Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has voiced his frustration regarding the 2025 NFL schedule, particularly his desire for the Bengals to participate in an international game and his discontent with repeatedly playing a prime-time game in Baltimore against the Ravens. Burrow highlighted that this matchup marks the fourth consecutive year the Bengals will face the Ravens in prime time, emphasizing a preference for hosting the game in Cincinnati instead.
“It’s not ideal playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight year in prime time,” Burrow remarked, indicating a need for variety in their schedule. The upcoming match will be the third consecutive Thursday night game for the Bengals against the Ravens, a scenario that follows a Sunday game, creating a short turnaround.
Mike North, NFL V.P. of broadcast planning and scheduling, acknowledged Burrow’s concerns, agreeing that such recurring scheduling may not be optimal. North recognized the challenge of altering schedules, noting that it’s not always feasible to address every issue promptly. He expressed that if he had the power, he would gladly change the Bengals’ short-week trip to Baltimore for the Thanksgiving night game.
Despite the scheduling woes, North maintained that the rivalry warranted at least one game to be featured in prime time. “I’m sure Bengals fans would have preferred it in Cincinnati, but it should be fun for you guys to ruin Baltimore’s Thanksgiving,” he quipped, alluding to the intense rivalry between the teams.
Notably, the Ravens have had recent success against the Bengals, winning four games in a row, including the last three home games. The rivalry match will be revisited just two weeks after their Thanksgiving clash, with a 1:00 p.m. ET game scheduled on the Sunday of Week 15.
This year’s schedule offers insight into the challenges and opportunities the NFL faces in balancing fairness and interest in rivalries while also considering fan expectations and player preferences.