Bengals Experience Travel Woes Before Thanksgiving Game
The Cincinnati Bengals didn’t kick off their Thanksgiving as smoothly as they had hoped. Their flight from Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport was initially scheduled for 5 p.m. ET on Wednesday. However, the team didn’t manage to board until 10:32 p.m. ET, leading to a late arrival in Baltimore.
As a result, the Bengals, who are set to face the AFC North rival Ravens on Thanksgiving night, reached their hotel past midnight. They were supposed to land in Baltimore by 6:19 p.m. ET, but they finally arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Airport at 12:03 a.m., effectively putting them in Baltimore on Thanksgiving itself.
Reports indicated that the Bengals had to change their flight plans, but details on why this occurred remain unclear. This situation wasn’t ideal, to put it mildly. However, it could have been even more problematic if the game had taken place earlier in the day.
On Thanksgiving, fans will see the Green Bay Packers square off against the Detroit Lions, while the Dallas Cowboys will host the Kansas City Chiefs starting at 4:25 p.m. ET.
As for the Bengals, they currently sit at 3-8, but this game is pivotal for them, especially with starting quarterback Joe Burrow making his return after having undergone toe surgery following an injury in Week 2 of the season. Burrow was a full participant in practice last Sunday but didn’t play; head coach Zac Taylor is now focusing on the upcoming game.
In the last four games, the Bengals have struggled. Despite this, Burrow hasn’t lost since December 2024, boasting a 7-0 record in his previous starts. He’s expressed concerns about playing against the Ravens in a primetime slot for the fourth consecutive year, joking about wanting more games in Cincinnati in the future.
On the other hand, the Ravens, led by Lamar Jackson, have picked up momentum, winning their last five games after a rough start to the season at 1-5. They currently share the top spot in the AFC North with the Pittsburgh Steelers, making this matchup crucial for both teams’ playoff aspirations.
