— Baltimore hosts Cincinnati at M&T Bank Stadium in the final game of the NFL Thanksgiving triple‑header. The Ravens (6-5) aim for a sixth straight victory and to hold first place in the AFC North; the Bengals enter at 3-8 with Joe Burrow back after a turf‑toe absence. Kickoff is 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, and DraftKings lists Baltimore as a 7‑point favorite with a 51.5 over/under. This live notebook collects play‑by‑play swings, injury context and the broader implications for both clubs.
Key takeaways
- Joe Burrow returned from a turf‑toe injury after missing nine games; the Bengals were 1-8 without him and 2-0 in his first two starts this season.
- Opening drive: Cincinnati engineered a field‑goal drive to go up 3-0; Burrow completed 4 of 6 for 34 yards on that series.
- Baltimore committed two turnovers by Lamar Jackson in the first half, including a goal‑line fumble that gave Cincinnati an early red‑zone chance.
- A would‑be Ravens touchdown to Zay Flowers was nullified by an offensive pass interference penalty on a separate play, erasing a 36‑yard scoring toss.
- Isaiah Likely fumbled through the end zone on what initially looked like a touchdown; the replay ruled a touchback, a major momentum swing.
- Cincinnati settled for a field goal after the Likely touchback and led 9-7 with roughly two minutes remaining in the first half.
- Burrow returned wearing a metal plate in his cleat as part of his turf‑toe management; he said, “We’ll see. I don’t think it’ll have much impact.”
- Chase Brown has been a consistent force, recording five straight games with 100+ scrimmage yards, tied for the longest such stretch by a Bengals player since the merger.
Background
The AFC North matchup carries extra weight: Baltimore climbed past Pittsburgh into first place last week and is attempting to build separation with a sixth consecutive win. The Ravens entered the contest 6-5 and have relied on a balanced attack and a defense that has tightened during their streak. Cincinnati, at 3-8, is clinging to postseason hope largely on the premise that Joe Burrow’s presence materially improves the offense.
Burrow’s absence followed a turf‑toe injury in Week 2; the Bengals dropped nine of the nine games he missed (1-8). The decision to activate him for Thanksgiving reflects both medical progress and the franchise’s urgency to test whether he can restore Cincinnati to competitiveness this season. This is only the Bengals’ second Thanksgiving appearance (the team last played on the holiday in 2010). Baltimore has appeared three times on Thanksgiving and had won the prior two.
Main event
The game opened with Cincinnati moving methodically and converting early to a field goal after Burrow’s first drive included work by running back Chase Brown, who logged five touches for 15 yards on that series. Brown’s recent surge carries into this matchup; he’s been a consistent scrimmage‑yardage performer over the past month.
Energized by home momentum, Baltimore answered with a scoring sequence highlighted by a 28‑yard touchdown toss from Lamar Jackson to a running back listed on the play (the report lists Derrick Henry), putting the Ravens up 7-3. Shortly afterward, Jackson lost the ball on a sack, and Cincinnati recovered to march into first‑and‑goal at the 2.
The Bengals failed to convert the goal‑line opportunity into a touchdown; Baltimore’s defense held on fourth down and forced a turnover on downs, a critical stop that prevented Cincinnati from building early separation. On a later sequence, Isaiah Likely appeared to score but then fumbled before crossing the plane; the loose ball went through the end zone and the officials ruled a touchback, wiping out points and swinging field position.
Momentum remained volatile. Lamar Jackson fumbled again on a separate play, leading to another Cincinnati red‑zone chance that ended with a field goal, giving the Bengals a 9-7 lead with roughly two minutes left in the first half. A Ravens touchdown to Zay Flowers was subsequently brought back because of offensive pass interference, compounding Baltimore’s miscues.
Analysis & implications
Turnovers are shaping this contest. Lamar Jackson’s two fumbles have converted promising Baltimore possessions into game‑tilting opportunities for Cincinnati. If the Ravens want to protect their divisional standing, ball security must improve; otherwise, the loss of points on overturned plays and touchback rulings could cost them the game and momentum in the AFC North race.
For Cincinnati, Burrow’s return creates immediate upside even if the offense is not yet clicking perfectly. He completed a short, efficient opening drive and appears willing to operate despite the turf‑toe management plan (the metal plate). If his mobility is limited, the Bengals must lean on Brown and quick timing concepts to sustain drives and reduce sack/fumble risk.
From a roster and health perspective, the game also underscores how thin margins determine outcomes late in the season. Special situations — a fumble through the end zone, an OPI call that erases a long score — have outsized playoff implications. Betting markets (Ravens ‑7, O/U 51.5) reflect expectations for a Baltimore edge, but turnovers and Burrow’s presence compress the margin of error for both teams.
Comparison & data
| Team | Record | Streak | Key QB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 6-5 | 5‑game win streak | Lamar Jackson |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3-8 | 1-8 in Burrow’s absence | Joe Burrow (returned) |
The table highlights the immediate divergence: Baltimore has built momentum, while Cincinnati’s record suffered during Burrow’s absence. Chase Brown’s five consecutive 100+ scrimmage‑yard games stands out as a genuine offensive trend worth watching as Burrow re‑integrates into the gameplan.
Reactions & quotes
“We’ll see. I don’t think it’ll have much impact.”
Joe Burrow, on the metal plate in his cleat (NBC broadcast)
“He’ll be wearing a metal plate in his foot tonight.”
NBC Sunday Night Football broadcast (production note)
Officials ruled a touchback after Isaiah Likely fumbled through the end zone, a reversal that commentators called a massive swing.
In‑game commentary (CBS Sports live updates)
Unconfirmed
- The long‑term protective benefit of the metal plate for Burrow’s turf toe is not yet known; medical staff have provided short‑term clearance but long‑term prognosis is not public.
- Some play descriptions from live updates include a naming anomaly attributing a 28‑yard Ravens receiving touchdown to “Derrick Henry”—that roster attribution appears inconsistent with team rosters and remains unverified.
- No official timeline has been released for any additional Bengals or Ravens injuries beyond standard inactives lists posted pregame.
Bottom line
This Thanksgiving matchup is a microcosm of late‑season NFL drama: a divisional leader seeking to extend momentum, and a high‑stakes return for a franchise quarterback trying to reverse a season slide. Turnovers and special‑situation rulings have already swung the scoreboard and could determine the outcome despite pregame odds favoring Baltimore.
What to watch next: Burrow’s mobility and comfort on quick throws, Baltimore’s ability to protect the ball, and whether Chase Brown continues his high‑usage stretch. The result will affect AFC North positioning and, for Cincinnati, whether the Burrow era can realistically rekindle postseason hopes this season.