Burrow Returns as Bengals Clash with Red-Hot Ravens on Thanksgiving
So, this Thanksgiving matchup between the Bengals and the Ravens is shaping up to be one of those games everyone circles on the calendar—partly because of the rivalry, but mostly because Joe Burrow is finally back. Cincinnati fans have been waiting a long time for this moment. Burrow had been sidelined for nine games with a turf toe injury, and during that stretch, the Bengals went just 1–8. It felt like the entire season was slipping away. Now, with him returning for only his third start of the year, there’s a sense of hope—cautious hope, but hope nonetheless.
Meanwhile, things couldn’t be more different on the Baltimore side. The Ravens have been rolling, stacking five straight wins and taking control of the AFC North. Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry, and the rest of their offense have been firing on all cylinders, and this Thanksgiving game gives them a chance to lock themselves into first place for at least another week. A win would keep the Steelers at bay, but a loss could make the division race messy again.
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The game actually opened with Cincinnati getting on the board first—a steady, controlled drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal by Evan McPherson. That opening sequence also gave everyone their first look at Burrow back in rhythm, going 4-for-6 for 34 yards. But the Ravens wasted no time answering. Derrick Henry, who entered the game already brushing up against history, exploded for a 28-yard touchdown run, slicing right through Cincinnati’s defense. That run also pushed him past Jim Brown on the all-time rushing leaderboard, moving Henry into 11th place in NFL history. It was one of those moments where you just know you’re watching something special.
Injuries, as always, added some early drama. Tee Higgins was ruled out with a concussion, which forced young receiver Andrei Iosivas into a bigger role. On Baltimore’s side, undrafted linebacker Chandler Martin went down on the opening kickoff with a knee injury and was ruled out of the game almost immediately.
Weather in Baltimore added an extra layer of challenge—cold temperatures hovering around 41 degrees and wind gusts up to 23 mph—but both teams came in prepared to air it out when needed. With Burrow returning and Jackson in peak form, this always had the potential to turn into a shootout.
On paper, the Ravens entered as favorites, especially given Cincinnati’s struggles on defense. Baltimore’s ability to attack soft spots with Henry on the ground and Mark Andrews in the passing game gave them a clear edge. Many predictions leaned toward the Ravens extending their winning streak, something like a 31–24 kind of finish.
But as we know, football isn’t played on paper. A rivalry game under the lights on Thanksgiving—with Burrow back in action—always has the potential to tilt in unexpected ways. And that’s exactly what makes this matchup so much fun to follow.
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