But Anderson beat Fouts in their two biggest games. The year before at The Murph, Anderson rung up a 107.4 passer rating to best Fouts’ 352 yards in another wild one, this one won by the Bengals, 40-34.
“That’s the one that gave us home-field for the Freezer Bowl,” Anderson says. “So you’d have to say we earned the right to have the championship game in Cincinnati.”
Two months later at Riverfront Stadium in 59-below wind chill at the AFC title game, Anderson somehow threw two touchdowns while Fouts threw two interceptions to put the Bengals in the Super Bowl.
Anderson had all his weapons that day. He’s hoping Burrow gets to line up wide receiver Tee Higgins Sunday after a game last Thursday night where Chase shot into the NFL lead for yards, catches and touchdowns with his 264-yard, three-touchdown masterpiece while Burrow threw for 428 yards.
“Unbelievable,” Anderson says of Burrow’s season. “And he hasn’t had Tee half the time. He’s got that connection going with Ja’Marr and (tight end Mike) Gesicki has been playing really well. I’m anxious to see what this offense looks like with (if) Tee coming back this Sunday.
“(Burrow) has always been a smart quarterback. He understands protections. He may have to take check-downs, but when he gets the matchups he wants and he’s got a chance to let it go down the field and make a big play, he’ll take it. Get the ball in Ja’Marr’s hands and you never know what big play is going to happen.”
Anderson gets it. He threw 56 times one night against Fouts looking for the big shot, his career high for attempts.
It sounds like hanging in the pocket, looking for the big play no matter the hits, is what Burrow admires about Herbert.
“I think Justin’s great. He’s got one of the strongest arms in the league. He plays football the right way,” Burrow says. “Runs around and makes plays when he needs to. Big, strong guy who can make plays with his legs, too. Tough guy who is going to stand in there and take hits. I’ve always had a ton of respect for him.”
And you know if it takes 56 passes, like it did Thursday night for the second most attempts of his career, Burrow takes the hits, too.
“I think I do a great job of getting the ball out quickly when I have to, but there are certain situations in certain games that you’re going to have to hang in there and make plays and run around and hold the ball a little longer. Trying to make those plays down the field,” Burrow says.
“If I feel like I can take it, you get out and try to make a play and that’s what I’m going to do. I think we’re at that point in the season where that’s needed. It might be a little different mindset first five games. But where we are right now, I think that’s how I’m going to have to play it.”
No doubt his draft day cousin can relate.