How Joe Burrow's return could spark Bengals playoff push

Matt Sullivan

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How Joe Burrow's return could spark Bengals playoff push image

The Cincinnati Bengals have been without their franchise quarterback for the majority of the season. Joe Burrow went down with an injury in Week 2 of the NFL season and hasn't been back since.

However, there's some optimism regarding a return this season. Burrow is practicing and could return as early as Week 13 on Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens.

His return will be huge for the Bengals' offense, but he means much more to the team than his on-field performance. As Ian Rapoport of NFL Network highlighted, Burrow's looming return could be what sparks the team into a playoff push.

How Joe Burrow can spark a Bengals playoff push

At 3-6, the Bengals haven't had many positives this season. Their last win was in Joe Flacco's second game at quarterback in a thrilling Thursday Night Football win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Since then, the Bengals have choked two games to the New York Jets and the Chicago Bears, both of which they should've won. Now in Week 11, facing the Steelers once again, the Bengals won't have Burrow back in the lineup.

But, as Rapoport writes, "Yet this week, for the first time in a while, there was optimism. Franchise quarterback Joe Burrow returned to practice, having his 21-day practice window opened, with eyes on a return for either Cincinnati's Thanksgiving night game or more likely the Bengals' Dec. 7 game against the Buffalo Bills."

Burrow will return regardless of the Bengals' record in Week 13 or 14, but despite their 3-6 record, the Bengals do have a chance of coming back in the AFC North.

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The Steelers, atop the division, are only 5-4, while the Ravens are 4-5. The division is still very much in play for the Bengals.

A Week 11 win over the Steelers would have the Bengals in good shape for any tiebreakers, especially over the Steelers. And with two matchups left against the Ravens, the Bengals can make up two games with those matchups.

While the defense still needs to improve, and Trey Hendrickson needs to get back healthy, the Bengals are still alive in the playoff hunt.

The season isn't over yet for the Bengals despite having a 3-6 record. Burrow's looming return is giving the team hope. Burrow's return could be what sparks a turnaround for the Bengals, as their playoff hopes are still alive despite a rough season thus far.

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Contributing Writer