Billy Riccette, Bengals WireWed, November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM UTC·2 min readAnother disappointing loss dropped the Cincinnati Bengals to 3-8 and has all but sunk the season. Sure, Joe Burrow may be returning on Thanksgiving, but it’s probably too little too late.
Needless to say, the Bengals remain near the bottom of the various power rankings across the media. But how far? Let’s take a look.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementUSA Today: No. 23 (Last Week: 23)
From Nate Davis:
QB Joe Burrow will apparently make his first start since Week 2 on Thanksgiving night in Baltimore. Whether that's a good idea, especially as it pertains to Burrow's health, remains very much unclear.
ESPN: No. 25 (Last Week: 23)
From Ben Baby: (on best Thanksgiving game memory)
The Bengals are one of four teams with just one Thanksgiving game in their franchise history. That game at the Jets, a 26-10 loss, was full of notable players, including some eventual Hall of Famers (Terrell Owens, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darrelle Revis and Jason Taylor). A fun fact: Nick Folk was the Jets' kicker in that game. Folk, 41, is again their kicker.
RELATED: Bengals might adjust playbook for Joe Burrow without ‘full mobility’
The Athletic: No. 25 (Last Week: 23)
From Josh Kendall and Chad Graff:
The star quarterback appears to be primed for a return on Thanksgiving night, but it seems like it’s coming in a lost season for the Bengals. Their defense is still terrible, and Burrow will need to run the table just to have a shot at the postseason. Our playoff simulator suggests there’s just a 3 percent chance of that happening.
NFL.com: No. 25 (Last Week: 25)
From Eric Edholm:
It's possible we've seen the last of Joe Flacco as starter after another rough showing, with Joe Burrow expected to return on Thursday night. It might take six straight wins to have any shot at the postseason, something this franchise hasn't participated in since the 2022 campaign. The defense has been horrendous in several of Cincinnati's losses this season, but it would be hard to place the blame on that unit for Week 12's 26-20 defeat to New England. Al Golden's group battled, pick-sixing Drake Maye and earning a pair of goal-line stops, giving the Bengals a chance to upset the Pats. Realistically, the remainder of the season should be used to evaluate the core pieces that should be back next season, although Burrow summoning some magic in the next three games against the Ravens (two contests) and Bills could temporarily change the focus.
FOX Sports: No. 27 (Last Week: 27)
From Ralph Vacchiano:
Joe Burrow is expected back on Thanksgiving in Baltimore. But it’s too late. The Bengals went 1-8 while he was out and can only play a spoiler’s role now.
NBC Sports: No. 26 (Last Week: 25)
From Mike Florio:
Why put Joe Burrow at risk?
CBS Sports: No. 27 (Last Week: 28)
From Pete Prisco:
At 3-8, they are done. But if he is cleared and wants to play, why shouldn't he?
RELATED: Trey Hendrickson injury could force Bengals DE into offseason surgery
This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: NFL power rankings wonder about Joe Burrow 'magic' in Week 13
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