Baltimore Ravens lose 32-14 to Bengals on Thanksgiving as Joe Burrow returns with dominant performance and historic Evan McPherson kicks six field goals

The Cincinnati Bengals dominated the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on Thanksgiving night, snapping Baltimore’s five-game winning streak in a stunning performance. Joe Burrow delivered a poised return after missing nine games, while the Ravens’ catastrophic turnover issues handed Cincinnati a decisive victory. Baltimore committed five turnovers—four fumbles plus an interception—in what coach John Harbaugh called a shocking departure from their recent success.

Joe Burrow Dominates in Comeback Victory

Joe Burrow returned to action after nine weeks on the sidelines with turf toe, and he made an immediate impact on Thanksgiving. The Cincinnati quarterback delivered a poised, efficient performance despite the layoff, connecting on touchdowns to move the chains early and often.

Burrow’s most spectacular moment came on the third quarter drive, when he found tight end Tanner Hudson for a beautiful 14-yard touchdown pass. Hudson hauled in the ball with an incredible one-handed grab in the end zone, putting Cincinnati up 19-7. The play exemplified Cincinnati’s offensive rhythm and Burrow’s accuracy after time away from game action. The Bengals’ defense controlled the line of scrimmage throughout, forcing Baltimore into obvious passing situations.

Ravens’ Turnover Disaster Ends Winning Streak

Baltimore’s collapse began immediately, starting with five total turnovers that Cincinnati defense capitalized on relentlessly. Two-time MVP Lamar Jackson personally surrendered three turnovers—including two fumbles in critical field position and one interception inside Cincinnati’s red zone. Jackson completed 17 of 32 passes for 246 yards but failed to throw a touchdown pass for the third consecutive game.

The Ravens’ quarterback acknowledged the defensive pressure, stating he needed to improve consistency. Jackson’s scrambling ability was neutralized by Cincinnati’s aggressive defensive scheme, and his fumbles came at devastating times, including one deep in Baltimore territory. The interception proved particularly costly, coming when the Ravens attempted to mount a comeback in the second half. Two additional Ravens turnovers came from receivers Isaiah Likely and Zay Jones on passing plays, indicating a systemic breakdown in protection and decision-making.

McPherson’s Historic Kicking Performance Carries Bengals

Evan McPherson etched his name in Cincinnati’s history books with a tremendous performance between the uprights. The Bengals kicker connected on 6 field goals—all in as many attempts—ranging from 20 to 50-plus yards, including a challenging 52-yard kick into swirling wind conditions at M&T Bank Stadium.

McPherson’s consistent leg powered the Cincinnati attack throughout all four quarters, allowing the Bengals to capitalize on every scoring opportunity despite not pushing heavily into the red zone on multiple possessions. The field goals totaled 18 points of Cincinnati’s 32-point output, demonstrating how thoroughly the Bengals controlled field position and rhythm. His accuracy proved instrumental in maintaining the lead throughout the Thanksgiving night matchup. The kicker’s performance represented the second-most field goals in a single Bengals game, underscoring the historical significance of his night.

Category	Cincinnati	Baltimore
Final Score	32	14
Turnovers	2	5
Field Goals (McPherson)	6-6	TBA
Burrow Passing TD	2	0

Bengals Defense Forces Takeaways, Snaps Ravens’ Hot Streak

Cincinnati’s defense dominated the Thanksgiving clash by forcing five turnovers, including interceptions and the four fumbles generated by Baltimore’s offensive miscues. The Bengals’ secondary pressured Jackson consistently, forcing bad decisions on several occasions. The defensive line disrupted running space, limiting Baltimore’s ability to establish the ground game effectively.

Ja’Marr Chase contributed significantly to Cincinnati’s winning effort with 110 receiving yards, continuing his dominant play against division rivals. The Bengals’ offensive line provided Burrow exceptional protection, allowing him to locate receivers with ease despite his return from injury. The combination of Chase’s production and Hudson’s highlight-reel touchdown gave Cincinnati multiple receiving threats that Baltimore’s secondary could not contain. The victory elevated Cincinnati’s playoff positioning while simultaneously ending Baltimore’s impressive five-game winning streak that had energized fans heading into the Thanksgiving slate.

What Does This Victory Mean for AFC North Standings?

Cincinnati’s sensational performance places significant pressure on division rivals heading into the final stretch of the 2025 NFL season. The Bengals’ ability to survive Joe Burrow’s return game while exploiting Baltimore’s turnover issues demonstrates their potential to compete for the AFC North crown. Baltimore’s collapse raises serious questions about consistency, as the Ravens committed turnovers at the worst possible times and failed to maintain the disciplined execution that marked their five-game winning streak.

The lopsided defeat serves as a warning to the rest of the AFC that Burrow’s presence dramatically elevates Cincinnati’s ceiling. With balanced offensive production, Evan McPherson’s historic kicking, and a defense capable of generating turnovers at critical moments, the Bengals have established themselves as dangerous playoff contenders. Baltimore must address the turnover issues immediately, as playoff football punishes such breakdowns severely. The Thanksgiving night result could prove instrumental in determining AFC North positioning and wild-card seeding as teams enter December basketball-style stretches of their schedules.

Sources

• ESPN – Complete game recap and official final score documentation
• NFL.com – Official statistics and player performance analysis
• CBS Sports – Real-time coverage and postgame reporting