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Buoyed by the return of quarterback Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals have beaten the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on Thanksgiving.
Playing for the first time since Week 2 after recovering from a toe injury, Burrow threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns.
His counterpart Lamar Jackson had a much tougher night, completing just over half of his pass attempts (17-for-32) and committing three of Baltimore’s five turnovers on the night.
Cincinnati snapped a four-game losing streak to improve to 4-8, while Baltimore saw its five-game winning streak end and fell to 6-6.
Share your reaction with us at live@theathletic.com and check out this week’s live coverage schedule on The Athletic.
The Ravens' loss drops them a half-game behind Pittsburgh for first place in the AFC North.
And don't look now but Cincinnati is only two games behind Baltimore. The Bengals were 4-8 last season as well and ran the table to finish 9-8 and nearly made the playoffs.
Harbaugh: “We did not play a winning football game.”
Bradley S.: Maybe one year we can see Burrow healthy for a full season and see what he can do in the playoffs. Such a shame it’s another waste of a season.
David H.: The entire AFC North should be declared ineligible for the playoffs. Signed, a Steeler fan.
Anonymous: The answer to the whiparound question “what can stop the Ravens from winning the division?” is the Ravens.
Justin G.: Ravens have never had an answer for Chase. Dude absolutely burns them every single game.
Phil W.: Lack of pass rush hurts Baltimore again. We just need to realize we are not a very good team this year.
Justin G.: Ravens need to really do some soul searching in the offseason. That starts with re-examining Harbaugh and Lamar. Injured or not, Lamar isn’t even a top-15 QB right now, let alone an elite one. Burrow is and it shows.
Odds were stacked against the Bengals entering this game with Joe Burrow returning from a two-month absence, playing on a short week, in Baltimore, in prime time.
Yet, five turnovers and a gutsy, mistake-free return from the quarterback flipped the script.
They keep a glimmer of hope alive for the playoffs.
The Ravens' five-game winning streak is over and they're now 6-6. The defense was unable to carry a bad offense tonight. Now, major questions about both units as they head into what could be a must-win game against the Steelers next Sunday.
End Q4 – Bengals 32, Ravens 14
A few runs by Ali and this one is in the books. A huge road win by the Bengals in Joe Burrow's return from injury. A brutal night for Lamar Jackson, who committed three of Baltimore's five turnovers.
Q4 1:06 – Bengals 32, Ravens 14
The Bengals run the ball until they face a fourth down, leading to McPherson kicking a 41-yard field goal, his sixth of the night.
Q4 4:12 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
Jackson hits Flowers over the middle but Davis jars the ball loose and Turner recovers it for the Bengals! That should put this game to bed.
Baltimore has committed five turnovers tonight, four of which have been fumbles.
Q4 4:30 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
The Ravens quickly face fourth-and-2 deep in their own territory, but they move the chains as Jackson connects with Andrews over the middle for 14 yards.
Q4 5:01 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
Perine fumbles the ball in the red zone and Jones recovers it for the Ravens. Baltimore has a shred of hope.
Q4 5:41 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
The hard count almost never works on fourth down but it's more effective on third down. Burrow demonstrates this by getting the Ravens to jump offside on third-and-1, moving the ball into the red zone.
Q4 7:56 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
Facing fourth-and-8 from near midfield, Jackson throws into coverage and Newton bats the pass away for a turnover on downs. The Bengals are in complete control of this game.
Q4 8:15 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
Likely is leading the way for the Ravens on this drive, catching two passes for gains of seven yards each and drawing a DPI flag for a first down.
Meanwhile, Jackson nearly connected with Walker for a 47-yard touchdown but the receiver couldn't quite complete the catch.
Q4 9:25 – Bengals 29, Ravens 14
The Bengals' drive stalls out in Ravens territory, so McPherson trots out and converts a 52-yard field goal to increase Cincinnati's lead.
McPherson is 5-for-5 tonight.
The Bengals are now 5-for-5 on third down in the second half and that doesn't even include the one first down they got on a DPI. They've taken apart this Ravens defense since the intermission.
The Ravens have committed four turnovers tonight. They had three during the entirety of their five-game winning streak.
Q4 12:54 – Bengals 26, Ravens 14
Facing third-and-9 at the Cincinnati 15, Jackson's pass is tipped at the line and picked off by Knight! Knight returns it 39 yards to near midfield before he's brought down. That's Jackson's third turnover of the game.
End Q3 – Bengals 26, Ravens 14
Jackson finds Henry in space on the final play of the quarter, and the running back scampers down the middle of the field for a 44-yard gain. Just like that, the Ravens are knocking on the door of the red zone.
Q3 0:15 – Bengals 26, Ravens 14
When it rains, it pours! The Bengals couldn't buy a touchdown in the first half but now they've scored on back-to-back drives. Burrow hits Iosivas in stride for a 29-yard score to put Cincinnati back up by 12.
Bengals beat Ravens in Joe Burrow’s return: Live updates and reaction from NFL Thanksgiving – The New York Times
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