Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has been a betting hero in road underdog games, going 13-1 against the spread in the last 14 such contests; the only loss in that stretch was the 2023 Thursday night game at Baltimore when he suffered a season-ending wrist injury. The Bengals are currently underdogs against the Houston Texans, but Burrow’s track record suggests they could cover the 2.5-point spread.

Controversial Hit Could Bring NFL Fines

During the Bengals’ 33-27 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, safety Tykee Smith was flagged for a late hit on Burrow. According to the NFL’s rules, players can be fined for late hits or ‘Impermissible Use of the Helmet/Launching,’ with fines starting at $11,941 and $23,882 for first offenses, respectively, according to sportingnews.com. The NFL typically announces fines on Saturday after games, and a decision on Smith is expected on September 19.

Stars Invest in AI Startup, Burrow Among Investors

Joe Burrow joined a list of sports stars in investing in the AI startup Wispr, which raised $280 million in a Series B round led by Menlo Ventures, according to 위키트리. The funding raised the company’s valuation to $20 billion; Burrow was among investors including Shaun White, Klay Thompson, Paul George, and Trae Young — this round added to the $361 million in total funding for Wispr.

Custom Ford Bronco Honors Burrow’s Collegiate Career

Joe Burrow and Ford have collaborated with RealTruck to create a custom 2022 Ford Bronco to be auctioned at Barrett-Jackson. The 4-door Badlands model features a gold and purple wrap in homage to Burrow’s time with the LSU Tigers, including a graphic on the hood, side panel with his jersey number, and tiger stripes on the rear window, according to Hypebeast.KR. The Bronco will be auctioned in Columbus, Ohio, from June 25 to 27, 2026, with proceeds going to charity.

Burrow Vows to Stay with Bengals

Despite the Bengals’ struggles, quarterback Joe Burrow has made it clear he plans to stay with the team — Russell Wilson, another NFL quarterback, noted that if the Bengals do not show improvement, Burrow might consider leaving, according to dazn.com. Burrow has shown confidence in his team and the city of Cincinnati, and he remains committed to leading them back to the playoffs after a four-year absence.

Historic Challenge for Bengals

The Bengals are trying to start 2-0 for the second consecutive season, a feat they’ve only done three times in franchise history, according to si.com, and the only other times were in 2014-15 and 2005-06. Burrow’s performance as an underdog has been key to the team’s success, and the upcoming game against the Texans is a chance for the Bengals to make history.

With Burrow’s combination of on-field success and off-field ventures, the quarterback continues to build a legacy both in the NFL and beyond, and Whether it’s a custom Bronco, a high-profile investment, or a key win on the road, Burrow remains a central figure in the 2026 NFL season.