Kelsey Conway, Cincinnati EnquirerFri, November 28, 2025 at 7:05 AM UTC·3 min readBALTIMORE – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s return gave the franchise exactly what they needed – a pulse.
The Bengals were riding a four-game losing streak heading into their Thanksgiving game in Baltimore. It was as if the NFL scripted Burrow’s return to happen when it did.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementA familiar place for Burrow on a Thursday night where he’s played three years in a row against a defense he’s carved up year in and out.
And for the first time since 2022, Burrow came out victorious against the Ravens. Burrow completed 24 passes on 46 attempts for 261 yards and two touchdowns and led the Bengals to a 32-14 win over the Ravens.
“There’s a lot that has gone into this, I’m proud to be back,” Burrow said following the game.
Burrow underwent toe surgery for his Grade 3 turf toe injury on Sept. 19 and was given a three month timeline to return. Following the procedure, he attacked his rehab with one goal in mind: To play again in the 2025 season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt will certainly be Thanksgiving to remember for Burrow and the Bengals as Cincinnati is now back in the AFC North hunt. The Bengals are 3-1 in their division and 4-8 overall. This brings them 2.5 games behind the first place Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) and two games behind the Ravens (6-6).
The AFC North team with the best overall record will win the division unless a tie occurs. If that happens, the team with the best division record will win it and host a playoff game.
How Joe Burrow looked in his first game since undergoing toe surgery
For majority of the game, Burrow didn’t look like a quarterback who’s missed the last nine games and the Bengals were ready to let him go full throttle. Burrow underwent toe surgery for his Grade 3 turf toe injury Sept. 19.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBurrow’s 32 pass attempts in the first half of Cincinnati’s win over Baltimore were the second most of his career in a first half of a game. Burrow attempted 36 passes against the New England Patriots in 2022.
He admitted he was rusty in the first half and expected more from himself. But as he shows each year, Burrow plays better as the year goes on. As a process-oriented quarterback, sometimes it takes him a few games to get into a rhythm where he’s seeing the field as well as he does in December.
“I thought (in the) second half I started to put it more where I wanted and settled in a little bit,” Burrow said. “Certainly missed some throws early that I typically make. But after that, I felt pretty comfortable back there. I thought the offensive line did great, we ran it well. Obviously (our) defense played great, I’m just going to keep getting better.”
Can the Bengals make the playoffs?
The Bengals go as Burrow goes and his performance on the road in a hostile environment with no full speed practice reps this week exemplifies his raw talent. Burrow was a full participant in practice on Nov. 19 and Nov. 20.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe was limited on Nov. 21 and ultimately Bengals coach Zac Taylor decided to sit him for Cincinnati’s Week 12 contest against the New England Patriots to ensure Burrow could play against the Ravens on Thanksgiving.There’s still a lot of football to be played and the Bengals have a lot of work to do as they try to dig themselves out of the hole they created themselves with losses to the New York Jets and Chicago Bears, but they have a chance because of one player.
And everyone inside the Bengals’ locker room knows it.
“That’s who he is… I can’t say enough about No. 9,” center Ted Karras said.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Bengals playoff chances with Joe Burrow back at QB | Analysis
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