Thanksgiving Night was supposed to be a celebration, especially for the Cincinnati Bengals, who were back in action with Joe Burrow at quarterback, and the Baltimore Ravens, who were riding high after a five-game winning streak.  Instead, at M&T Bank Stadium, things unraveled quickly.  After a night marred by turnovers and missed opportunities, Baltimore lost 32-14, handing the Bengals a convincing victory and shaking up the AFC North race.

Turnovers: The Tale of Two Teams

If one statistic defined the night, it was turnovers.  The Ravens turned the ball over five times (four fumbles and one interception), which was more than enough to disrupt their rhythm. 

Quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled twice and threw an interception, which are uncharacteristic for a player of his caliber.   Tight end Isaiah Likely appeared to help Baltimore take a 14-6 lead with a catch and run, only to lose the ball at the goal line.  The fumble rolled out of the end zone, immediately returning possession and momentum to Cincinnati. 

Add in a half-dozen penalties, including a crucial pass-interference call that prolonged a Bengals drive, and the Ravens’ mistakes piled up faster than Thanksgiving leftovers.

Bengals Snap Streak in Burrow’s Return

The Bengals had a night to remember.  Joe Burrow, in his first game in more than two months after recovering from a turf-toe injury, looked sharp, going 24 of 46 for 261 yards with two second-half touchdown passes and no turnovers. 

Ja’Marr Chase, a wide receiver, added fuel to the fire by catching passes for 110 yards.   And kicker Evan McPherson delivered when it mattered, nailing a career-high six field goals and making the most of every Bengals possession that did not result in a touchdown. 

By halftime, Cincinnati had gained control.  Despite Baltimore’s early touchdown run by Derrick Henry, turnovers and miscues turned the game into a Bengals showcase.

Consequences for Baltimore: AFC North Fallout

The loss ended Baltimore’s five-game winning streak and moved them out of first place in the AFC North.  With the loss, their record fell to 6-6, and the divisional lead shifted — suddenly, the race for the top spot is wide open again. 

What hurts the most is that this wasn’t against a powerhouse, but against a Bengals team that had struggled throughout the season.  This makes the collapse even more troubling, raising uncomfortable questions about consistency and ball security under pressure.

What Baltimore Must Fix — If Playoffs Are Still the Goal

For the Ravens to recover from this, a course correction is long overdue:

Five turnovers, particularly from key players, are simply unacceptable.

Too many penalties, especially unforced ones, are lethal at this level.

Relying heavily on the pass game while under pressure proved costly.  Establishing the run and protecting the quarterback cannot be options; they must be fundamentals.

The next few games will put focus, discipline, and execution to the test, as well as talent.

If Baltimore wants to keep their playoff hopes alive — and competitive in the division — they must clean things up quickly.

Final Thought — A Tough Loss, But a Needed Wake-Up Call

Thanksgiving night should have been a chance to rebound.  Instead, it served as a bitter reminder that in the NFL, mistakes cost more than just drives; they cost games, momentum, and, in some cases, playoff positioning.

For the Ravens, the 32-14 loss to the Bengals is more than just a blemish on their record.  This is a wake-up call.  And if they want Thanksgiving Week to be memorable in the future, it will require accountability, execution, and fewer turnovers.