The Cincinnati Bengals are poised to make a significant impact as quarterback Joe Burrow returns from a lengthy injury hiatus for their Thanksgiving primetime matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Scheduled for Thursday Night Football in Week 13, this AFC North clash features the Bengals (3-8) facing the Ravens (6-5), who have shown impressive form in recent weeks.
With the line set at -7 favoring Baltimore and a total of 51.5 points, this matchup has all the makings of a high-scoring affair. Traditionally, games between these two rivals tend to be electrifying, so fans can expect an exciting night of football starting at 8:20 PM ET on NBC, a departure from the typical Prime Video broadcast for Thursday games.
Historically, the Bengals have only participated in one other Thanksgiving game, suffering a loss to the New York Jets in 2010. In contrast, the Ravens have experienced success on this holiday, holding a perfect 2-0 record in their previous appearances, the last of which was in 2013. The team will don their striking Purple Rising alternate helmets alongside their all-purple Color Rush uniforms, promising a visually captivating game.
Despite the skepticism surrounding Burrow’s return, particularly given his injury history, the Bengals still hold a glimmer of hope for a late-season resurgence. Statistically, there is a mere 0.7% chance that Cincinnati could make the playoffs, with that figure increasing to 2.5% if they secure a victory. While a playoff berth appears to be a steep hill to climb, it’s clear that the Bengals’ management may be reevaluating their strategy moving forward, with discussions about head coach Zac Taylor’s future increasingly prevalent.
On the other side of the field, the Ravens have flipped their season around dramatically after a challenging start. Entering their Week 7 bye with a disappointing 1-5 record, Baltimore has rebounded, now tying with Pittsburgh for the top spot in the AFC North, currently holding the tiebreaker advantage. With a probability of 69.7% for winning the division according to the SportsLine Projection Model, the Ravens are solid favorites at -450.
As the Bengals prepare to take on the Ravens, fans and analysts alike will analyze every strategic move from both teams, including expert betting picks, player props, and injury updates. With Burrow back in action, the stakes are high, and each play will be crucial as Cincinnati attempts to reignite their season against a formidable Ravens squad.