Another Bengals season is teetering without Joe Burrow, and the pattern under Zac Taylor has become impossible to ignore. Since Taylor took over in 2019, Cincinnati’s fortunes have tracked almost perfectly with Burrow’s health.

Taylor’s tenure began at 2-14, which at least yielded the No. 1 pick used on Burrow after his Heisman and national title run at LSU. A torn ACL cut Burrow’s rookie year short, foreshadowing a career arc where availability has often determined the Bengals’ ceiling.

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When Burrow plays, Taylor’s Bengals are 45-32-1 including playoffs. With anyone else under center, they’re 9-28.

That split is the story. In 2025 alone, Cincinnati opened 2-0 with Burrow before his latest absence. Without him, they’ve gone 1-6.

This isn’t to say quarterback play has been the only issue. Joe Flacco has actually kept the offense afloat in four starts with a 64.7 completion percentage, 313.5 yards per game, 11 TDs and only 2 INTs – numbers good enough to win.

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The problem? A defense flirting with historically poor territory. When you can’t get stops, even competent or explosive quarterbacking can’t bail you out weekly.

Could the Bengals still be losing some of these games with Burrow? Sure. Given the defensive collapse, it’s possible. But the broader history is blunt. Cincinnati under Taylor is competitive with Burrow and nearly automatic losses without him.

Until the defense stabilizes and the roster is less QB-dependent, every Burrow injury or absence will feel season-defining, and 2025 is the latest proof.