Joe Burrow Returns for Bengals Thanksgiving Day Game vs Ravens
In a much-anticipated move, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to return to the field for the team’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow, a two-time All-Pro, missed nine games after injuring his toe during Cincinnati’s Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
During his absence, the Bengals struggled, going 1-8 with backup quarterbacks Jake Browning and Joe Flacco.
While the offense found some rhythm under Flacco, the defense fell apart, ranking last in the league in scoring defense.
As Burrow comes back, the Bengals sit in third place in the AFC North with a 3-8 record.
Joe Burrow’s Impact on the Bengals
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Joe Burrow’s return feels like a breath of fresh air for Bengals fans.
Last season, he started all 17 games, piling up a league-best 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns—both personal bests.
That kind of performance got him fourth place in MVP voting, which is nothing to sneeze at.
The Bengals’ offense just works better with him at the helm, and honestly, his presence alone could spark something.
Burrow’s Absence and Team Performance
Since Burrow went down, the Bengals have had a rough time getting back on track.
Jake Browning and Joe Flacco tried to fill in, but the results weren’t great.
The team went 1-8 with those backups starting.
Browning especially struggled, with the offense averaging just 12.3 points in his three starts.
Joe Flacco’s Contribution
Joe Flacco joined the Bengals midseason and, honestly, did a bit better than Browning.
With Flacco starting since Week 6, the Bengals averaged 27.2 points per game—so at least the offense came alive a little.
Flacco’s experience helped, but it just wasn’t enough to get more wins on the board.
Defensive Struggles
Even with the offense improving, the Bengals’ defense has been a glaring problem.
They’re dead last in the league for scoring defense, giving up an average of 32.7 points per game. That’s just brutal.
Looking Ahead: Thanksgiving Day Matchup
The Bengals are gearing up for their Thanksgiving Day game against the Baltimore Ravens, and all eyes are on Joe Burrow.
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His return is expected to give the team a much-needed boost.
Right now, the Bengals sit at 3-8 in the AFC North, and a win against the Ravens could at least give them a glimmer of hope.
Key Factors to Watch
- Joe Burrow’s Performance: Can Burrow shake off the rust and deliver after his injury? That’s the big question.
- Offensive Strategy: With Burrow back, do the Bengals go for a more aggressive approach? Maybe it’s time to take some risks.
- Defensive Improvements: The defense needs to step up—plain and simple—if the Bengals want any shot at turning things around.
Joe Burrow’s return definitely shakes things up for the Cincinnati Bengals. Having him back on the field should give the team a real boost and maybe even calm things down after a rocky stretch.
Still, the defense needs work—there’s no getting around that. If the Bengals want to actually win more games, they’ve got to figure out how to tighten things up on that side of the ball.
Thanksgiving Day brings a big test: the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals are hoping this is the turning point, the moment they climb back into the AFC North race. Is it possible? Well, with Burrow, you never know.
Curious for more about Burrow’s comeback and the Bengals’ season? Check out the full story at the New York Times.