It has been a rough 2025 NFL season for the Cincinnati Bengals, with the season going off the rails after superstar quarterback Joe Burrow went down with a toe injury in Week 2 that required surgery.
Despite starting the season with two straight wins, the Bengals have struggled ever since, as this team simply can’t replace Burrow under center and continue to function the same way on the football field.
Even though veteran journeyman Joe Flacco has played well at times during his stint with the Bengals, the team desperately needs Burrow back on the gridiron to have any hope of making a run at clinching a playoff spot in the AFC.
Joe Burrow Trending Toward Returning in Week 12
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fortunately for the Bengals, things appear to be trending in the right direction regarding Burrow’s status heading into Week 12’s matchup against the upstart New England Patriots. The two-time Pro Bowler was seen practicing with the starters on Thursday, according to Ben Baby of ESPN.
With the season on the line every week from here on out in terms of playoff hopes, Burrow is likely anxious to get back on the field to help his team win games moving forward, especially with a tough stretch of the schedule starting this Sunday when the Bengals host the Patriots at Paycor Stadium.
Following a tough matchup against the red-hot Patriots, who have won eight straight games, the Bengals will face their division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, twice in the next three games, with a game against Josh Allen‘s Buffalo Bills in Week 14.
Even with a healthy Burrow back under center, Cincinnati will need a fair amount of luck, along with the defense stepping up, in order to come out on top in each of the next four games against these AFC heavyweights.
However, if Burrow can play this Sunday and get back on track, the Bengals have a chance to make some noise in the second half of the 2025 campaign.
Can Joe Burrow Lead Bengals to the NFL Playoffs?
GettyJoe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Bengals’ playoff hopes hinge on Burrow’s status moving forward and whether he can play at a high level right from the start. There’s no margin for error for Cincinnati moving forward, as it will be tough to get back in the race for the AFC North division title, with the Ravens (5-5) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-4) sitting ahead of them.
Despite sporting a 3-7 record, there’s a chance the Bengals can bounce back with Burrow back in the mix and make a second-half run to clinch a playoff spot.
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bengals can quickly turn things around if Burrow is cleared to play Sunday against the Patriots. Snapping New England’s impressive eight-game win streak would definitely provide some much-needed momentum for Cincinnati to get back on track and turns some heads around the NFL as a dangerous team in the AFC in the final stretch of the season.
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