Burrow Returns as Bengals and Ravens Clash Under the Thanksgiving Lights
Alright, let me break down this Thanksgiving showdown between the Bengals and Ravens in a way that feels like we’re talking through it right now, because this one comes with plenty of drama on both sides.
So, imagine the stage: a chilly Thanksgiving night at M&T Bank Stadium, prime time lights on, the holiday crowd buzzing, and two AFC North rivals stepping into a matchup carrying massive stakes. The Bengals come in at 3-8, the Ravens at 6-5, and both teams are looking for answers — but for totally different reasons.
Also Read:The first big storyline centers on Joe Burrow. His toe injury from Week 2 feels like ancient history at this point, and after 75 days on the sideline, he’s finally back. That alone brings a huge shift in the Bengals’ energy. But the question hanging over everything is simple: is it too late? Cincinnati has gone 1-8 without him, and their playoff hopes are hanging on by threads that look more like dental floss. Still, the math says winning the next three gives them a chance, however slim. What makes it tougher is facing Baltimore twice in just over two weeks — and Burrow has to do it without Tee Higgins, who’s still out with a concussion.
But there’s a bright spot: Ja’Marr Chase is back, and historically, Burrow has lit up the Ravens. Last year alone he dropped 820 yards and nine touchdowns on them. Plus, Burrow has always been a late-season guy. Once Week 12 hits, he tends to settle in, averaging nearly 300 passing yards with a crazy 49-15 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Even so, this Ravens defense isn’t the same unit he saw last season. Over the past six games, they’ve tightened up significantly, so he’s expected to be tested early — especially with Baltimore eager to find out just how healthy that toe really is.
Now on the flip side, Lamar Jackson is dealing with his own challenges. Normally, he practically lives in the Bengals’ nightmares — 22 touchdowns, four picks, almost 800 rushing yards against Cincinnati in his career. But recently he hasn’t looked like that guy. Injuries have piled up: toe, ankle, knee. Since returning, he hasn’t quite regained that signature explosiveness. His completion percentage has dipped, his passing yards have trended low, and even his legs haven’t been the same factor. And now he’s facing a Bengals defense that, weirdly enough, put together one of its best performances of the season just last week with a pick-six and a couple of goal-line stands. But doing that again without Trey Hendrickson is a big ask.
All of that sets up a fascinating question heading into this Thanksgiving night clash: Is this the moment Burrow reignites the Bengals’ season, or is it the night Lamar finds his rhythm again?
Either way, it’s the kind of matchup that feels like it could tilt the AFC North — or at least spark a late-season surge for one of these teams.
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