Joe Burrow started the 2025 season slowly, despite the Bengals’ 2-0 start. Burrow went down with a turf toe injury in that week 2 game against the Jaguars, and most thought he was going to be out for the rest of the season.
However, Burrow returned after missing just nine games and made his first start against the Baltimore Ravens this week. Burrow came out and reminded people just how good he really is.
Joe Burrow Is Still An Elite Quarterback
Burrow made his long-awaited return this week, and it didn’t start as Bengals fans had hoped. The first half of the game saw some good throws, but more throws where the timing wasn’t right or where Burrow just missed.
He moved well despite his injured toe, but it was clear that he was still rusty. He struggled in the red zone, and despite getting multiple opportunities, the Bengals only came away with four field goals in the first half.
However, in the second half, Burrow came out and played really well. He came out and led the Bengals on back-to-back touchdown drives to open the second half. On the first, he hit Tanner Hudson for a beautiful one-handed catch in the back corner of the end zone.
He then hit Andrei Iosivas over the middle on a 29-yard touchdown pass. Both passes were placed perfectly, and the second put the Bengals up by 15 points entering the fourth quarter.
There was considerable concern about how Burrow would perform coming back from his injury. He was playing with a plate in his shoe to help protect his toe, but it didn’t seem to affect him at all.
Burrow rolled out on multiple plays to start the game and showed no signs of issues. It was also a good sign to see Burrow stay mobile and show no signs of problems with his toe as the game progressed.
The Ravens had been one of the hottest teams in the league coming into today. They had won five in a row, and their defense had been playing as well as any defense in the league.
It looked like they were going to do the same thing to Burrow in the first half. However, Burrow came out in the second half and showed that he is still one of the elite quarterbacks in the NFL.
Burrows’ overall stat line will not blow you away. He completed just 52% of his passes for 261 yards and two touchdowns. However, he never seemed rattled and didn’t make the mistakes that Lamar Jackson and the Ravens made.
He guided the Bengals’ offense in the second half and helped keep the Bengals in a commanding lead the entire fourth quarter. Burrow came back and cooked the Ravens on Thanksgiving, reminding everyone he is still elite.