Bengals ought to resist urge to deliver Joe Burrow again, plus recreation balls from Week 11

The Cincinnati Bengals have to battle the urge to deliver Joe Burrow again in 2025. Frankly, they have not performed nicely sufficient in his absence for it to make any logical sense to place him again underneath heart. 

This week, the famous person quarterback made his return to the follow subject because the group opened up his 21-day follow window. This comes after he landed on injured reserve because of a turf toe harm he suffered in Week 2. CBS Sports activities’ Melanie Collins reported amid Cincinnati’s Week 11 contest with the Pittsburgh Steelers that Burrow did 7-on-7 work throughout follow final week, and is anticipated to throw 11-on-11 towards the scout crew this upcoming week. 

As for when the Bengals are aiming for him to get again underneath heart in a regular-season recreation, this is what Collins needed to say: “I used to be advised by the Bengals this morning that Week 13 towards the Ravens is a chance, as is Week 14 towards the Payments. However as of now, no definitive return date for Joe Burrow.” 

In a vacuum, it is encouraging to see Burrow making progress from a nasty harm like turf toe. However once we have a look at the present state of his crew, they are not ok for it to make sense to activate and begin him down the stretch, and Sunday’s 34-12 loss to Pittsburgh was the newest instance of why. 

The membership continues to be a turnstile on protection, permitting the Steelers to log 343 yards of complete offense. That got here whilst Aaron Rodgers left the competition halfway because of a left wrist harm. Actually, profession backup Mason Rudolph was much more environment friendly than Rodgers, coming in underneath duress, finishing  12 of his 16 throws for 127 yards and a landing. 

The Bengals are permitting essentially the most factors per recreation (33.4) in a season for the reason that 1966 New York Giants. Cincinnati has allowed not less than 27 factors and 340 yards of offense in 9 straight video games, which is the longest streak within the NFL since 1970. 

Since starting the yr 2-0 with Burrow because the starter (he left halfway by Week 2), the crew has misplaced seven of its final eight video games in his absence. Cincinnati is 3-7 on the season, which has them three video games behind the Steelers within the loss column for first place within the division, and they’re three video games behind the Jaguars within the loss column for the ultimate wild-card spot. They might lose much more floor this time subsequent week after they go to the New England Patriots, who’re seven-point favorites in the mean time. If that performs out just like the oddsmakers anticipate it can, you are taking a look at a 3-8 crew that’s firmly on life help simply because it will get inside the vary of bringing Burrow again. 

It makes little sense to ask Burrow to shake off the rust instantly, throw it all around the yard in hopes of scoring into the mid-30s simply to possibly inch nearer to .500. Even when Burrow does get Cincinnati’s offense scoring at a excessive diploma, this protection has proven us that they can not be trusted to assist maintain up its finish of the discount. Over the past two seasons, the Bengals are 1-4 after they’ve scored not less than 38 factors. 

On prime of the crew not being geared up to compete even in his return, Burrow’s harm historical past is one more reason to maintain him on the shelf. The one manner this season can worsen for Cincinnati is for it to deliver Burrow again amid an already misplaced season, just for him to endure one other harm that might dent his availability for 2026. 

Had the Bengals held down the fort and been sniffing .500, there is a case to be made to welcome Burrow again with open arms, however that is not the fact, and the crew should not deliver again its golden goose only for the heck of it.

Recreation balls

• Week 11 stats: 19 of 30 passing, 317 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 6 carries, 40 yards dashing, 3 TDs

In a wild back-and-forth matchup towards Tampa Bay, Josh Allen was in a position to assist his crew to a 44-32 victory. The Payments quarterback had some questionable interceptions within the profitable effort, however was additionally a power. Allen tallied six complete touchdowns. It was simply the third time in NFL historical past {that a} participant had three passing touchdowns and three dashing touchdowns in a recreation (Allen in 2024 vs. Rams and Otto Graham within the 1954 NFL Championship Recreation). 

• Week 11 stats: 19 carries, 106 yards dashing, 2 TDs; 2 catches, 34 yards receiving, 1 TD

In case you began Sean Tucker in fantasy this week, can I borrow your crystal ball for Week 12? Who noticed this explosive day from the Bucs again coming? Tucker turned simply the fourth participant in franchise historical past with two dashing touchdowns and a receiving landing in a recreation. Naturally, this was profession day for Tucker within the landing division, and it was simply his second 100-yard dashing day of his profession. 

• Week 11 stats: 21 carries, 120 yards dashing; 5 catches, 45 yards receiving

Achane has been on a tear over the previous two weeks and was a key cog in Miami pulling out the win over Washington in Madrid. The Dolphins again had 165 scrimmage yards on 26 touches on Sunday. What was most spectacular was that 78 of these scrimmage yards got here within the fourth quarter. 

• Week 11 stats: 31 of 45 passing, 448 yards passing, 3 TDs

Younger’s 448 yards by the air are essentially the most by a Panthers quarterback in a recreation in franchise historical past. What makes that much more spectacular is that Younger did this in an time beyond regulation win for Carolina towards the No. 1-ranked go protection within the NFL. The previous prime decide’s three passing touchdowns have been additionally a profession excessive. 

• Week 11 stats: 8 catches, 130 yards receiving, 2 TDs

Younger’s go-to goal on his profession day was first-round rookie Tetairoa McMillan, who additionally made some historical past. He set single-game profession highs in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns within the time beyond regulation win over Atlanta. McMillan additionally turned simply the second rookie in Panthers historical past with not less than 100 yards receiving and two receiving touchdowns in a recreation, becoming a member of David Gettis in 2010. 

• Week 11 stats: 5 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks

Garrett was as soon as once more a menace and almost spearheaded an upset win over the Baltimore Ravens. He already has 15 sacks on the yr, which is one shy of tying his profession excessive. Garrett is the primary participant in NFL historical past to document not less than 12 sacks in six consecutive seasons, and is the third participant in NFL historical past with 10 or extra sacks in a three-game span. 

• Week 11 stats: 15 catches, 185 yards receiving

Have a day, Michael Wilson! Whereas it got here in a dropping effort, Wilson was a monster for Arizona, hauling in 15 of his 18 targets. His 185 receiving yards are essentially the most by any Cardinals participant since John Brown in 2015. It is also essentially the most receiving yards by any participant in a recreation this season. 

Notable Week 11 gaffes

Mike McDaniel makes puzzling goal-line determination

It finally did not matter as a result of Miami went on to win in time beyond regulation over the Commanders, however Mike McDaniel was taking part in with hearth within the ultimate minutes of regulation. The Dolphins received the soccer all the way down to the purpose line, however have been unable to cross for a landing on a third-and-goal rush by Achane. That failed try on third down got here after the two-minute warning, and Washington had already burned all of its timeouts, so a logical prepare of thought would level to Miami kicking a subject purpose to interrupt the 13-13 tie with 1:44 left on the clock. 

As a substitute of taking the lead with a go-ahead chip-shot subject purpose, McDaniel left his offense on the sector, and it didn’t convert on fourth down. 

The Commanders have been in a position to drive down the sector to arrange what would’ve been a game-winning 56-yard subject purpose for Matt Homosexual, however it sailed vast proper. Had that gone by, McDaniel’s seat possible would’ve been even hotter than it already is, so he was lucky to tug out the time beyond regulation victory. 

Jalen Ramsey ejected after alleged spit from Ja’Marr Chase

Jalen Ramsey was ejected within the opening minutes of the fourth quarter of Pittsburgh’s matchup towards the Bengals. The Steelers defensive again was referred to as for an unsportsmanlike penalty and thrown out of the sport for throwing a punch at wideout Ja’Marr Chase. 

It was revealed after the sport that Ramsey threw the punch in retaliation after he claimed Chase spit on him. In a field-level video from Fox 19 Sports activities, it does appear to point out Chase spitting at Ramsey, after which the scuffle sparked from there. 

It must be famous that if the NFL confirms that Chase did spit on Ramsey, the star vast receiver may very well be topic to punishment from the league workplace. Earlier this season, Philadelphia Eagles defensive sort out Jalen Carter was suspended for a recreation (with credit score for time served) for the same occasion towards Dallas. 

Sean Payton flagged for unsportsmanlike penalty

The Denver Broncos head coach did not have the very best consciousness within the second half of Denver’s AFC West matchup towards the Chiefs. Whereas watching the play from the sideline, Payton was too near the taking part in subject and in the best way of the official as he was operating upfield. The 2 then collided and hit the deck exhausting, which triggered the penalty on the top coach. 

Two-minute drills

Listed below are a few of my quick-hitting takeaways/notes from Week 11: 

• The Chiefs’ bid for 10 straight division titles possible went up in smoke Sunday. At 5-5, this was the primary day I actually puzzled in the event that they’d miss the playoffs. 
• Denver would possibly win the AFC West and get into the playoffs, however I’ve my doubts about them making a major run. 
• Sure, Sam Darnold appeared terrible Sunday together with his first four-interception day for the reason that notorious “Seeing Ghosts” recreation with the Jets again in 2019. Nevertheless, are we simply going to disregard the truth that Seattle had a shot to win within the ultimate seconds regardless of all that? That seems like an underrated piece to Los Angeles’ win. 
• Matthew Stafford has thrown 24 straight touchdowns with out an interception, which is the second-longest streak of all time.
• It was an unsightly win, however Baltimore is all of the sudden 5-5 and a winner of 4 straight. The Ravens tackle the Jets in Week 12, and with Aaron Rodgers injured, the door could also be open to climb atop the AFC North standings. 
• Due to ineptitude on offense, Cleveland’s all-world protection is not getting almost sufficient love. Whereas Myles Garrett’s 4 sacks garnered many of the consideration, do not sleep on rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger. The second rounder was in every single place on Sunday with 11 tackles and a go breakup. 
• Whereas he got here in underneath duress, Shedeur Sanders did not precisely impress in his debut. The sport felt a bit of too fast for him. 
• Jacoby Brissett’s 47 completions are essentially the most in a recreation in NFL historical past (47), beating the earlier document of 45 held by Drew Bledsoe and Jared Goff. 
• With Brock Purdy again underneath heart, San Francisco scored a season-high 41 factors. At 7-4, the 49ers are nonetheless very a lot alive within the NFC West race. 
• All eyes will probably be on Michael Penix Jr. after he left Sunday’s loss with a knee harm. Nevertheless, this defensive regression is regarding. Atlanta is permitting 27.8 factors per recreation and 399.6 complete yards per recreation over this five-game dropping streak. 
• Accidents appear to lastly be catching as much as the Chargers, who scored simply six factors on offense and let the Jaguars drop 35. 
• Bhayshul Tuten and Travis Etienne mixed for 147 yards dashing and three touchdowns for Jacksonville. 
• J.J. McCarthy is the primary quarterback with an interception in his first 5 begins since … Zach Wilson (2021).
• The Bears are 5-3 this season when down within the ultimate two minutes. 
• It did not burn them this week, however the Packers as soon as once more performed all the way down to their competitors, which has me questioning their skill to stay as much as their Tremendous Bowl caliber expertise. 
• Philadelphia’s protection was all over Sunday evening, however Jared Goff additionally missed a lot of layup throws. A uncommon dud for the Lions quarterback, albeit towards a stellar protection.