The Cincinnati Bengals entered Week 13 on Thanksgiving night with more questions than answers, a disappointing 4–8 record, and a fan base unsure whether the season had already slipped away. But when Joe Burrow walked back onto the field for the first time since undergoing turf-toe surgery in September, everything changed in an instant. The swagger returned. The offense clicked. The defense fed off the momentum. And in a shocking 32–14 dismantling of the division-leading Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati suddenly looked like the team the NFL expected them to be when the season began.

Burrow didn’t just return — he reignited the entire franchise.

Now, with five games remaining, the Bengals are trying to pull off the kind of miracle playoff push that would have seemed impossible a week ago. But while hope is alive in Cincinnati, Burrow made it clear that the road ahead will be brutally difficult.

A Season Derailed — And Suddenly Revived

The Bengals opened the 2025 campaign 2–0, a welcome change from their historically slow starts. But their momentum ended abruptly in Week 2 when Burrow suffered a turf-toe injury against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The injury required surgery, sidelining the franchise quarterback for more than two months.

During Burrow’s absence, Cincinnati fell apart.

They went 1–6 over the next seven games — a stretch defined by inconsistency, frustration, and missed opportunities. The offense sputtered without its leader, failing to capitalize on favorable matchups. The defense had stretches of strong play but too often found itself stuck on the field due to stalled drives and turnovers. Each loss dug the Bengals deeper into a hole.

By Week 12, their playoff hopes were on life support.

Then Burrow returned.

And everything looked different.

Thanksgiving Turnaround: Bengals Dominate Ravens

Against a Baltimore team that had been widely regarded as one of the AFC’s toughest contenders, the Bengals unleashed their best performance of the season. Burrow threw with confidence and precision, showing no signs of rust. His timing with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins looked sharp, and the offensive line played its most disciplined game of the year.

But perhaps the most surprising element was the defense.

After struggling throughout the season, Cincinnati’s defense delivered a physical, aggressive effort — forcing Baltimore into five fouls, multiple stalled drives, and uncharacteristic mistakes. The unit’s energy and discipline set the tone all night.

The Bengals played like a team with something to prove — and like a team that finally had its heartbeat back.

Burrow’s Realistic, Yet Confident Message

After the game, reporters wasted no time asking Burrow the question everyone is thinking about:

Can the Bengals make the playoffs?

Burrow didn’t hesitate, but he didn’t sugarcoat anything, either.

“We know the guys we have in the locker room,” Burrow said.
“We know what we have in front of us; it’s certainly not going to be easy. But the way our defense has played the last several weeks has been extremely positive.”

It was classic Burrow — focused, steady, proud of the win but unwilling to drift into fantasy.

He didn’t promise miracles. He didn’t pretend the Bengals aren’t still in a deep hole. But he made it clear that Cincinnati is not going away quietly.

And with Burrow under center, few teams are eager to face the Bengals now.

Bengals Must Be Nearly Perfect From Here

At 4–8, Cincinnati realistically needs to win out — or at worst go 4–1 — to stay in the playoff hunt. Their remaining schedule is difficult, featuring multiple AFC contenders. But the team believes that with Burrow back, their chances increase dramatically.

Areas That Must Stay Consistent:

• Offensive rhythm: The line must protect Burrow long enough for plays to develop.

• Defense: The unit has to maintain its recent discipline and avoid costly penalties.

• Turnovers: Cincinnati cannot afford to give away possessions like they did earlier in the season.

• Health: After being plagued with injuries, staying healthy will be crucial to any playoff push.

Burrow’s leadership, composure, and ability to elevate the players around him give Cincinnati a chance — but only if the team continues to execute.

Why This Comeback Feels Different

Burrow has engineered second-half surges before. In 2021, he brought the Bengals from borderline playoff team to AFC champions. In 2022 and 2023, slow starts turned into strong finishes.

But this season’s turnaround feels more dramatic because of how bleak the situation looked when Burrow was out.

His absence exposed how dependent the Bengals are on their quarterback — not just his arm talent, but his decision-making, his poise, and his ability to control the tempo of the game. His return elevated every part of the team.

Cincinnati no longer looks like a 4–8 team. It looks like a sleeping giant that just woke up.

A Team Rallying Behind Its Leader

Inside the Bengals’ locker room, there was no hiding the emotional lift Burrow brought.

Players described his presence as “calming,” “energizing,” and “what we’ve been missing.” Coaches praised his preparation, his intensity, and his immediate command of the offense.

The Bengals believe — and that belief begins with No. 9.

Burrow’s message was simple:

Stay focused. Stay disciplined. Keep fighting.

A Long Road Ahead — But a Spark of Hope

The Bengals still face overwhelming odds, but their win over Baltimore offered something that had been missing for weeks:

A reason to believe.

With Joe Burrow healthy and back at the helm, Cincinnati once again resembles the team that has terrified AFC defenses for years.

A playoff run may be difficult. It may require perfection. It may demand everything the Bengals have left.

But as Burrow made clear:

They’re not going down without a fight.