NFL Week 12 overreactions: Chiefs stay alive, Cowboys shock Eagles
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 12 slate.
The Cincinnati Bengals have long been without Joe Burrow at their disposal. That will change on Thanksgiving as they take on the Baltimore Ravens.
Burrow is expected to return to Cincinnati’s lineup after missing the team’s previous nine games with a toe injury. The Bengals (3-8) have gone 1-8 in his absence and will certainly welcome him back with open arms ahead of a critical game against the AFC North-leading Ravens (6-5).
Baltimore is currently on a five-game winning streak that has allowed it to leapfrog the Pittsburgh Steelers in the divisional race. A victory would guarantee the Ravens will remain in first place for at least one more week while a loss for John Harbaugh’s squad would open the door for the Steelers to jump back over them.
Thursday’s matchup figures to be a high-flying one, as Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry have a nice-looking matchup against a weak Cincinnati defense. Meanwhile, Burrow’s return should elevate the Bengals’ offense even without Tee Higgins (concussion) and give them a chance to snap a four-game losing streak.
USA TODAY Sports will be tracking live scoring plays, updates, stats and highlights from the Turkey Day capper. Follow below for the latest developments from Baltimore.
The Ravens were also able to score on their first drive. Henry took a first-down carry and found a seam in Cincinnati’s defense. He got into space, and no Bengals defender was able to bring him down as he found a clear path to the end-zone.
Tyler Loop made the extra point, and the Ravens are now leading.
Ravens 7, Bengals 3
Burrow suffered a significant turf toe injury in the Bengals’ Week 2 game against the Jaguars. He missed nine games as a result of the malady before returning to action on Thanksgiving against the Bengals.
The Bengals went 1-8 in their nine games without Burrow. They were 2-0 in his first two starts of the season.
Martin, an undrafted linebacker, appeared to injure his knee on the opening kickoff of the game. The Ravens have already ruled him out for the remainder of the game.
The Bengals got the ball first against the Ravens and managed to get on the board first. Cincinnati managed to move the ball methodically down the field before calling upon McPherson to attempt a 31-yard chip shot, which he easily made.
Joe Burrow went 4 of 6 passing for 34 yards on the drive, his first since the Bengals’ Week 2 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Bengals 3, Ravens 0
No, Tee Higgins isn’t playing for the Bengals in their Week 13 matchup against the Ravens. The veteran receiver is dealing with a concussion, which will elevate Andrei Iosivas into the team’s No. 2 receiver role across from Ja’Marr Chase.
What time is Ravens vs. Bengals on Thanksgiving?
The Ravens vs. Bengals game kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27.
What channel is Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals?
The Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals game will be broadcast on NBC on Thursday night.
NBC will have its typical “Sunday Night Football” crew in place with one change. Game analyst Cris Collinsworth will be off for the holiday. He will be replaced by Jason Garrett, who will call Thursday’s game alongside Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Melissa Stark (sideline reporter).
Ravens vs. Bengals live stream
NBC’s proprietary streaming service, Peacock, will carry Thursday night’s game between the Bengals and the Ravens. So too will the NFL’s streaming service, NFL+.
The Ravens enter their Week 13 matchup with the Bengals in first place in the AFC North standings. Below is a full look at the divisional pecking order.
- Baltimore Ravens (6-5)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
- Cincinnati Bengals (3-8)
- Cleveland Browns (3-8)
The National Weather Service lists the temperature in Baltimore at 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The low temperature is expected to be around 32 degrees while a 9 to 13 mph wind will blow throughout the game with gusts reaching up to 23 mph.
Yes, Burrow is playing for the Bengals in Week 13. He’s returning for Cincinnati after missing nine games because of a significant turf toe injury he suffered in Week 2.
Thanksgiving will mark Burrow’s third start of the season. The Bengals are 2-0 in Burrow’s first two starts.
Collinsworth won’t be working on Thanksgiving, but his absence was planned. The veteran color analyst is simply taking the holiday off, just as he did in 2024 and has in other seasons.
Jason Garrett will replace him as the color analyst in NBC’s booth and will work alongside Mike Tirico (play-by-play) and Melissa Stark (sidelines).
Ravens vs. Bengals prediction
The good news for the Bengals is that they are getting Joe Burrow back for this game. But will it be enough for them to knock off the Ravens, who are on a five-game winning streak?
Burrow should give Cincinnati’s offense a better chance, but the Bengals defense remains one of the league’s leakiest defenses, especially against the run and against tight ends. The Ravens are uniquely positioned to exploit that with Lamar Jackson, Derrick Henry and Mark Andrews, so Baltimore should be able to extend its winning streak to six and ensure it will remain atop the AFC North for another week. Ravens 31, Bengals 24
Ravens vs. Bengals odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:20 a.m.
- Moneyline (ML): Baltimore -325 (Bet $325 to win $100) | Cincinnati +260 (Bet $100 to win $260)
- Against the spread (ATS): Baltimore -7 (-105) | Cincinnati +7 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 52 (O: -110 | U: -110)
