The Joe Burrow comeback wasn’t just a return—it was a statement. On Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals dismantled the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, turning five turnovers into a stunning upset that reignited their fading playoff hopes. Burrow, back after missing seven games with a turf toe injury, didn’t just play—he orchestrated a masterclass in poise under pressure, leading a team that had lost eight of its last nine games to its second straight win. The Ravens, once a playoff contender at 6-6, were left stunned, their offense collapsing under the weight of mistakes no team can afford—especially on Thanksgiving.
From Near-Extinction to Momentum
Entering Week 13, the Bengals were 4-8. Dead in the water. The AFC North was a three-team race, and Cincinnati was already five games behind the division-leading Pittsburgh Steelers. Fans had stopped tuning in. Coaches were being questioned. But something shifted in Baltimore. The Ravens, playing at home with a 3-4 record, looked like the team to beat—until they didn’t. Burrow’s return wasn’t just about health; it was about identity. For seven weeks, the Bengals had floundered without their leader. Now, with him back, they looked like the same team that started the season 2-0.
“That slim, slim hope alive,” said a CBS Sports analyst on air. And it was. The Bengals didn’t just win—they dominated in the second half, outscoring Baltimore 20-7 after halftime. The third quarter alone was a clinic: 14 points, zero points allowed. The offense moved with rhythm. The defense smelled blood.
The Turnover Tsunami
Five turnovers. That’s all it took. Five chances the Ravens handed the Bengals like birthday gifts. The first came early: a Lamar Jackson pass deflected by Demetrius Knight Jr., intercepted at the 35-yard line. The second? A fumble by Chris Steven Perine Jr. on a screen, recovered by Cincinnati’s defense. The third? A miscommunication between Lamar Jackson and DeAndre Rico Hopkins—a deep ball sailing over Hopkins’ head, picked off by Demetrius Knight Jr. again. The fourth? A shovel pass that bounced off Mark Jarius Andrews’s hands and into the arms of a Bengals linebacker. And the fifth? A desperation heave on third-and-long in the red zone, intercepted once more by Knight.
Five. For a team that had averaged just 1.2 takeaways per game this season, it was historic. For the Ravens? A nightmare. ESPN’s box score noted Jackson’s three interceptions and two fumbles—the worst turnover performance of his career on Thanksgiving. “You can’t win with that,” said former Ravens defensive coordinator Emory Hunt on CBS Sports HQ. “That’s not football. That’s self-sabotage.”
Burrow’s Quiet Dominance
He didn’t throw for 400 yards. Didn’t run for 80. But Burrow was surgical. 24 of 31 passes. Two touchdowns. Zero interceptions. His connection with Noah Edward Fant was the key—three catches, 52 yards, a 12-yard touchdown that gave Cincinnati a 16-7 lead late in the third. He scrambled twice for first downs, including a 14-yard run that broke a tackle and ignited the sideline. His pocket presence? Impeccable. His timing? Perfect. He wasn’t just back—he was better.
“He didn’t look rusty,” said a Bengals offensive lineman after the game. “He looked like he never left.”
The Ravens’ Collapse
The Ravens’ offense, once the league’s most explosive, looked lost. Jackson, who had thrown just six interceptions all season before this game, now had nine in his last four. His receivers dropped passes. His offensive line gave up four sacks. Even Mark Andrews, who set a franchise record for career receptions during the game, couldn’t carry the load alone. The Ravens’ defense, ranked top-five in the NFL entering the week, gave up 32 points and 412 yards. They were outcoached, outplayed, and outclassed.
“We just didn’t execute,” said Ravens head coach John Harbaugh in his postgame presser. “We didn’t protect. We didn’t catch. We didn’t tackle. That’s on me.”
What This Means for the AFC North
The win moves the Bengals to 5-8. Still far from playoff contention, but now just one game behind the Cleveland Browns and two behind the Ravens. With four games left—including a home game against Pittsburgh and a road trip to Cleveland—their fate is no longer in the hands of others. The Steelers (6-5) still lead, but the Ravens’ loss opened the door. And now, with Burrow back, the Bengals are no longer an afterthought.
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. They’ve lost two of their last three. Their next three games? Against the Bengals, Steelers, and Browns. A 1-2 finish now seems likely. The Thanksgiving loss didn’t just cost them a game—it cost them momentum, morale, and maybe their season.
What’s Next?
The Bengals host the Pittsburgh Steelers next Thursday in what could be a de facto playoff elimination game. Burrow’s availability is now a given. The Ravens, meanwhile, must decide: Is Jackson still their guy? Are they a team in rebuild mode? And will the front office make changes before the trade deadline?
One thing’s clear: Thanksgiving didn’t just deliver pie and leftovers. It delivered a turning point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Joe Burrow’s return impact the Bengals’ offensive performance?
Burrow’s return transformed the Bengals from a stagnant offense into a dynamic one. Without him, Cincinnati averaged just 16.3 points per game. With him, they scored 32 against Baltimore—his precision passing and decision-making opened lanes for Chris Perine Jr. and unlocked Noah Fant as a primary target. His 24-of-31 completion rate and zero interceptions showed elite control, something missing since Week 2.
Why were the Ravens’ five turnovers so decisive?
Turnovers directly led to 21 of Cincinnati’s 32 points. Three interceptions and two fumbles gave the Bengals short fields—two touchdowns came from drives starting inside their own 30-yard line. Baltimore’s offense, which thrives on time of possession, was limited to just 22:17 on the clock. Five turnovers in a single game is rare; doing it against a team with a 4-8 record turned a potential close game into a rout.
What does this loss mean for Lamar Jackson’s MVP candidacy?
Jackson’s MVP chances are effectively over. After throwing just six interceptions all season, he now has nine in his last four games—with three on Thanksgiving alone. His passer rating dropped to 84.2, his lowest since 2022. The Ravens’ offense, once ranked top-three, now ranks 18th. Consistency matters in MVP voting, and Jackson’s recent mistakes have overshadowed his talent.
Can the Bengals still make the playoffs?
It’s mathematically possible, but unlikely. They need to win all four remaining games and get help from other teams. Their path now depends on beating Pittsburgh and Cleveland, while hoping the Ravens lose at least two of their final three. Even a 9-8 record may not be enough—the AFC’s playoff cutoff is currently 10 wins. Still, this win proves they’re not done.
How did the Ravens’ Thanksgiving loss compare to past holiday failures?
This was Baltimore’s worst Thanksgiving loss since 2018, when they lost 27-3 to the Steelers. It’s the first time since 2009 they’ve lost a Thanksgiving game by 18+ points. Historically, the Ravens are 6-4 on Thanksgiving, but this defeat was the most damaging—coming at home, against a division rival, with playoff implications on the line. Fans called it the “Thanksgiving Collapse.”
What role did Demetrius Knight Jr. play in the outcome?
Knight, a 24-year-old cornerback, had two interceptions—both off Lamar Jackson—and was credited with a forced fumble. He was the only player on the field to intercept Jackson more than once. His third-quarter pick-six was the turning point, giving Cincinnati a 19-7 lead. Knight, who entered the game as a backup, became the story of the day—his performance was the most impactful by a defensive back in the AFC this season.