Is Vontaze Burfict the difference between 3-1 and 4-0?

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick seems to think so, as he told reporters Wednesday:

“Instincts (are) one thing, but just to have him on the field, I definitely feel like that game we lost we wouldn’t have lost if we had him,” said cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick. “He just brings something different. He’s a veteran guy. He’s a guy that’s known out there on the field. And guys have to worry about him. I definitely feel that with the instincts he brings to the game, he’s always one step ahead.”

Whatever one’s opinion on Burfict might be, this one actually makes sense.

Cincinnati’s lone loss came in Week 3 to Carolina, 31-21. The Bengals coughed up 184 rushing yards to Christian McCaffrey while linebackers took bad angles and had no containment — two areas Burfict excels.

More importantly, the Bengals surrendered two rushing scores to quarterback Cam Newton, who gave the defense fits in the red zone. Better discipline and containment from Burfict there could have indeed swung the game.

Still, the Bengals will settle for 3-1 with Burfict back this week. He looked in shape early this week and should see plenty of time on the field Sunday against Miami.

Now Kirkpatrick, Burfict and the rest can work on being undefeated with their vocal leader on the field.