The Cincinnati Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night in a game with major ramifications for their playoff hopes. Quarterback Joe Burrow is expected to return after missing action due to a toe injury.

Ahead of the Week 13 matchup, Burrow revealed his thoughts about playing on Thanksgiving.

“You grow up going through Thanksgiving, you have your meals with your family, and then you go and sit on the couch, and, typically, there’s not a lot on, except football. Back in the day, it was Lions and somebody. You go watch Matthew Stafford, throw for 300, 400 yards with Calvin Johnson, and probably lose the game, but it was fun to watch. Those are memories that you have, and so I kind of always wanted to be the person out there,” Burrow said.

#Bengals QB Joe Burrow on playing on Thanksgiving:

“You grow up going through Thanksgiving — you have your meals, and you sit on the couch … watch the Lions vs. somebody, watch Matthew Stafford throw 300–400 yards with Calvin Johnson, and probably lose the game.”😂 pic.twitter.com/fTsagL7ymN

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 25, 2025

Burrow referenced the traditional Detroit Lions home game as one of his holiday memories.

He participated fully in practice leading up to the Bengals’ Week 12 game against the New England Patriots but remained inactive for the loss. Cincinnati’s record leaves minimal margin for error in its postseason pursuit from the AFC North.

The Bengals have two games remaining against the Ravens, who are tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers atop the division. The Thanksgiving game has critical importance for Cincinnati’s season, as a loss would guarantee a losing record and effectively end any playoff aspirations.

A victory could reshape the narrative from offseason planning to evaluating whether Burrow can orchestrate a late-season turnaround and keep the Bengals alive in the AFC playoff race.

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