CINCINNATI – Joe Burrow just set a career high with five touchdown passes. In a week in which he declared Sunday a must-win game, he appeared largely unstoppable in building the Bengals' largest lead of the season in a 41-24 win over the Raiders.

And Burrow was angry.

“Knowing what we have to do to get through this again, a win won’t make or break our season,” Burrow said. “Strive for perfection every day and every game. Until that happens, what’s there to be happy about?”

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Wait, what? On the other side of the press conference, loud music and dancing filled the first victorious home locker room in five games this season.

Chaos filled a week in which receiver Jermaine Burton transformed from a rookie whom everyone praised for his maturation into a larger role after missing Saturday's practice. Tee Higgins, Orlando Brown and Zack Moss were all out. Promising rookie tight end Erick All suffered a knee injury. The defense had scored at least 37 points after the third game this season.

Still, Burrow managed four off-script touchdowns in the red zone, completed passes to eight players and put the team on its back to keep its season goals in sight.

But he asks what there is to be happy about.

“There's a combination of things that I felt like we didn't do well enough,” Burrow said. “I will have my level of play. I will have my idea of ​​what standards we should live up to as an offensive and coaching staff, as myself and as everyone else. If I feel like we're doing it justice, I'll let us know. If I feel like we're not doing it justice, I'll let us know. Good and bad today. We don’t have time to think about the good things we had today.”

Mike Mania!!! (and Griddy #2)

📺: #LVvsCIN pic.twitter.com/eA5UJR7uAK

—Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 3, 2024

When all hell breaks loose, as it did this week with injuries and the Burton crisis, the Bengals can always turn to Burrow. That was the difference on the field on Sunday. Cincinnati didn't have Burrow and the Raiders didn't have it.

Off the field, Burrow began to publicly display the anger and intensity needed for a team that prevailed in the first half of the season. After his fifth touchdown pass, he walked to the sideline looking like someone had just insulted his brother's girlfriend.

After the Bengals' first punt of the day in the third quarter, he stormed off the field with fire in his eyes. He approached center Ted Karras and the offensive line with his arms outstretched and a heated message. He sat on the bench and threw something on the floor. This came after their first punt while they were leading 31-10.

“There were some mental errors in the third quarter that we need to eliminate,” Burrow said.

After the game, a man who chose the moment to speak out chose one because there's a huge game coming up in Baltimore on Thursday night.

“As Joe said after the game, if we want to do anything this season, we have to win on Thursday,” defensive end Sam Hubbard said.

.@joeyb And @drewcal Make things happen.

📺: #LVvsCIN on FOX pic.twitter.com/c1Y6XR12B2

—Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 3, 2024

The quarterback's direction was necessary as Burton's absence increased the difficulty on Saturday. For the third time this season, the Bengals were forced to scrap a significant portion of the game plan with all scheduled practices. They had to do the same in the opener against New England and last week against Philadelphia, both because of training injuries to Higgins.

This sent shockwaves through the dressing room as a player who had slipped into the third round due to character issues and was unable to get on the pitch for the same reasons witnessed one of the worst moments creeping in.

“When you get to this point in your career, you have to grow up,” cornerback Mike Hilton said. “You know what I mean? You're a grown man. Nobody's going to babysit you anymore. We know how talented he is and how much he can help. He needs to grow up and mature and realize that he's the team above himself must ask.”

Coach Zac Taylor said Burton will not be suspended or further disciplined, but the decision to get him healthy must come after his latest violation.

“There were a lot of positive things that people said about him throughout the week and it was true that at the end of the week we just have to do all our business the right way,” Taylor said. “I can sit here and say it was a difficult decision to make him inactive, but given all the information we had, it was absolutely the right decision. He's a guy who's going to have a really good career here. We will support him so that we win and do things right. Today was a necessary step we had to take. We will get him back into the squad and make sure he continues and becomes a professional.”

Taylor said he believes Burton's best days are ahead of him and the Bengals will help him get there. Honestly, Burrow has to be the driving force that helps him. No voice carries more weight or influences every person who walks through these doors. Multiply that by 10 for a rookie receiver.

“We will have discussions,” Burrow said. “Like any young player, you will try to help him in any way you can. As he gets older he will understand things differently. He’s a young man right now.”

That was pretty funny 😂 pic.twitter.com/koALcFgAOq

– Itsnatiboi 🎲 (@marquesharveyNB) November 3, 2024

Combined with Ja'Marr Chase's contract dispute, Higgins' injuries, a 1-4 start, abysmal defense and Burrow's wrist recovery, this can be added to the list of challenges he faces as he tries to lead the Bengals through a season controlling fires.

“Things happen in the offseason,” Burrow said. “The good and great players know when to attack, when it's time to go. Young people have to learn this. Rookies still have to get used to an NFL season. It's not for the faint of heart. It's difficult and challenging and discouraging. It's hard to stay disciplined every day, with the routine and routine of taking care of your body, going to meetings, doing extra work and understanding every game. It is not easy. Because of this, there aren't many great players throughout the league. The big ones know how to deal with it.”

Burrow has once again proven his greatness and is handling the situation without tolerance. The long-standing scouting report on him from his time in Athens, Ohio, at LSU and the NFL is that he is wired differently and that will set him apart from so many who can't keep it up when the pieces come around them at some point collapse around. As he said, the big ones know how to handle it.

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And on Sunday, that meant minimal festivities. Just my cups, venting my frustration and taking an immediate look at Thursday in Baltimore.

“We don’t have time to think about the good we had today,” Burrow said.

For a team that has played without focus or killer instinct this season, this is exactly the kind of mentality, reaction and – oh yes, top-notch playmaking – they needed.

“He’s one of them – and I mean that in the most positive way,” tight end Mike Gesicki said. “He's incredible. His behavior. The way he acts… We go the way he goes. Five touchdowns today. We go.”

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(Photo: Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)