The Cincinnati Bengals are 3-8 following their Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. While they are technically not eliminated from playoff contention just yet, there's a significant uphill battle to get back into the race.
Their only hope lies in beating the Baltimore Ravens twice. Cincinnati will get its first chance in Week 13 on Thanksgiving Night, as the Bengals travel to Baltimore for their most important game of the season.
Fortunately, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Bengals are expected to get some major help back in Week 13. Joe Burrow, out since Week 2, is likely to start for the Bengals against the Ravens.
The Bengals get a great Joe Burrow status update for Week 13
"Bengals coach Zac Taylor told reporters that, on Joe Burrow: 'Anticipate him playing'... But no official determination," Rapoport reports.
While this update from Taylor isn't any official decision made by the Bengals that Burrow is starting, it's a very positive sign that the veteran quarterback will be on the field in Week 13 for a must-win matchup.
Burrow's return, if it does happen in Week 13, will come with both some good and bad news in his receiver corps. Ja'Marr Chase, suspended for Week 12 due to spitting on Jalen Rams ey, is back in the lineup.
More: How Ja'Marr Chase's suspension can cost Bengals' WR over $500,000
However, Tee Higgins is out with a concussion and will force Andre Iosivas and Mitchell Tinsley to step up once again. Mike Gesicki could also be a factor for the offense.
The Ravens are a beatable defense on the ground and through the air. While Higgins is out, Chase Brown and the receivers are more than enough for the offense to function with Burrow at the helm.
No official roster move to activate Burrow has been made yet, but the Bengals have some time to determine if Burrow is truly ready to go or not. Joe Flacco has been a solid backup, but getting Burrow back will be a huge boost for the Bengals heading into the final six weeks of the season.
More Bengals News:
- Bengals Ja'Marr Chase to sit out one game, as NFL will reportedly uphold his suspension
- Ja'Marr Chase suspension: Why spitting incident with Jalen Ramsey led to one-game ban
- Bengals' defense graded as worst in NFL history through 10 games since 1978
- Bengals get brutal injury update on second-round standout defender