Joe Burrow Returns in Style, Bengals Keep Playoff Hopes Alive
Joe Burrow didn’t just return - he reminded everyone exactly who he is.
More than two months removed from tearing ligaments in his right big toe, Burrow stepped back onto the field and didn’t miss a beat. On the first play of the second quarter, he was already evading pressure and threading a third-and-11 strike to Ja’Marr Chase - and not just any throw.
This one slipped through a razor-thin window along the sideline, between Ravens defenders Nate Wiggins and Alohi Gilman. That’s not a throw most quarterbacks even attempt.
For Burrow, it was a statement: He’s back.
And just like that, the Bengals’ playoff pulse is flickering again.
Cincinnati Takes Down Baltimore, Gets Help Around the League
The Bengals’ 26-20 win over Baltimore on Thursday night pushed them to 4-8 on the season. Not exactly where they wanted to be at this point in the year, but the AFC playoff picture is murky - and Cincinnati just got a little help.
Buffalo’s 26-7 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday dropped the Steelers to 6-6, the same record as the Ravens after Thursday’s loss. Pittsburgh has now dropped three of its last four games, and suddenly that crowded middle tier in the AFC is wide open.
The Bengals still have work to do, but Week 13 gave them a much-needed jolt. And it started with No. 9 under center.
Burrow’s Return Raises Questions - and Answers Some
There was plenty of debate about whether Burrow should’ve returned at all this season. After all, this is a franchise quarterback who’s missed 23 of a possible 95 regular-season games in his six-year career.
And this team, at 4-8, is still facing a steep climb to the postseason. From the outside, it looked like a situation where shutting him down might’ve made sense.
But Burrow clearly saw it differently. And on the field, it’s hard to argue with the results.
This isn’t the first time he’s battled back from something serious. That ACL tear in 2020, during his rookie campaign, was the kind of injury most NFL players eventually face.
He took it in stride. But the wrist injury in 2023 hit differently - that one took away his ability to throw, even temporarily, and for a quarterback, that’s the kind of thing that shakes your foundation.
Yet here he is again, back in the pocket, making throws that only a handful of guys in the league can make. It’s not just about the physical recovery - it’s the confidence, the poise, the command.
Burrow’s not just playing through pain. He’s playing like a guy who still believes this season means something.
Depth Tested, Defense Still Searching
While the offense showed flashes of its old self, Cincinnati’s defense is still trying to find its footing. For the second straight week, practice squad veteran Jalen Davis was elevated to the active roster. He got the start in last week’s 26-20 loss to the Patriots - a game that looked closer than it really was, thanks in part to Joe Flacco’s pick-six that padded the final score.
The Bengals’ defense has been inconsistent, and injuries have forced players like Davis into key roles. It's not always pretty, but this is the time of year when depth gets tested. And if Cincinnati wants to stay in the playoff conversation, they’ll need more from that side of the ball.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
At 4-8, the Bengals are still on the outside looking in. But with Burrow back and the AFC logjam tightening, there’s a path - however narrow - to meaningful football in January.
The key will be consistency. Burrow looked sharp in his return, but he’ll need help.
The defense has to tighten up. The offensive line needs to keep him upright.
And the margin for error? It's razor-thin.
Still, if Burrow’s return taught us anything, it’s that this team isn’t ready to fold. Not yet. And with their franchise quarterback back under center, the Bengals might just have enough fight left to make things interesting down the stretch.