Lead
On Nov. 27, 2025 in Baltimore, Joe Burrow returned from injury and threw two second-half touchdown passes as the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Baltimore Ravens 32-14. The Ravens, who entered the game on a five-game winning streak, turned the ball over five times, including three first-half fumbles, which proved decisive. Cincinnati improved to 4-8 while Baltimore fell to 6-6. Burrow finished 24 of 46 for 261 yards after missing games with a turf-toe injury.
Key Takeaways
- The Bengals beat the Ravens 32-14 on Nov. 27, 2025, snapping Baltimore’s five-game win streak.
- Baltimore committed five turnovers, including three first-half fumbles that shifted field position repeatedly.
- Joe Burrow, returning from turf-toe injury, completed 24 of 46 passes for 261 yards and two second-half TDs.
- Lamar Jackson was 17 of 32 for 246 yards and had three turnovers (two fumbles, one interception).
- Tanner Hudson caught a one-handed 14-yard TD; Andrei Iosivas added a 29-yard scoring reception.
- Derrick Henry opened scoring with an 18-yard TD run for the Ravens on their first drive.
- Injuries: Bengals LB Brian Asamoah II suffered a knee injury; Ravens missed CB Nate Wiggins (foot) in the second half and LB Chandler Martin sustained a knee injury.
Background
The Ravens entered Thursday’s matchup having recovered from a 1-5 start and were tied atop the AFC North with Pittsburgh after a five-game win streak. Baltimore’s renaissance relied on a run-heavy attack featuring Derrick Henry and the mobility of Lamar Jackson, but recent wins over Cleveland and the Jets showed an offense that was effective but not dominant through the air.
The Bengals, at 4-8, came into Baltimore as underdogs and had struggled most of the season against both scoring and turnovers on defense. Cincinnati’s offense had been limited while Burrow recovered from a turf-toe injury that sidelined him since Week 2; his health and timing were focal points for the club’s short-term prospects.
Main Event
The Ravens struck first when Derrick Henry raced for an 18-yard touchdown on Baltimore’s opening possession, briefly giving the home team a 7-3 lead. Jackson looked spry on the ground early but his passing proved erratic as the night unfolded, compounded by pressure from a Bengals defensive front that routinely disrupted the pocket.
Baltimore’s miscues began to mount: Jackson was stripped on a sack leading to Cincinnati possession at the Baltimore 2, Isaiah Likely fumbled before the goal line and the ball went through the end zone, and an apparent Zay Flowers score was nullified by offensive pass interference. Those events turned promising drives into turnovers or lost points for the Ravens.
Despite the Raven errors, Cincinnati managed only a 12-7 halftime lead as Burrow miscued on a few throws in his first game back. In the second half Burrow and his receivers found rhythm — Tanner Hudson hauled in a spectacular one-handed 14-yard touchdown, and late in the third quarter Burrow connected on a 29-yard TD pass to Andrei Iosivas to extend the margin.
Baltimore drove into Bengals territory after that score, but a deflected Jackson pass was intercepted by Demetrius Knight Jr., marking Jackson’s third turnover of the night and effectively extinguishing the Ravens’ momentum. Cincinnati added a field-goal cushion and closed the game while Baltimore’s offense struggled to convert possession into points.
Analysis & Implications
Turnovers decided this game. Baltimore’s five giveaways — three fumbles in the first half alone — surrendered field position and erased scoring opportunities. While Cincinnati did not convert every turnover into points, the cumulative swing favored the visitors and forced the Ravens into a more conservative second-half approach.
Burrow’s return alters Cincinnati’s short-term outlook; his 261 passing yards and late two TDs showed the offense’s upside when he has time and targets running clean routes. The performance won’t erase Cincinnati’s defensive struggles over the season, but it provides a clearer gauge of what the offense can achieve if Burrow remains healthy.
For Baltimore, the loss exposes continued ball-security and pass-protection concerns. Jackson’s mobility remains an asset, but three turnovers and an unsteady passing night highlight vulnerabilities behind an offensive line having an inconsistent season. Those issues may complicate playoff positioning as the AFC North tightens toward December.
Looking ahead, Cincinnati travels to Buffalo on Dec. 7, where offensive efficiency and protection against a strong Bills pass rush will be critical. Baltimore returns home to host Pittsburgh on Dec. 7; the Ravens must clean up turnovers and shore up protection to avoid another costly defeat in a key divisional stretch.
Comparison & Data
| Category | Bengals | Ravens |
|---|---|---|
| Final score | 32 | 14 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 5 |
| Joe Burrow | 24/46, 261 yards, 2 TD | — |
| Lamar Jackson | — | 17/32, 246 yards, 3 turnovers |
The table highlights the decisive gap in turnovers and the near parity in passing yardage; Cincinnati converted enough opportunities to build a multi-score lead while Baltimore’s five turnovers erased its own scoring chances. Those turnover differentials often predict outcomes more reliably than total yardage in single games.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach and player comments underscored the game’s turning points and emotional stakes. Postgame remarks focused on ball security for Baltimore and on Burrow’s return impact for Cincinnati.
“We came out with the urgency we needed, and the turnovers hurt us tonight. We have to clean that up moving forward.”
Ravens coach (postgame presser)
That remark contextualized Baltimore’s view that the game was self-inflicted, emphasizing turnovers as the principal cause of the loss and signaling a need for immediate corrections before divisional matchups.
“It felt good to get back out there. We made plays when it mattered in the second half.”
Joe Burrow (postgame interview)
Burrow’s comment captured Cincinnati’s perspective: an encouraging offensive return that combined with opponent mistakes to produce an upset and provide momentum for the team’s upcoming schedule.
Unconfirmed
- Reports that Nate Wiggins’ absence in the second half was due to a suspension have not been substantiated; team sources cite a foot issue. This remains unverified.
- Early postgame social-media speculation about a season-ending injury for Brian Asamoah II has not been confirmed by the Bengals’ medical staff.
Bottom Line
Cincinnati’s 32-14 victory in Baltimore was shaped less by superior offense than by turnovers and timely plays after Joe Burrow’s return. The Bengals benefited from five Raven turnovers and made enough plays, notably Hudson’s diving TD and Iosivas’ long catch, to build and protect a lead.
For Baltimore, the game is a warning sign: ball security and pass protection must improve quickly as divisional and playoff-range games loom in December. Both teams head into Dec. 7 matchups that will influence their postseason trajectories.