Can Joe Burrow and the Bengals turn the AFC North upside down?
Yahoo Sports host Andrew Siciliano, senior NFL reporter Jori Epstein and betting analyst Ben Fawkes preview the Bengals - Ravens Thanksgiving game. Check out the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts , Spotify , YouTube or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
Now, what's crazy about this is that even though they're three and eight, Joy, with a win and a Pittsburgh loss, Cincinnati would be only two games back, With 5 games to go.
I think the AFC North is all about chaos.
I know the Ravens' defense is playing fantastically, but Ja'Marr Chase's back.
I think the Bengals are going in there and win.
Am I nuts?
It's funny because when I saw Joe Burrow Was coming back, I'm like, wait, whether or not the Bengals can make the playoffs, I do think Joe Burrow can seriously impact who wins the AFC North, since he has two games Against the Ravens.
It looks like the Ravens had a cakewalk.
Schedule by NFL standards, of course, and now it doesn't look like that anymore with Joe Burrow back.
On the other hand, I do wonder a bit, Are we putting too much stock in what Joe Burrow did in previous years?
Because Joe Flacco and that offense have looked pretty good.
It's really been the defense more so.
I mean, Think about that crazy, what, 4241 game in Chicago.
It wasn't about the offense or if Joe Burrow was present, It was much more; could the defense stop anyone?
And then you look back at the one full game he played this year.
And he was 14 of 23, 113 yards, 1 touchdown.
I mean, You were there for that, Andrew, against the Browns.
And so he didn't start the season super quick, even though the Bengals did all of this Stuff, and I was there for their first day of training camp when they were practicing in the Morning rather than night to try and have this microcosm of: can we start early and can we Start quicker into the season now.
I will be interested to see that.
Yes, I still think Joe Burrow is a great player, but I do wonder.
Are we putting too much stock in 2025 Joe?
Burrow compared to 2025 Joe Flacco?
So now it's yall turn to tell me if Im crazy.
