TL;DR
- Joe Burrow returns from toe injury for Cincinnati Bengals Week 13 game.
- Bengals' 3-8 record jeopardizes playoff hopes, requiring AFC North win.
- Burrow's return boosts offense, but defense remains a major issue.
- His presence could impact Zac Taylor's coaching position and Flacco's future.
Joe Burrow hasn't played since Week 2 of the 2025 NFL season, but the Cincinnati Bengals starting quarterback will return from his toe injury to start in Week 13, Thanksgiving Thursday night at the Ravens.
Cincinnati's coach Zac Taylor opted to hold off on Joe Burrow's return last week, despite his full practice participation before the team hosted the New England Patriots, resulting in another defeat with Joe Flacco starting. Burrow's absence for nine games, during which the Bengals compiled a 1-8 record and fell to 3-8, jeopardized their chances in the AFC North and wild-card competitions.
The Bengals went through three awful losing starts from former fill-in Jake Browning before trading with the Cleveland Browns to put Flacco on his third AFC North team. Flacco was better at executing the passing game than Browning the past six games, but the team still went only 1-5 in Flacco's starts.
Regardless of quarterback performance, the defense continues to be the major unresolved issue hindering the Bengals' success. They rank last in the league at 32nd for total defense (yards permitted), 32nd against the pass, and 31st against the run.
Regrettably, Burrow isn't capable of playing both offense and defense, nor can he significantly aid the defense beyond safeguarding the football. Let's examine his impact on the offense and other aspects:
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The significance of Joe Burrow's comeback for The Bengals' postseason prospects
With a 3-8 record, the Bengals' playoff hopes are minimal. Their best possible outcome is a 9-8 finish, and their only realistic route to the postseason involves winning the AFC North. They trail the 6-5 Ravens by three games in the division standings and are also three games behind the 6-5 Steelers, who now sit in second place. Furthermore, their record matches that of the last-place Browns following the latter's Week 12 victory.
The Chargers, Jaguars, and Bills currently occupy the AFC's three wild-card positions, each with a 7-4 record. With only six games remaining, it's nearly impossible for The Bengals to overcome a four-game deficit.
To make the playoffs, the Bengals would have to win every game, which seems improbable considering their upcoming schedule includes the Ravens, Bills, and Ravens again. While Burrow's efforts alone can't guarantee a playoff appearance, he can significantly boost the team's competitiveness.
MORE: Updated AFC, NFC playoff picture heading into Week 13
The implications of Joe Burrow's comeback for The Bengals' offensive unit
Despite Flacco's efforts to maintain a decent Bengals passing game with talented players like expensive wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, plus the adaptable running back Chase Brown, the Bengals remained in the middle of the league for passing offense (222.2 yards per game, ranking 15th in the NFL) and below average in scoring offense (22.5 points per game, 18th in the NFL).
Last season, when the Bengals went 9-8 and Burrow started all 17 games, they were No. 1 in passing offense (272.9 yards per game) and No. 6 in scoring offense (27.8 points per game). That's about 50 more yards and 5 more points per game with Burrow at QB.
Ja'Marr Chase, a premier wide receiver sidelined for Week 12, ranks fifth in the league with 79 receptions. He previously achieved the Triple Crown for his position, securing 127 catches for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Despite missing quarterback Joe Burrow for 8 games, Chase was projected to finish with 134 receptions, 1,464 receiving yards, and 9 touchdowns, though his yards per reception decreased from 13.4 to 20.9. Chase is expected to see a significant increase in production in Week 13.
Higgins (upon his return from a Week 12 concussion), Brown, the additional wide receivers, and the tight ends will also gain from Burrow's powerful arm and precision. The Bengals' pass protection, which permitted 48 sacks of Burrow last season, has improved, currently on track to allow under 40 this season.
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The implications of Joe Burrow's comeback for The Bengals' defensive unit
To shield their defense, the Bengals must compel opponents to become one-dimensional passing offenses. This can be achieved by adopting a more aggressive downfield passing strategy early on, enabling them to gain momentum, score quickly, and establish a lead. Currently, the Bengals' defense benefits from their offense's league-leading 67 percent passing rate, which is considered easy. The optimal approach would involve increasing early-game passing and then shifting focus to the running game later to reduce the defensive unit's time on the field.
Burrow offers them an opportunity to achieve this, as Flacco found himself entangled in too many back-and-forth exchanges and faltered when pressured to pass excessively late in games.
The Bengals ought to reduce their turnovers, as these put the defense in tougher spots with opponents gaining shorter fields. Last season, the Bengals held a +3 advantage in takeaways versus giveaways when Burrow played. This year, that figure has dropped significantly to -7 in turnover margin.
The implications of Joe Burrow's comeback for Zac Taylor's coaching position
Taylor's contract extends through the 2026 season. While the team did notably dismiss his predecessor, Marvin Lewis, with a year remaining on his contract, it's improbable the Bengals would dismiss Taylor given the 2021 Super Bowl 56 appearance remains relatively recent in memory.
Lewis departed the team following his sixteenth season. Taylor is concluding his seventh season. Burrow's presence could significantly re-energize the offense for Taylor, who also serves as the play-caller. Taylor might solidify his position by considering the rehiring of offensive coordinator Brian Callahan (dismissed by the Titans) and transitioning away from defensive coordinator Al Golden, given the stagnation in defensive performance following the Lou Anarumo tenure.
Cincinnati isn't typically recognized for making audacious decisions or causing disruptions. It's likely that team leaders will grant Taylor leniency concerning Burrow, with 2026 being the year his position truly comes under scrutiny.
MORE: Joe Burrow's injury history, from 2020 knee tear to turf toe
The implications of Joe Burrow's comeback for Joe Flacco's prospects
In April, the Browns inked Flacco to a $4 million, one-year contract for his return. As Deshaun Watson was unavailable, Flacco secured the starting quarterback position ahead of rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, rendering Kenny Pickett tradeable to the Raiders.
Flacco was sidelined in Cleveland for Gabriel following a difficult initial month, creating an opportunity for his trade to the Bengals in early October, stepping in for Browning. With Burrow's return imminent, Flacco's recent tenure as a starter is nearing its end.
Flacco, who is 40, will reach 41 next January. While the market for veteran backup QBs may offer more choices for The Bengals, Flacco might only see the Bengals as his sole No. 2 opportunity. Even with an initial surge in passing, Flacco's constraints as an aging, second-chance journeyman have also become apparent in Cincinnati. The Bengals would be wise to part ways with Flacco, refrain from tendering restricted free agent Browning, and instead cultivate a new drafted rookie backup for Burrow in 2026.
MORE: Complete timeline of Joe Flacco's extensive NFL career