News Bengals Team Notes

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Myles Murphy thriving in increased role

Trey Hendrickson, the NFL’s sack leader for 2024, has been out with hip and back injuries.

Shemar Stewart, the Cincinnati Bengals’ first-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, is out with an ankle injury and currently on IR. The Bengals needed someone to step up and help carry the load at defensive end.

Enter Myles Murphy, an underachieving defensive end who was the Bengals’ first-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. It was just the opportunity he had been waiting for.

After being limited in appearances over the first two years of his career, Murphy is now playing between 80 and 90 percent of the defensive snaps and is starting to show glimpses of the player Cincinnati hoped he would become.

In the Week 9 loss to the Chicago Bears, Murphy had five tackles and an assist, three quarterback pressures, one batted pass, and two run stops. In Week 11 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Murphy had his best game of the season with five tackles and an assist, six pressures, a sack, four hurries, and five run stops.

Against the Patriots on Sunday, Murphy recorded four pass rush wins and three pressures in the first half alone, according to Gridiron Grading.

Myles Murphy was charted with 4 pass rush wins and 3 pressures in the first half against the Patriots.

This comes a week after having 6 pressures against the Steelers.

Some lights are definitely turning on there in a full-time role.

You love to see it.

— Gridiron Grading (@GridironGrading) November 23, 2025

“Just make the plays that come to you, that come to my side, that come into my gap,” Murphy said recently. “Not trying to force plays to happen. I felt like I was doing that early on in the season. Make the plays that come to you.”

The extra work has slowed down the speed of the game and allowed the 6-5, 275-pound Murphy to focus on playing fast and penetrating.

“Play fast,” Murphy said. “Whether you’re doing the right or wrong thing, play fast, come across the ball, re-set the line of scrimmage. Play fast, everything else falls into place.”

The Bengals will need Murphy to continue his resurgence when they take on the Ravens without the services of Hendrickson, who remains out with his back injury.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/181420/myles-murphy-thriving-increased-role

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Players to watch, keys to the game for Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

Joe Burrow has been overcoming adversity his entire football life. Thanksgiving Night will be no different.

Playing in his first game back from sustaining a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2 this season, Burrow will lead the 3-8 Bengals into Baltimore to take on the 6-5 Ravens in prime time. It’s a tall task, but so was taking the 2021 Bengals to Super Bowl LVI while sustaining a league-high 51 sacks in the regular season and 19 more in the Playoffs and the Super Bowl. So, too, was playing at Buffalo in the snow without three starting offensive linemen in the Divisional round of the Playoffs the following season.

Burrow is built to overcome adversity. It probably won’t happen this season, but I still firmly believe that Joe Burrow is eventually going to win a Super Bowl with the Bengals.

With that, let’s take a look at the Baltimore Ravens, keys to the game, and score prediction for Thanksgiving Night.

Quarterback: No. 8: Lamar Jackson — 6-2, 205 lbs. 8th Season, Louisville​

Stats: 66.7 Cmp%, 1,595 yds, 15 TD, 3 INT; 46 rush, 237 yds, 1 TD

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Even though he’s had an adverse season, particularly on the injury front that cost him three games earlier this season, Jackson is still a very dangerous and great player. He’s a two-time MVP for a reason, and his record against the Bengals speaks for itself.

Jackson plays well against the Bengals because he knows these games are big games. The Ravens have won the AFC North the last two seasons, and the Bengals won the AFC North in the two seasons before that.

Plus, Jackson has played well in November and December throughout his career. Since returning, the Ravens are on a five-game winning streak. While he and the Ravens haven’t peaked yet this season, they have surged in November and December before.

Four Players to Watch on the Ravens​

1. No. 22: Running Back, Derrick Henry — 6-2, 252 lbs. 10th Season, Alabama
Stats: 197 rush, 871 yds, 9 TD; 13 rec., 98 yds

Henry was held in check in both games against the Bengals last season, except for his long run in overtime that set up the game-winning field goal in Week 5. The Bengals, especially with Lou Anarumo as their defensive coordinator, did a mostly good job of not letting him run right through them, including in the Playoffs in 2021.

While Henry’s numbers this season may not be close to what they were last season, he is still averaging a solid 79.2 rushing yards per game. Preventing him from getting downhill will be a big key for the Bengals’ defense on Thanksgiving Night.

2. No. 89: Tight End, Mark Andrews — 6-5, 250 lbs. 8th Season, Oklahoma
Stats: 33 rec., 285 yds, 5 TD

Andrews has always played well against the Bengals, so he is definitely a player worth watching for in this game. The Bengals have struggled to cover elite tight ends for years, and Andrews is one of many who have tormented the Bengals over the middle of the field. Taking away the middle of the field and limiting Andrews’s explosive plays are two things the Bengals’ defense must do to pull off the upset.

3. No. 14: Safety, Kyle Hamilton — 6-4, 218 lbs. 4th Season, Notre Dame
Stats: 69 TKL, 6 PD, 2 FF, 1 sack, 5 TFL, 4 QBH

Hamilton is a demon at safety. The Ravens drafted him in 2022, just months after Joe Burrow threw for a combined 941 yards and seven touchdowns against them in two games in 2021. A hard-hitter and excellent blitzer, Hamilton can make a difference in any game.

4. No. 44: Cornerback, Marlon Humphrey — 6-0, 210 lbs. 9th Season, Alabama
Stats: 37 TKL, 1 INT, 5 PD, 2 FF, 1 FR, 1 TFL, 1 QBH

It was Humphrey who made the game-changing and momentum-swinging plays in both games against the Bengals in 2024. He intercepted Burrow late in the fourth quarter when the Bengals were on the verge of putting the game away in Cincinnati, and he forced a fumble against Chase Brown that sparked the Ravens’ 14-point comeback in the second half in Baltimore.

Humphrey and Ja’Marr Chase have had some excellent battles in the past, and they should again on Thanksgiving Night. It’s the Ravens’ best cornerback against the Bengals’ best wide receiver, two All-Pros going at it on Thanksgiving Night. What could be better?

Head Coach: John Harbaugh (18th season, 178-109) — 63 years old​

There is no denying that John Harbaugh is one of the best head coaches of his generation. In 18 seasons with the Ravens, he has had them among the NFL’s most consistent teams.

The Ravens won Super Bowl XLVII in 2012, one of four times Harbaugh has led the Ravens to the AFC Championship Game. In addition, the Ravens have won six AFC North titles and have been to the Playoffs 12 times in Harbaugh’s first 17 seasons. Of those 12 Postseason appearances, the Ravens have won at least one playoff game nine times.

Winning the AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2019, Harbaugh came to Baltimore after 10 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was their special teams coordinator for nine of those 10 seasons, including on their Super Bowl XXXIX team in 2004.

In the college ranks, Harbaugh was a special teams coordinator at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Morehead State. He started his coaching career as the running backs and outside linebackers coach at Western Michigan in 1984.

Harbaugh played college football at Miami (OH) as a defensive back.

Offensive Coordinator: Todd Monken (3rd season) — 59 years old

Since becoming the Ravens’ offensive coordinator in 2023, Monken has taken Jackson and the Ravens’ offense to incredible heights.

The Ravens rank first in red zone TD pct. (67.9), rushing yards per game (172.1), and passer rating (110.8), and second in points per game (28.4), yards per play (6.3), and total yards per game (397.6) during this span.

Prior to Baltimore, Monken was the offensive coordinator with the Georgia Bulldogs when they won back-to-back national championships. He was also the offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which followed three seasons as the head coach at Southern Miss. He led the Golden Eagles to the Conference-USA Championship game in 2015.

Defensive Coordinator: Zachary Orr (2nd season) — 33 years old

A standout linebacker with the Ravens from 2014-2016, Orr, after having to retire due to a congenital neck/spine condition, has been with the Ravens for every season except 2021, when he was the Jacksonville Jaguars’ outside linebackers coach.

Orr started as a defensive analyst from 2017-20 with the Ravens, before coming back as their inside linebackers coach from 2022-23.

The Ravens ranked in the top 10 in several categories in Orr’s first season as defensive coordinator in 2024, including rush defense (80.1 ypg, first), yards per rush (3.6, first), sacks (54, second), QB hits (115, second), yards per play (5.2, sixth), scoring (21.2 ppg, ninth) and total defense (324.1 ypg, 10th)…The unit produced five Pro Bowlers (S Kyle Hamilton, CB Marlon Humphrey, DT Nnamdi Madubuike, ILB Roquan Smith, and OLB Kyle Van Noy), two AP first-team All-Pros (Humphrey and Smith), and one AP second-team All-Pro (Hamilton).

As a player, Orr was Second-Team All-Pro in 2016 and First-Team All-Conference-USA at North Texas in 2013.

Special Teams Coordinator: Chris Horton (7th season) — 40 years old

Horton is another part of the continuity of the Ravens’ coaching staff. He’s been with the Ravens since 2014 in a special teams role, starting as an assistant coach for five seasons before moving into his current role in 2019.

Since 2019, the Ravens’ special teams rank in the Top 10 in yards per punt return (11.1, second), punt returns of 20+ yards (19, fourth), opponent yards per kickoff return (22.0, sixth), and kick return TDs (three, tied for sixth).

As a player at UCLA, Horton was a First-Team All-American in 2007.

Keys to the Game​

1. Protect the Franchise. No further explanation needed, Your Honor

Again, no further explanation needed, Your Honor.

2. Run the ball

This will help take the pressure off Burrow and not make him have to throw the ball 40 times. In addition, it will be very cold Thanksgiving Night in Baltimore. Running the football is a must.

3. Dare Lamar Jackson and the Ravens’ receivers to beat you on the perimeter

Taking away Mark Andrews will make Jackson have to beat the Bengals down the sidelines with his receivers. As a Bengals fan, you’ll take that chance.

4. Win the turnover battle

In division games, the turnover battle is a crucial component. Winning this could win the Bengals this ultra-important game.

Score Prediction: Ravens 34 – Bengals 27​

While I believe Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will both play well Thanksgiving Night, I still can’t trust the Bengals’ defense to win this game against the Ravens. Expect another offensive fireworks performance from these two teams with, hopefully, a different result.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...5/players-to-watch-keys-game-baltimore-ravens

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Al Golden and his defense finally break out in Bengals’ win vs. Ravens

The return of Joe Burrow was the biggest storyline across the league on Thanksgiving, and it delivered.

Through the four quarters of play against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens, another storyline emerged, and that is the play of the Bengals’ defense.

This unit has struggled for the majority of this season, but first-year defensive coordinator Al Golden put together his best plan in a must-win game.

The Ravens marched right down the field on their opening drive, but after that, the defense put together a dominant performance, forcing five turnovers.

Jackson threw an interception and coughed up two fumbles as well, and was clearly rattled in the second half, struggling to find any rhythm.

Joseph Ossai shone in primetime tonight, tallying two sacks with the help of Myles Murphy, who has really come into form over the past few weeks with Trey Hendrickson out.

This defense has gotten so much heat all season, and rightfully so, but tonight we can all celebrate a complete game with the return of Joe Burrow.

It is hard to believe right now, but playoff hopes are still alive for this team, and we all hope to see confidence build on both sides of the ball, especially when Trey Hendrickson returns.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-news/181683/al-golden-defense-ravens

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Black Friday Football discussion

What’s up football fans! It was a busy day on the gridiron yesterday as Thanksgiving football has come and gone. Now all the attention will turn to this afternoon’s game.

The Chicago Bears have traveled to Philadelphia for a date with the Eagles and a battle of two of the top teams in the NFC, while there’s plenty of college football on today. Come join in on the conversation in today’s open discussion!

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-discussion/181451/black-friday-football-discussion

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Jermaine Burton is week-to-week with an ankle injury, per Zac Taylor

Is the return of Joe Burrow enough for this roster to play like a competitive professional football team? It sure seemed like it last night as the Bengals dominated the Ravens in Baltimore, 32-14.

Since Burrow’s injury back in September, the Bengals have posted a whopping 1-8 record and are now in a deep hole to keep any chance of the playoffs alive.

But, no need to fear, Joe Burrow is here, and his presence alone created an entirely new confidence in all three phases.

One of the biggest issues for this roster’s success has been the inability to draft true plug-and-play guys with premium picks over the last few years.

Myles Murphy seems to be turning a corner now, but it took years for him to finally show up on tape, and Shemar Stewart is truly nowhere to be found in his rookie season, like at all.

Another guy who has been a no-show is former third-round pick Jermaine Burton.

Burton has flashed numerous times on the field in his very short career, but he has caused plenty of issues off the field.

Burton has been inactive all season as a healthy scratch, and with Chase’s suspension and Higgins’ concussion, Bengals fans thought he would finally dress…

Burton was inactive against the Patriots yet again, and all of a sudden didn’t play against the Ravens due to an ankle injury that no one knew about.

Burton is now ‘week-to-week’ with that ankle injury, Zac Taylor revealed on Friday.

It sure doesn’t seem like we will see Burton play in Cincinnati again, but hopefully I’ll be wrong.

Zac Taylor speaks to the media. https://t.co/i9OtLPqvq4

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) November 28, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...-injury-week-to-week-with-an-ankle-zac-taylor

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Chase Brown reaches Bengals history vs. Ravens

Not only did the Bengals’ win over the Ravens boost their slim playoff chances, but it also set some history on the individual accolade level for Cincinnati players. As we mentioned, Ja’Marr Chase is officially a Ravens-killer, but Cincinnati’s running back is also in elite echelons.

With his 113 yards from scrimmage on Thursday Night, Chase Brown cemented himself among some of the best running backs in Bengals history. He is the first Cincinnati running back to have six-straight games with at least 100 total yards from scrimmage.

As seen above, the Bengals have had a number of productive and versatile backs in their history. Most notable is James Brooks, who was a multi-Pro Bowl player, known for his ability to thrash defenses in multiple ways.

Giovani Bernard was a bit more of a “No. 1B” back in his day, but his versatility was a vital weapon in the Bengals’ playoff streak from 2011-2015 (Bernard joined the team in 2013). And, while Corey Dillon wasn’t known for his receiving prowess, per se, with so many issues at quarterback during his career, he was a constant passing outlet.

Brown came up just short of 1,000 rushing yards last year, but had 1,350 total yards from scrimmage and 11 total touchdowns. Through a Bengals quarterback carousel this year, Brown has 991 total yards from scrimmage and three total touchdowns.

With Joe Burrow back in the lineup and seemingly not missing much of a beat in his first game back, Brown’s numbers should continue to show productivity in this final stretch of games.

As noted in the postgame celebration by Zac Taylor, Chase Brown has a Bengals record six-straight games of 100+ scrimmage yards by a Cincinnati RB.

That’s quite a feat with other great versatile RBs in their history like James Brooks, Giovani Bernard, Corey Dillon & others

— Anthony Cosenza (@CJAnthonyCUI) November 28, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-history/181778/chase-brown-ravens

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Joe Burrow saves the Bengals’ season

Joe Burrow was back on the field in Baltimore after his turf toe injury that had sidelined him since week two. His presence helped the Bengals pull off a 32-14 victory over the Ravens in primetime on Thanksgiving night.

While the playoffs are still a long shot for Cincinnati, Burrow has given this fanbase hope. It wasn’t one of his best performances, completing just 52% of his passes (24 for 46). However, he still threw for 261 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. His mobility was still on display. Extending multiple plays in normal Joe Burrow fashion.

Those 261 yards, combined with his two incredible performances last year against the Ravens, have him at over 1000 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and just one interception over his last three games against Baltimore.

The Bengals will likely have to run the table to get to the playoffs. Currently sitting at 4-8 would typically have a team completely out of the race. The fact that they are 3-1 in the AFC North this season, along with no one in the division having a commanding lead, gives them a chance.

The Ravens are now at 6-6 on the season, just two games ahead of the Bengals. They will get a chance to face them again in two weeks in Cincinnati. The Steelers could also fall to 6-6 on the season with a loss to Buffalo this week.

Being just two games out of the division after this week certainly makes it possible. Having Joe Burrow back makes it scary for the rest of the division. We have seen this team get hot late in the season before, why not again? This time, with a legitimate chance to win the division if they can stack some wins the next couple of weeks.

Next week, against Buffalo will be a must-watch television with Joe Burrow versus Josh Allen. Playoffs or not, watching Joe Burrow is a treat that I won’t take for granted the rest of the year.

Do you think the playoffs are a real possibility now that Joe Burrow is back at the helm? Sound off in the comments.

Joe Burrow in his last three games vs the Ravens:

1,081 passing yards
11 TDs
1 INT https://t.co/PctpZLw03h pic.twitter.com/fzTOKCwiZv

— PFF (@PFF) November 28, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/181787/joe-burrow-saves-season

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Erick All Jr. says he’ll be cleared by the end of the season

When the Bengals were struggling to run the football early in the season, a key reason why was the absence of tight end Erick All Jr. The Bengals’ fourth-round pick in 2024, All tore his ACL in Week 9 of his rookie season, and his absence has been felt.

Fortunately, though, All recently updated how his rehab has been going on FOX19’s “Bengals Now” show with positive news that should have him ready for the 2026 season. He actually plans to be cleared by the end of this season.

All is a player who is very easy to root for. He plays hard, and he’s a glue piece to a part of the Bengals’ offense that looked like it was gaining some traction in the early part of the 2024 season. It was interesting to see him have an impact on the offense, especially as a rookie in Dan Pitcher’s first season as the Bengals’ offensive coordinator.

Having him as a player who can run-block and pick up five yards every time he catches a pass is invaluable for a quarterback like Joe Burrow.

I’m excited to see what he can do in 2026, and hopefully, All can stay healthy for a full season. He can bring out another dimension in an already dynamic Bengals’ offense.

#Bengals TE Erick All Jr. joined our live show Monday night and updated his recovery timeline.

"I just (started) running routes. I'm fine right now. By the end of the season, I'll be cleared."

He also shared a unique visual on staying mentally locked in. @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/Xxe5sdqZ13

— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) November 26, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-injuries/181560/erick-all-jr-injury-surgery-return

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Ja’Marr Chase makes NFL history vs. Ravens on Thanksgiving Night

The Cincinnati Bengals’ win over the Ravens on Thanksgiving Night was not only a rarity in the rivalry in the Lamar Jackson era, but it also ushered in a new sense of confidence within Cincinnati’s locker room after Joe Burrow’s performance. The Bengals’ quarterback appeared to have brought an additional spark to a team that was reeling from a number of inexplicable losses.

Even with Burrow in and out of the lineup, star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has continued to put up All-Pro numbers. Like his predecessor, A.J. Green, Chase has become a Ravens-killer in his career, with last night’s production giving him another historical NFL accolade.

Chase now owns the highest receiving yards-per-game average vs. one NFL team. He also passed Jerry Rice for the fourth-most receiving yards by a player in their first five seasons in NFL history.

Ja’Marr Chase passes HOF Jerry Rice for the 4th-most receiving yards by a player in their first 5 career seasons in NFL history

CINvsBAL on NBC
Stream on #NFLPlus + Peacockpic.twitter.com/TED2TAvl3l

— NFL+ (@NFLPlus) November 28, 2025

After last night’s game, Ja’Marr Chase now averages 119.1 yards per game in his career against the Ravens.

That is the highest average against a team in NFL history (min. 8 games) pic.twitter.com/wy85KLxybL

— SleeperBengals (@SleeperBengals) November 28, 2025

This insane streak started in his rookie year, wherein Chase had 15 catches for 326 yards and a touchdown (the infamous Kevin Harlan “He put him in a blender!” call). In 2022, he didn’t crack 100 yards receiving in the three games vs. Baltimore, but averaged 73.3 yards receiving and had two touchdowns.

With his seven-catch, 110-yard effort on Thursday Night, his 119.1 yards per game against the Ravens in his career is an NFL-best for any receiver against any NFL opponent, ever.

Needless to say, with Baltimore routinely towards the top of the AFC North, these consistent high performances continue to keep Cincinnati in the Divisional hunt.

Chase has had to deal with three different starting quarterbacks, but is still among the top statistical wide receivers in the league this year. With a weekend’s worth of games still to be played, he leads the league with 86 receptions, is third in receiving yards with 971, and has five touchdown receptions.

While there is another game between the Ravens and Bengals this year, this mark continues to cement Chase as one of, if not the best receiver in the league.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...6/jamarr-chase-nfl-history-vs-ravens-all-time

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson injury update from Zac Taylor

All of the sudden, the Cincinnati Bengals are right in the thick of the AFC North race.

With their Thanksgiving win over the Baltimore Ravens and the Pittsburgh Steelers falling to the Buffalo Bills, the Bengals have a real shot to win their division if they win out to end the 2025 season.

When speaking to the media on Monday, head coach Zac Taylor gave injury updates on Trey Hendrickson and Tee Higgins.

For Hendrickson, Taylor says he will be doubtful for Sunday’s game at Buffalo.

Hendrickson has not played in five weeks due to hip and pelvis injuries. There haven’t been many updates on Hendrickson, aside from Taylor essentially ruling him out every Monday. There were rumors that Hendrickson was trying to put off surgery, but with his uncertain future with the team, some are questioning if Hendrickson is sitting out.

Taylor also spoke about wide receiver Tee Higgins, who is still going through concussion protocol.

One would think Higgins could return Sunday, given that it would be 14 days after he suffered the injury, but the play where Higgins was concussed was a very hard fall on the Paycor Stadium turf. Hopefully, Higgins is doing well and can return to action.

The Bengals are essentially playing playoff football from here on out, so hopefully their stars can get back on the field soon.

Trey Hendrickson (pelvis) is doubtful against Buffalo.

Zac Taylor says Hendrickson is spending most of his time in the building behind the scenes with the team trainers.

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) December 1, 2025

Tee Higgins was in great spirits in the Bengals locker room today. Higgins is doing well as he works through concussion protocol per Zac Taylor.

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) December 1, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...on-tee-higgins-injury-update-bills-zac-taylor

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals News (12/1): Joe Burrow already proving doubters wrong

Just Like He Never Left: Joe Burrow Feasts On Ravens

There he was, more than two months since tearing ligaments in his right big toe, and gliding away from pressure on the first play of the second quarter. Somehow, sifting a third-and-11 ball to All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase through a sliver on the sidelines between Ravens Nate Wiggins and Alhoi Gilman.

Cincinnati Bengals Get Help From Upcoming Opponent, Playoff Chances Go Up in Week 13

Cincinnati beat Baltimore on Thursday night to improve to 4-8 on the season. The Ravens fell to 6-6 on the year. Buffalo beat Pittsburgh 26-7 on Sunday. The Steelers are also 6-6 on the season. They’ve lost three out of their last four games.

I was wrong, Joe Burrow Bengals were right − shutting him down was a dumb idea

From the outside looking in, there seemed to be little reason for Burrow, the Bengals’ best player in a generation, to rush back − and maybe that will still prove to be the case. He’s missed 23 of a possible 95 regular-season starts to date during his six-year career. He’s toiling for a team that’s now 4-8 – the same record it had through 12 games a year ago before ultimately falling short of postseason.

Inside Bengals QB Joe Burrow’s Remarkable Road to Recovery

Joe Burrow tried to take his ACL tear in 2020, as a Bengals rookie, in stride, as the kind of thing most NFL players will have to deal with at some point. His wrist injury of 2023 was worse, the kind of hit that, for a quarterback, leads to existential questions, because it came at the expense of his ability, at least in short-term, to throw the ball.

Bengals must go all-in on dynamic DB after dazzling Week 13 effort

For the second straight week, practice squad vet Jalen Davis got a call up to the active roster. He started in Cincinnati’s 26-20 loss to the Patriots, which looked worse score-wise for the defense thanks to Joe Flacco’s pick-six.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-news/181859/joe-burrow-proving-doubters-wrong

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals Tuesday Trenches: Do you believe now?

Well, how about that?

The Cincinnati Bengals, backs pressed against the wall, walked into Baltimore on Thanksgiving night and handed the Ravens a 32–14 beating. Combined with the Steelers’ loss, Cincinnati suddenly finds itself very much alive in the AFC North race. They’re still long shots—everything must go right, and nothing can go wrong—but the path exists.

To even enter the conversation, they must win out and finish 9–8. Doing that would mean sweeping the Ravens, and then they’d need Baltimore to drop one of their remaining games against the Steelers (twice), Packers, or Patriots. If Pittsburgh and Baltimore split their series, the Steelers would need to drop just one additional game to either the Dolphins, Browns, or Lions.

So yes—there is a chance.

But none of it matters if the Bengals don’t win the one in front of them.

Next up: Buffalo. Highmark Stadium. One of the last three games the Bills will ever play there. Josh Allen and the Bills are still fighting for the AFC East, and if New England keeps winning, Buffalo will need AFC conference wins to lock in a wild-card spot. They need this game every bit as much as Cincinnati does.

With Joe Burrow—and hopefully a healthy Tee Higgins—the Bengals should be able to do what they always seem to do against Buffalo: score points in bunches. If the defense that showed up in Baltimore travels to Upstate New York, Cincinnati has a real shot. If that performance was a one-off mirage, they’re probably in trouble.

So here’s the real question:

Do you believe?

After the win in Baltimore, have you seen enough to convince yourself it’s possible? Or was that dominant performance simply the last gasp before the lights go out on the season?

I go back and forth. Part of me watched what happened on Thanksgiving night and thinks, “Look, the Ravens and Steelers aren’t running the table. The ball could bounce Cincinnati’s way.” The Bengals have been due for some luck for, well… decades.

But another part of me has been a Bengals fan for far too long to fully buy into a scenario that requires this much perfection.

What do you think?

Random Thoughts from Week 13​

• Joe Burrow is a wizard. I genuinely believe he’s the best pure passer in the NFL.
• Ja’Marr Chase is the best wide receiver in football, and I don’t think that’s even controversial at this point.
• Myles Murphy’s rise continues. He’s not Trey Hendrickson yet—and the Bengals desperately need last year’s sack king back—but Murphy is becoming a problem for offensive lines.
• DJ Turner taking a receiver out of the game changes everything for the defensive front. His impact is enormous.
• Jalen Davis continues to be exactly who he’s always been: reliable, tough, and ready when called upon. How he stayed a backup for so long here is baffling.
• Joseph Ossai had his best game as a pro, and Cincinnati desperately needs him to stack another one just like it.
• Also: Watching him try to answer questions while eating turkey was one of the highlights of the night.
• If the Bengals fall short of a playoff berth, watching half the roster enjoy turkey on Thanksgiving for the first time in franchise history is a memory I’ll hold onto.
• Do we need to start talking about a Dalton Risner extension? Legitimate question.
• Chase Brown just recorded his sixth straight game with 100+ total yards—the longest streak in Bengals history, which honestly shocked me. My fantasy team needs that to continue. So do the Bengals.
• Evan McPherson went 6-for-6 and drilled two extra points. With kicks ranging from 24 to 52 yards, he’s quietly been one of the best kickers in the league this season.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that watching the Bengals dominate in primetime helped recharge your Bengals batteries. There’s still plenty of work—and hand-wringing—left to do.

Relative Song Lyrics:

Workin’ hard to get my fill
Everybody wants a thrill
Payin’ anything to roll the dice
Just one more time

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...uesday-trenches-do-you-believe-now-joe-burrow

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals sign CB Jalen Kimber to practice squad

On Tuesday the Cincinnati Bengals announced they signed undrafted free agent rookie cornerback Jalen Kimber to their practice squad.

Kimber, who played his college ball for Penn State University, went undrafted but was signed by the Tennessee Titans, who waived him on final cuts. The Buffalo Bills then claimed him for their practice squad, but he was released in mid October.

He’ll join the Bengals’ practice squad after cornerback Jalen Davis was signed to the active roster following his two solid showings over the last two weeks.

Kimber, who stands at 6-0 and weighs 190 pounds, has a solid size to speed ratio, but he sometimes lacks the quickness needed to stay on the hip of his receiver, and he needs to develop better in run support. While athletic, he lacks some instincts, which is apparent from his one career interception. While in Happy Valley, Kimber appeared in all 16 games of his senior season, and totaled 35 tackles and three pass break ups.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-roster/181953/jalen-kimber-practice-squad

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Latest Bengals vs. Bills odds at FanDuel

It’s a quarterback heavyweight Sunday afternoon in western New York when Joe Burrow and the Bengals take on reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen and the Bills.

On FanDuel, the Bills are -5.5 point favorites. The over/under is set at 52.5. The line was initially 6.5, so it’s dropped a point, potentially based on the news that Tee Higgins is practicing and could return this week after suffering a scary concussion in Week 12.

The Bengals’ money line is +235, while the Bills’ money line is -290.

When the Bengals and Bills met in the NFL Playoffs in 2022, the Bills were -5.5 point favorites. Burrow famously said, leading into that game, that he “never feels like an underdog.” It showed in the Bengals’ 27-10 win.

Burrow thrives in an underdog role. He’s had to overcome a ton of adversity already in his career, and Sunday will be no different.

The weather could be a major factor on Sunday in Buffalo. It’s going to be cold, and there could be snow. But remember the last time Burrow and the Bengals played in Buffalo? They won 27-10 in a snow globe.

Sunday’s game is, essentially, another must-win game for the Bengals. But with Joe Burrow and his December record, anything is possible, even as an underdog.

Joe Burrow is 2-0 against Josh Allen and the Bills in his career.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-odds/181845/bills-betting-nfl-week-14-fanduel

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Joe Burrow could be wearing uncomfortable plate under his toe for a long time

Joe Burrow made his triumphant return to the field on Thanksgiving night and led the Cincinnati Bengals to an unlikely win over the Ravens in Baltimore before feasting on turkey with half the team on national television. Now the Bengals are 4-8 and only two games behind the Steelers and Ravens, and there is a path to the playoffs that seems not-so-long.

While Bengals fans are relieved their quarterback is back on the field, they’re also concerned about his turf toe injury and whether or not it could be re-aggravated. Burrow is wearing a protective plate under his toe, but it is very uncomfortable.

It also might not be very temporary.

“No,” Burrow said when asked if it was comfortable. “It was certainly a process to figure out what worked best for me and what was most comfortable and, at the same time, safe. But we worked through that, and a lot of different people were involved, and we got the right stuff.”

He went on to say that, as much as he’d like to ditch the plate, he will be wearing it at least throughout the 2025 season and “probably going forward.”

Turf toe, though it sounds minor, is a really nasty injury to the ligaments in the big toe joint, where tendons and other soft tissues in the joint stretch or tear. It has put more than one NFL career in the grave. Hopefully, Burrow gets used to his protective plate, because it sounds like it may not be going anywhere.

Joe Burrow speaks to the media ahead of Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills.

Presented by @geteero https://t.co/J8r9ueWhap

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 3, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...row-turf-toe-injury-uncomfortable-plate-under

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals could very well win AFC North if they beat the Bills, says former NFL coach

The Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) were beyond dead just a week ago.

Now, after an inspirational return from Joe Burrow, the playoffs are a reasonable possibility.

The Bengals must beat the Buffalo Bills to have a realistic chance.

But if they do that, they could actually win the AFC North by winning out.

Former NFL head coach Bruce Arians went on the Pat McAfee Show and was asked if it’s “BS” to think the Bengals could win the division after beating Buffalo. Here’s what he said:

“That’s no BS. When you look at their schedule, they’re going to be favored the rest of the way. And this is the big game for them. If they could beat the Bills, they’ll be one game back. Now they still have to play the Ravens, who they beat badly in Baltimore. Now the rest of the games, they got the easiest schedule going of those teams. Baltimore and Pittsburgh gotta play each other twice.”

Watch his analysis in the video below:

"If the Bengals can beat the Bills I like their schedule the rest of the way..

I could see them running the table and getting in the playoffs" ~ @BruceArians #PMSLive https://t.co/irsAp1iYnR pic.twitter.com/OK2X5tK5Bd

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 2, 2025

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...win-afc-north-beat-the-bills-former-nfl-coach

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals vs. Bills Injury Report: Tee Higgins goes full, Joey Bosa and A.J. Epenesa get DNP

The Cincinnati Bengals are working toward a big AFC showdown against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, and Thursday’s injury report brought some good news.

Tee Higgins (concussion) was a full participant in Thursday’s practice. He was limited on Wednesday, so the improvement in status indicates that he has a good chance to get back on the field this week. Higgins hasn’t played with Joe Burrow since Week 2.

Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) was out of practice again, and head coach Zac Taylor already declared Hendrickson doubtful for Sunday. Basically, we can say he is out.

B.J. Hill got a rest day, while Cameron Sample (oblique) was limited for the second day in a row.

Chase Brown (calf) and Jermaine Burton (ankle) both went full as well.

For Buffalo, star edge rusher Joey Bosa (hamstring/wrist) did not practice for the second day in a row, so the Bengals’ pass blockers may be getting somewhat of a break Sunday. Bosa is expected to miss several weeks with his injury.

Linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) also missed his second straight practice.

Defensive end A.J. Epenesa (foot) was a new addition to the injury report, as he missed Thursday’s practice. Bosa and Epenesa have accounted for eight sacks and 64 total pressures this season.

Bengals vs. Bills Injury Report​

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...jury-report-tee-higgins-a-j-epenesa-joey-bosa

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals vs. Bills Injury Report: Tee Higgins will play; Joey Bosa out

It appears Sunday will be a snowy affair in Orchard Park, as the Cincinnati Bengals travel north to take on the Buffalo Bills in a big AFC matchup. The Bengals are looking to keep their playoff hopes alive and continue Joe Burrow’s winning streak over Josh Allen.

Friday’s injury report is usually a good indication of what players should be playing Sunday, and it appears the Bengals got some good news.

Wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has cleared concussion protocol and is on track to play. Higgins suffered a scary-looking concussion in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, costing him the Week 13 game in Baltimore. Higgins is good to go.

Defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip/pelvis) will be out, as we all expected. The Bengals will look to Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai to continue to pressure quarterbacks.

Linebacker Shaka Heyward (fibula) is doubtful.

For Buffalo, they are looking a little banged up on the defensive side of the ball.

Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins (concussion) has cleared protocol and will be in the starting lineup.

Tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring/knee) was limited, but should be set to play.

Defensive end Joey Bosa (wrist/hamstring) and linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) will be out for Sunday, according to Bills coach Sean McDermott.

Defensive end A.J. Epenesa (foot) missed some practice this week, but McDermott says he should be good to suit up this week.

Wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee/ankle) is listed as doubtful as well.

Bengals vs. Bills Injury Report​

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinn...083/bills-injury-report-tee-higgins-joey-bosa

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

Bengals moving up in latest NFL Power Rankings

The Cincinnati Bengals are back. Well, maybe not back, but at least they are moving in the right direction.

After an impressive 32-14 win over the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals moved up to No. 22 in the latest ESPN NFL Power Rankings, up from No. 25 just over a week ago. Pro Football & Sports Network had Cincinnati at No. 17, its highest ranking since week two of the regular season.

At least one publication, TWSN, now gives the Bengals the inside track to the AFC Division title after Cincinnati, whose much-maligned defense forced five turnovers, snapped the Ravens’ five-game win streak.

None of this will matter unless the Bengals can manage to slip into the playoffs, which will probably require victories in at least four of their remaining five games. And it is not going to be easy.

Cincinnati, which improved to 4-8 with its win over the Ravens, has a difficult road ahead, starting with Sunday afternoon’s trip to Buffalo. The Bills currently stand at 8-4 and have moved up to No. 9 in ESPN’s latest Power Rankings.

Next up is the follow-up game against the Ravens, this time in Cincinnati. The Bengals have not beaten Baltimore twice in the same season since their Super Bowl Season of 2021. The Ravens fell to No. 19 in the Power Rankings after their initial loss to Cincinnati.

Cincinnati finishes the season with games at Miami (5-7, No. 20), and at home against Arizona (3-9, No. 26) and Cleveland (3-9. No. 27). That final game will likely feature Deshaun Watson back under center for the Browns. Cleveland currently boasts the No. 2 defense in the NFL.

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/182095/nfl-power-rankings

 

[Cincinnati Bengals]

5 keys to Bengals beating the Bills

While the Bengals’ playoff odds are long, there is still a chance that they can win the division if they win out. So against all odds, we get meaningful games in December.

It’s a Festivus miracle!

9 + 1​

The boys are back in town.

This weekend, the Bengals will have Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase together for the first time since September 14th. This duo has won a triple crown, receiving a title and multiple Comeback Player of the Year awards. In Cincinnati, the pair has connected on 387 passes for 5,317 yards and 46 touchdowns, and that’s not even including what they did together in college.

Now the team’s heart and soul are back together with the season on the line.

Reunited and it feels so good.

Run Defense​

While the defense has vastly improved in recent weeks, this week will be a serious challenge.

The Bills are the NFL’s top-ranked rushing team, averaging 155.7 yards rushing per game and 5 yards per rush attempt. James Cook leads the way with 1,228 yards this season, and quarterback Josh Allen is a true dual threat.

Although they seem to have cleaned it up since the bye week, the Bengals have had some serious tackling issues this season. Among the biggest offenders were their pair of rookie linebackers, Demetrius Knight and Barrett Carter. The two had their hands full chasing Lamar Jackson outside the pocket a week ago, so Allen could present a particularly large challenge.

Play from the Front​

The offense can help the defense out by scoring early and often. This will put pressure on the Bills’ offense to score and discourage them from running the ball.

Offensive coordinators love to talk about analytics, but put some points on the other side of the scoreboard, and they will react emotionally.

Meanwhile, the Bengals’ offense can run the ball against a Bills defense that ranks 30th in the league. This could be a very big day for Chase Brown as long as the Bengals can control the game.

Time of Possession​

One thing that really helped the defense out a week ago was that they were rarely on the field.

The Bengals beat the Ravens in time of possession by over 17 minutes and took 23 more snaps than the Ravens did. Essentially, the Ravens defense was forced to defend the Bengals offense for a quarter longer than the Bengals had to worry about Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry.

The defense is still developing, and controlling the game will make it a lot easier for them.

Finish Drives​

As good as many things looked for the Bengals on Thanksgiving, they were a pitiful 1-6 in the red zone. You are not going to win many games like that.

They need to figure out how to get the ball in the end zone and finish those drives with seven points instead of three (or zero

Source: https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-analysis/182067/5-keys-beating-bills-week-14