NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
The Cincinnati Bengals did not have a good start to Thanksgiving Day.
The team’s flight Wednesday evening from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport was scheduled for 5 p.m. ET, but they weren’t able to get airborne for their trip to Baltimore until 10:32 p.m. ET, according to FlightAware.
As a result, the Bengals, who play their AFC North rivals the Ravens on Thanksgiving night, didn’t arrive at their hotel until after midnight.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
Ja’Marr Chase of the Cincinnati Bengals looks on before an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium on October 16, 2025, in Cincinnati. (Michael Owens/Getty Images)
The team was supposed to land in Baltimore at 6:19 p.m. ET, but they technically landed on Thanksgiving and arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Airport at 12:03 a.m.
WLWT in Cincinnati also reported that the Bengals had to change planes, although it was unclear why they were forced to change.
JOE BURROW ELIMINATES INJURY CONCERNS BY RETURNING FOR 3-8 BENGALS AHEAD OF THANKS SHOW WITH RAVENS
This was not an ideal situation for the Bengals; however, the situation could have been worse if the flight had been delayed later. If the match had taken place earlier in the day, it would have certainly caused more problems.
The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions played the first game on Thanksgiving Day, while the Dallas Cowboys hosted the Kansas City Chiefs for the 4:25 p.m. ET start.
With the Bengals sitting at 3-8, this is a huge game for the franchise as they welcome back starting quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been recovering from toe surgery following an injury in Week 2 this season.
Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Cincinnati. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Burrow did not play last Sunday despite participating in practice in his own right, but head coach Zac Taylor called with the short week ahead and Thursday night’s game in mind.
Cincinnati has lost its last four games. However, Burrow hasn’t lost a game since December 2024, going 7-0 in his last seven starts.
Burrow also had qualms about facing the Ravens for the fourth straight year in prime time on the road.
“Maybe we can have one in Cincinnati next year, please,” Burrow said in May.
Bundle FOX One and FOX Nation to stream the entire FOX Nation library, plus live FOX News, Sports and Entertainment at our lowest price of the year. Offer ends January 4, 2026. (Fox One; Fox Nation)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
Meanwhile, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are winners of their last five games after shockingly starting the season 1-5. They share the AFC North lead with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making this another crucial game for the franchise’s playoff hopes.
