What We Learned From the Bengals’ Statement Win Over the Ravens on Thanksgiving Night
There’s something poetic about the Bengals walking into Baltimore and walking out with a win-especially on Thanksgiving Night. This wasn’t just another game.
For Cincinnati, it was personal. The ghosts of past matchups in Baltimore have loomed large: Joe Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury in 2023, a crushing one-point loss in 2024 after leading by two touchdowns.
But this time? This time the Bengals flipped the script.
Let’s break down three key takeaways from Cincinnati’s 32-14 win over the Ravens-a game that reminded everyone why Joe Burrow is still that guy, why this defense might be turning a corner, and why “Money Mac” is back in business.
1. Joe Burrow Is Still That Dude
Let’s set the stage. Joe Burrow hadn’t played since Week 2, when he went down with a Grade 3 turf toe injury.
The Bengals were on the road, playing on a short week, under the bright lights of Thanksgiving Night, against a Ravens team riding a five-game win streak. Meanwhile, Cincinnati had dropped four straight and eight of their last nine.
None of that seemed to matter to Burrow. He didn’t just return-he commanded.
No, it wasn’t a career-best stat line, but it was vintage Burrow in all the ways that matter. Poise.
Precision. Pocket presence.
And a little bit of magic.
In the third quarter, Burrow delivered two touchdown passes that reminded everyone why he’s one of the most complete quarterbacks in the league. The first came on a perfectly placed ball to Tanner Hudson in the back corner of the end zone-against Kyle Hamilton, no less, arguably the best safety in the game right now.
The second? A textbook climb-the-pocket, drop-it-in-the-bucket throw to Andrei Iosivas over the middle, who stumbled into the end zone for six.
Let’s pause there. Tanner Hudson and Andrei Iosivas.
Not Ja’Marr Chase. Not Tee Higgins-who didn’t even suit up.
And yet Burrow still made it work. Chase did finish with seven catches for 110 yards, but it didn’t feel like his usual explosive outing.
That’s the point. Burrow didn’t need a career day from his stars.
He elevated everyone around him.
At 4-8, the Bengals’ record isn’t where they want it to be. But if you’re a Bengals fan, you know this: with Joe Burrow under center, you’ve always got a shot.
The last nine weeks without him proved just how much he means to this franchise. And on Thanksgiving Night, he reminded the league why the Bengals are never out of the fight when No. 9 is on the field.
2. The Bengals’ Defense Is Starting to Find Its Identity
Let’s be clear: this defense isn’t going to be mistaken for the '85 Bears anytime soon. But when they force turnovers?
They’re a different beast. That was the formula in 2005.
That was the formula in 2021. And it was the formula again on Thanksgiving Night.
Cincinnati’s defense forced four fumbles, recovered three, and picked off Lamar Jackson in the fourth quarter. That’s four takeaways in total-and in all four of their wins this season, the Bengals have forced multiple turnovers.
That’s not a coincidence. That’s a trend.
The game-changing moment came when rookie safety Jordan Battle punched the ball out of Isaiah Likely’s hands, stopping a Ravens drive cold. That hustle play didn’t just keep points off the board-it sparked something. This defense has been looking for a tone-setter, and Battle might just be stepping into that role.
Beyond the turnovers, the Bengals' defense did something even more impressive: they controlled the line of scrimmage. Derrick Henry-yes, that Derrick Henry-was held to 60 yards on 10 carries.
Take away a 28-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, and he had just 32 yards on his other nine touches. That’s a win.
Lamar Jackson? He was sacked three times.
The Ravens converted just 3-of-10 on third down and held the ball for only 21 minutes. That’s a recipe for success, especially against one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.
This young Bengals defense still has growing to do. But on Thanksgiving Night, they showed they’re capable of stepping up when it matters. That’s a big step forward.
3. Evan McPherson Is Back to Being “Money Mac”
If there’s one thing Bengals fans have missed, it’s the feeling of knowing a kick is going through the uprights the moment Evan McPherson trots onto the field. That feeling? It’s back.
McPherson was perfect on Thanksgiving Night-6-for-6 on field goals, including a 52-yarder that looked like it would’ve been good from 60. It wasn’t just about the points, though.
It was the confidence. The swagger.
The calm-under-pressure presence that earned him the “Money Mac” nickname in the first place.
And this wasn’t just a one-game resurgence. Four days earlier, McPherson nailed a franchise-record 63-yard field goal against the Patriots.
Back-to-back games, back-to-back statements. He’s heating up at the right time.
With five games left on the schedule and a playoff push still technically alive, the Bengals might need McPherson to come through in the clutch more than once. But if the last two weeks are any indication, he’s more than ready.
Final Word
This win wasn’t just about snapping a losing streak. It wasn’t just about spoiling the Ravens’ Thanksgiving. It was a reminder of who the Bengals are when Joe Burrow is healthy, when the defense is opportunistic, and when the special teams unit is locked in.
They’re not out of the woods yet. But on Thanksgiving Night, the Bengals gave their fans something they haven’t had in a while: hope, swagger, and a reason to believe again.