The NFL has confirmed the schedule for the league’s franchises for the 2025 season, and Joe Burrow hasn’t liked how some of the Cincinnati Bengals’ games have been distributed, referring more specifically to the matchup against the Baltimore Ravens and their star quarterback Lamar Jackson.
The new season is shaping up to be the most competitive in the AFC North in years. The Bengals fell short of making the playoffs after finishing the regular season with a 9-8 record. The Ravens are direct rivals in the race to qualify for the postseason, which is why Burrow is focusing specifically on them.
The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns also promise to make noise in the upcoming season, setting the stage for an intense rivalry in the AFC. In that context, the difference could come down to the details. For Burrow, the schedule is one of those factors that can change the outlook of a season, especially when it involves facing Jackson in Baltimore on Thanksgiving Day.
Burrow’s criticism to the NFL
“Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight year in prime time isn’t ideal. Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati. Please,” Burrow said, according to the Bengals’ official website. At the same time, the Cincinnati star criticized the league’s organization for not having an international game on their schedule.
Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens watches the action during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“To not have a stage like that is a little disappointing. I feel like I’ve consciously worked hard to try to grow the game internationally over the last 18 months or so. Hopefully at some point in my career we can go over there,” Burrow also said.
Burrow’s discontent has solid grounds behind it
Thanksgiving Day game will mark the fourth consecutive time the Bengals visit Lamar Jackson’s Ravens in prime time. In the previous three meetings, Cincinnati has fallen to Baltimore— a record that gives Burrow more than enough reason to be frustrated with the schedule makers.
