Jeremy Fowler · Jul 14, 2026
Fowler laid out the results of his composite league-wide quarterback ranking (Josh Allen first, Mahomes second, Burrow fourth, Lamar Jackson fifth, Drake Maye eighth, Jalen Hurts 17th), and said the Bengals would make the playoffs even if their defense is only average because Burrow and the offense can carry them.
“But they were so bad that I think even if they're average, middle of the road defensively, they're gonna be a playoff team.”
said on air, transcribed by us · The Rich Eisen Show (podcast) · read the original →
2 checkable claims from this
Each one is scored on its own against the published methodology. A pundit naming several outcomes is graded on each, not on all-or-nothing.
- Top Player ListsJul 14, 2026
“Josh Allen is the top guy... He got the most first place votes, 41% of the first place votes in this [Mahomes at two]... That's really the reason he's number four [Burrow]... I I I kept, Lamar for the end here. He's fifth... I was surprised that Drake May was number eight in this exercise... 17 is is too too high. I think he should be somewhere more in that 10 to 15 range [Jalen Hurts]”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.
- Playoff PicksCincinnati BengalsJul 14, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs
“But they were so bad that I think even if they're average, middle of the road defensively, they're gonna be a playoff team, and then Burrow on the offense can really do the rest in a lot of ways.”
Not settled yet. This is graded once the season it describes has finished.