Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) walks off the field after the victory over the Atlanta Falcons at Paycor Stadium. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Joe Burrow's historic day has Cincinnati finding its groove at the right time

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 10/23/22

Joe Burrow threw for 325 yards on Sunday... in the first half. He finished the game with 481 yards as the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Atlanta Falcons 35-17. It's safe to say the Bengals' offense is back.

The team's performance through seven games is mirroring how their season began last year. In 2021, the Bengals averaged 22.8 points through their first five games, failing to put up more than 30 points in any game. They then put up at least 30 points in three weeks in a row and averaged 28.8 points over their final 12 games.

Through five games in 2022, the Bengals averaged 21.6 points. They've scored over 30 points in back-to-back games, averaging 32.5 points.

Cincinnati tallied 536 yards on Sunday, with Burrow and the offense picking up where it left off in New Orleans.

THAT'S how you start a football game.#ATLvsCIN | FOX pic.twitter.com/2Zgb01VCeg
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 23, 2022

*chef's kiss* #ATLvsCIN | FOX pic.twitter.com/9UhTUm7DvO
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) October 23, 2022

The Bengals jumped out to a 21-0 lead before the Falcons fought back to make the game a little more interesting. They didn't do enough to overshadow Burrow's brilliance.

Cincinatti nearly had three 100-yard receivers on Sunday. Tyler Boyd led the way with eight catches for 155 yards and one touchdown. Ja'Marr Chase added eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns and Tee Higgins hauled in 5 catches for 93 yards.

Per Stat Muse, Burrow became the first player in NFL history to have multiple games of 500 total yards and four touchdowns.

Joe Burrow today:

34/42
501 TOT YDS
4 TOT TD

He is the first QB in NFL history with multiple 500/4 games in his career. pic.twitter.com/O4X7l84Zi4
— StatMuse (@statmuse) October 23, 2022

The Bengals' offense is finding its rhythm at the same point of the season when they began their ascendence last year. Burrow and the Bengals are hoping history continues to repeat itself.

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