-heavy offense we saw late in the fourth quarter of Week 1’s loss to the Chargers.
Unfortunately, Week 2 also ended in defeat, as the Bengals fell 35-30, just four days after losing 16-13.
The good news is Burrow made it out of Thursday’s game with no injury, despite playing behind arguably the NFL’s worst offensive line while attempting about as many passes as the NFL has ever seen from a rookie in its 100-year history.
Burrow’s final line was 37/61 passes for 316 yards and three scores with no pick, good for a 90.6 passer rating.
The Bengals got a good one here, folks.