Joe Burrow stats vs. Ravens: QB leads Bengals to win in Thanksgiving return from toe injury

Dan Treacy

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Joe Burrow stats vs. Ravens: QB leads Bengals to win in Thanksgiving return from toe injury image

Joe Burrow's season was paused by a toe injury when the Cincinnati Bengals were 2-0. Eleven weeks later, Burrow is back -- but the Bengals have added only one win in his absence. 

As dominant as Burrow can be when he's healthy, the Bengals are likely asking for more than he can give as they look to miraculously climb back into the playoff picture. Even an MVP-caliber season from Burrow wasn't enough to get Cincinnati to the playoffs in 2024, with defensive lapses sending the Bengals to 4-8 before a too-little, too-late win streak at the end of the season. 

While playoff hopes may be far-fetched, the Bengals are still thrilled to have their face of the franchise back on the field in hopes he can build some momentum down the stretch before going full throttle in 2026. 

Here's a look at how Burrow performed in his return to the field on Thanksgiving night.

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Joe Burrow stats today

Final score: Bengals 32, Ravens 14

  • Comp. Rate: 52.2% (24/46)
  • Yards: 261
  • TD: 2
  • INT: 0
  • Passer rating: 83.7
  • Rush att: 3
  • Rush yards: 8
  • Rush TD: 0
  • Sacks: 1

Burrow finished 24-of-46 for 261 yards and two touchdowns, avoiding turnovers and gathering momentum with a 9-of-14 second half after battling accuracy issues early on.

In a game that saw the Bengals' defense force five tunovers, turning scoring opportunities into touchdowns was a struggle. Cincinnati came away without points after being set up at the Baltimore Ravens' two-yard line by a turnover in the first half, and the Bengals came within six yards of the end zone deep into the second quarter before settling for a field goal.

The passing game seemed just a tick off early on, with Burrow uncharacteristically missing Ja'Marr Chase at times, but he and Chase started to find a rhythm in the second quarter. The Bengals took the lead on a drive sparked by a 43-yard completion to Chase, and Chase finished the first half with 80 yards despite catching less than half of his targets.

By the third quarter, Burrow looked fully settled in and continued to take care of the ball as the Bengals protected a comfortable lead. 

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Joe Burrow highlights vs. Ravens

Burrow looked to Chase early in his return. Chase was also returning from a one-game suspension for spitting on Jalen Rams ey.

This was exactly what Bengals fans had been waiting to see:

Burrow's first touchdown pass back from his toe injury was a one-handed grab by TE Tanner Hudson.

This looks much more like a fully healthy Burrow.

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