To little surprise, fans and players had strong reactions to the recently released 2025 NFL schedule. Many noticed that the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, and Detroit Lions will have the toughest schedules next year.
On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bengals are closer to the middle of the pack in terms of strength of schedule. However, that didn’t stop quarterback Joe Burrow from sharing his frustration during a recent interview.
But as needed in any good rivalry, a Baltimore Ravens player has a shocking response to Burrow’s grievances.
Ravens’ Isaiah Likely Gives Mind-Blowing Answer to Joe Burrow’s Complaint
Burrow vented his disappointment over the Bengals again getting passed over for an international game. More notably, Burrow also complained that the league gave the Bengals a primetime game in Baltimore against the Ravens for the fourth straight season. He said it would be nice to play a primetime matchup against the Ravens in Cincinnati.
Joe Burrow says it’s not ideal the Bengals got a 4th straight primetime game in Baltimore vs. the Ravens. He wants an international game too.
(via @Bengals) pic.twitter.com/nOS5BU3rFC
— Ari M (@AriMeirov)
Those comments were noticed by Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely. In a recent interview with Kay Adams on her show “Up & Adams,” Likely was asked about Burrow’s comments and the nature of having primetime games at M&T Bank Stadium, or The Bank as Likely calls it.
“Man, if you’ve ever been to The Bank on a Monday night, Thursday night, when the crowds rocking. They start the game off, everything go pitch black, you see the purple lights go out. You know the crowds are about to be rocking,” said Likely about the primetime atmosphere at home.
"I don't even know what their stadium is called"…. 🤦🏻♀️😳‼️
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely on THE BENGALS, and the 4th prime-time game between them being at the bank.@DaGorilla4 pic.twitter.com/OppFQzaOzi
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams)
He added that the Bengals just always seem to draw the short straw and have to travel to them to play. Likely recognizes that the environment can be intimidating. Ravens fans are incredibly passionate, and the players find the support beneficial.
“They don’t like us and we don’t like them,” said Likely. “We love the atmosphere. We love playing at The Bank because then we get to tee off and have fun and have the crowd on our side as well.
Adams asked Likely if he knew that the Bengals fans were upset about the schedule and if he had heard Burrow’s comments.
“I seen the little clip of Joe [Burrow] saying that he wants a game in Cincinnati, out there, on Prime Time. I mean, I don’t even know what their stadium is called,” said Likely with a shrug and a smile. “I just know when you come to The Bank, in primetime television, that’s just somewhere nobody else wanna be.”
“You just gave them bulletin board material!” exclaimed Adams as she covered her face in disbelief.
She added she couldn’t believe he didn’t know they played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Adams said she expected him to say he was confident they would win anywhere, and Likely said that goes without saying.
The Bengals and Ravens will face each other two weeks apart in Weeks 13 and 15, near the end of the season. The Week 13 game will be at 8:30 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium, while the Week 15 game will be at 1:00 p.m. at Paycor Stadium. The Ravens have bested the Bengals all-time with a record of 32-27.