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The Cincinnati Bengals encountered a rocky start to their Thanksgiving preparations when their flight from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport experienced significant delays.
Initially scheduled for departure at 5 p.m. ET, the team’s flight finally took off at 10:32 p.m. ET. FlightAware reported this five-hour delay, forcing the Bengals to delay their arrival in Baltimore until after midnight.
The anticipated landing time was 6:19 p.m. ET, but the Bengals did not touch down at Baltimore/Washington International Airport until 12:03 a.m., technically resulting in an arrival on Thanksgiving Day.
Local news outlet WLWT in Cincinnati indicated that the team had to change planes during the delay, although the reasons behind this decision have not yet been disclosed.
This situation posed a challenging scenario for the Bengals, who were preparing to face their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, later that evening. Had the game been scheduled for an earlier time, the delays could have proved even more problematic.
Thanksgiving Day featured an array of NFL matchups, with the Green Bay Packers taking on the Detroit Lions in the first game, followed by the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Kansas City Chiefs at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Despite their current record of 3-8, the Bengals view this game as critical. The return of starting quarterback Joe Burrow, who has recovered from toe surgery after an injury sustained in Week 2, adds to the stakes.
Burrow participated fully in practice prior to the game but did not play in the previous Sunday’s contest. Head coach Zac Taylor made the strategic decision to keep Burrow on the sidelines that week, knowing a short turnaround loomed with the Thursday night matchup against the Ravens.
Cincinnati has struggled recently, losing their last four games. However, Burrow has been a pivotal factor in their past successes, boasting an impressive 7-0 record in his last seven starts prior to this season’s injury.
Moreover, Burrow expressed his concerns ahead of yet another prime-time encounter against the Ravens on the road. He humorously remarked about wanting a future matchup to occur in Cincinnati instead of Baltimore.
On the other side, the Ravens have regained their footing after a tumultuous start to the season. After dropping five of their first six games, they have bounced back to win five consecutive matchups, a turnaround that has them vying for the top spot in the AFC North alongside the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With playoff implications hanging in the balance, both teams recognize the necessity to secure a win. The intensity of this rivalry, combined with their differing trajectories this season, sets the stage for a captivating Thanksgiving evening game.
As the Bengals navigate the challenges posed by travel delays and an uphill battle on the field, they remain hopeful that Burrow’s return will energize the team. Fans await what promises to be an electrifying AFC North showdown.
