Joe Burrow, the best quarterback in the world?

Zac Taylor didn't mince words ahead of the Cincinnati Bengals' game against the Atlanta Falcons, which took place Sunday at the legendary Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid.

“As a football player, he's arguably the best passer in the world,” the head coach said of Joe Burrow.

Such praise is often met with skepticism, but Burrow's stats back it up. The quarterback has thrown 13 touchdown passes in his last three games. He leads the NFL with 20 touchdown passes, and his 2,115 yards and 111.6 passer rating place him in the league's top 5.

A Seven-Year Partnership

Taylor has been coaching Burrow since his arrival in the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in 2020, one year after Taylor's own hiring in Cincinnati. By his second season, Burrow had led the Bengals to Super Bowl LVI, which they lost in the final seconds to the Los Angeles Rams.

Despite several serious injuries, he has racked up 22,925 yards and 177 touchdown passes in the regular season. His 68.9% completion rate is the best in NFL history among eligible passers. He has also twice won the award for best return and participated in three Pro Bowls.

Taylor even joked that he was solely responsible for his quarterback's success.

In Top Form Ahead of Madrid

Burrow has had a few tougher games, including a 22-17 loss to the Jaguars. But he was spectacular in the 43-36 overtime victory against the Titans, throwing for 462 yards and five touchdown passes before running in the game-winning touchdown himself, despite three interceptions.

With a 5-2 record—their best start since 2021—the Bengals arrive in Madrid in top form. They've also won their last three matchups against Atlanta. The Falcons (3-5), meanwhile, were shut out in Tampa Bay last week.

“I think you'll get a chance to see that this weekend,” Taylor said.

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