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