Cincinnati Bengals: Chasing More Star Games at Home
The Cincinnati Bengals are preparing for an exciting Thanksgiving trip. Star quarterback Joe Burrow, although he prefers to play at home, recognizes the importance of these encounters.
Cincinnati will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, a classic AFC North division matchup. Burrow, with a touch of humor, made a call to the NFL schedule makers.
“Playing in Baltimore for the fourth consecutive time in prime time isn’t ideal. Maybe we can have one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please.”
Joe Burrow
The Bengals have played at MT&T Bank Stadium in primetime for the last three seasons, suffering defeats on each occasion, including a close 35-34 loss in Week 10 last year.
This matchup pits two of the most successful teams in the AFC North in recent years against each other. The Bengals won the division in 2021 and 2022, before the Ravens were crowned in 2023 and 2024. Baltimore has dominated the recent series, winning four straight games against Cincinnati.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor joined Burrow’s comments, expressing the team’s desire to have more prime-time games at Paycor Stadium. This year, three of Cincinnati’s four night games are on the road.
Taylor highlighted the team’s success in those situations last season, where they won three of the five prime-time road games in 2024, and stated that the team is ready for this year’s challenge.
“Playing on Thanksgiving night in a unique game with the whole world watching, sitting on their couches, is really exciting. That’s why you’re in this business.”
Zac Taylor
In addition to prime-time games, Burrow also expressed his desire for the Bengals to participate in an international game. Cincinnati was not selected to play against the Dolphins in Spain this year and is not scheduled for an international game until 2027, according to Katie Blackburn, Bengals executive vice president.
Burrow mentioned that part of his participation in the Netflix program “Quarterback” was to expand the league’s presence internationally.
“Not having a stage like that is a bit disappointing. I feel like I’ve consciously worked to try to grow the game internationally over the last 18 months or so. I hope that at some point in my career we can go there.”
Joe Burrow
