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The Bengals stunned the Ravens in a decisive 32-14 Thanksgiving win.
The game marked a triumphant return for Joe Burrow, and the Bengals’ defense punished Baltimore with critical turnovers.
Burrow return lifts Bengals offense
Joe Burrow returned to the field after missing 75 days, and the return couldn’t have gone better. He completed 24 of 46 passes for 261 yards and delivered two second-half touchdown passes.
His first scoring pass found Tanner Hudson on a one-handed grab in the end zone. In the third quarter, Burrow connected with Andrei Iosivas on a 29-yard touchdown.
Ja’Marr Chase returned from suspension to catch seven passes for 110 yards, giving the Bengals a needed boost in the receiving corps.
Meanwhile, kicker Evan McPherson, starved for touchdowns in the red zone early, did all he could, making a career-high six field goals.
Opportunistic defense forces Ravens turnovers
Cincinnati’s defense dominated the night, forcing five turnovers that derailed the Ravens’ rhythm. That included two fumbles and an interception by Lamar Jackson, plus fumbles from other Baltimore players.
Joseph Ossai stood out with two sacks, several quarterback hits, and a forced fumble, his pressure on Jackson set the tone early.
Myles Murphy also disrupted plays, with a key pass defensed that led to the game-sealing interception by rookie Demetrius Knight Jr. late in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens’ turnover trouble started early. Tight end Isaiah Likely fumbled just before he crossed the goal line, the ball rolled out of the end zone for a touchback. That miscue killed what looked like a certain Ravens score.
Baltimore never recovered. They ended their five-game winning streak and fell out of first in the AFC North.
Coach, players’ reactions
Bengals Head Coach Zac Taylor expressed how much the season meant for him and how proud he is of the team.
“That was kind of the first all-around game we’ve played all season, it felt like. It wasn’t perfect by any means, but road divisional wins on Thursday nights never come easy. It started with our defense. The five turnovers – just getting them off the field and giving our offense great field position, getting stops in huge moments when they had a chance to gain some momentum –
I couldn’t be prouder of those guys. Then, the offense picked it up in the second half with some of those touchdowns. Evan McPherson coming up big – six field goals on a day that’s not a perfect day. It was a cold day, a little windy. I thought he hung in there and did a great job for us. I’m really proud of our team.”
Meanwhile, Burrow, the team’s quarterback, also commented on his performance in the game.
“I thought in the second half, I started to put it where I wanted and settled in a little bit. I certainly missed some throws earlier that I typically make, but after that I felt pretty comfortable back there. I thought the O-line did great. We ran it well. Obviously, the defense played great. I’m just going to keep getting better,” Burrow said.
Lastly, Chase, the wide receiver, thought that their “defense has been doing good the past three weeks” and that it gave them “opportunities after opportunities to make a play for each drive and just put a point on the board.”
“They’ve been doing a good job. As far as today, we’ve got to capitalize more off those turnovers. They’re giving us the ball multiple times, we’ve got to capitalize on those,” Chase said.
What this win means: a spark of hope for Cincinnati
The win snapped Cincinnati’s four-game losing streak and snapped the Ravens’ five-game surge. The Bengals improved to 4–8 on the season.
More importantly, the victory may signal a turning point. With Burrow healthy again, the offense looks alive. Combined with a defense that finally showed up, pressuring the quarterback, forcing turnovers, and making timely stops, the Bengals look dangerous again.
The defense forced five turnovers, a tally it had only matched across multiple games earlier in the season. On this night, that unit carried the team, even when the offense stalled in red-zone opportunities.
The Bengals demonstrated the kind of balance they’ll need down the stretch: opportunistic defense, a capable, if conservative, attack led by a healthy Burrow, and a special teams unit that doesn’t slip.
Risks remain, but momentum is back
Despite the blowout, Cincinnati still only managed six field goals and no offensive touchdowns until late. Their red-zone struggles remain a concern.
The Ravens, meanwhile, remain dangerous on the ground — but the Bengals’ defense held Baltimore under 125 rushing yards (excluding one long run).
Still, the psychological impact of this win cannot be understated. With the backup quarterback era over (for now) and the defense restoring pride, the Bengals might be in position to make a late-season push.
Also read:
Worst Cincinnati Sports Weekend: FC Cincinnati Loss Caps Brutal 48 Hours for the City
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