Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered

Thanksgiving NFL games hold a special place in football lore—blending family traditions, holiday cheer, and high-stakes competition—and the Cincinnati Bengals’ 31-24 victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving 2024 stands out as one of the most memorable in recent years. More than just a regular-season win, this game was a statement for the Bengals, who had struggled against the Ravens in the previous two seasons, and a bitter setback for Baltimore, which had entered the day with playoff aspirations firmly in sight. From the pre-game turkey-themed festivities to the dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, every moment of this matchup etched itself into the minds of fans, players, and coaches alike. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered revisits the magic of that day, the key plays that decided the game, and why it remains a talking point for both franchises long after the holiday leftovers were gone.

The stage was set for a classic Thanksgiving showdown at Cincinnati’s Paycor Stadium, where a sold-out crowd decked in orange and black mingled with Ravens fans in purple, all treated to pre-game performances by a high school marching band playing holiday classics and a turkey-calling contest that drew laughs from players on both sidelines. On the field, the stakes were high: the Bengals, sitting at 7-4, needed a win to stay in the thick of the AFC North race, while the Ravens, at 8-3, were aiming to extend their lead in the division and solidify a top playoff seed. Early on, it seemed Baltimore would take control: Lamar Jackson connected with Mark Andrews for a 12-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, and Derrick Henry added a 3-yard rushing score to give the Ravens a 14-7 lead at the end of the first half. But the Bengals, led by quarterback Joe Burrow, refused to back down. Burrow, playing with a taped thumb after a minor injury the week before, kept Cincinnati in the game with precise short passes, including a 7-yard touchdown to Ja’Marr Chase just before halftime to cut the deficit to 14-13. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered highlights that this back-and-forth start set the tone for a game that would go down to the wire, perfectly capturing the drama of Thanksgiving football.

The third quarter marked a turning point, as the Bengals’ defense stepped up to shut down the Ravens’ high-powered offense and spark a momentum shift. After a Ravens three-and-out to start the half, Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt intercepted Jackson’s pass intended for Zay Flowers, returning it 22 yards to the Baltimore 15-yard line. Two plays later, Burrow hit tight end Hayden Hurst for a 5-yard touchdown, giving Cincinnati its first lead of the game at 20-14. The Bengals’ defense wasn’t done: on the Ravens’ next drive, defensive end Trey Hendrickson sacked Jackson for a 10-yard loss, forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle D.J. Reader. This turnover led to a 38-yard field goal by Evan McPherson, extending the Bengals’ lead to 23-14. “Our defense knew we had to make a statement,” Hendrickson said after the game. “Thanksgiving games are about legacy, and we wanted to leave our mark.” The Ravens, meanwhile, looked disjointed: Henry was held to just 28 rushing yards in the second half, and Jackson was pressured into three straight incompletions on a critical fourth-quarter drive. Film later showed that the Bengals’ defensive line had exploited a weakness in the Ravens’ offensive line, targeting the right tackle position with blitzes that Jackson couldn’t escape. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered underscores that this defensive dominance wasn’t just luck—it was a well-executed game plan that turned the tide in Cincinnati’s favor.

For the Baltimore Ravens, the fourth quarter was a mix of desperation and near-misses, as they fought to reclaim the lead but fell short due to costly mistakes. Trailing 26-17 with 7:30 left in the game, Jackson led a 75-yard drive that culminated in a 1-yard rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 26-24. The Ravens then forced a Bengals three-and-out, giving them a chance to take the lead with 3:15 remaining. But on third-and-5 from the Cincinnati 30-yard line, Jackson’s pass to Andrews was tipped by Taylor-Britt and intercepted by safety Nick Scott, who returned it 45 yards to the Baltimore 20-yard line. Two plays later, Bengals running back Joe Mixon scored a 1-yard touchdown to seal the victory at 31-24. “That interception was the killer,” Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said in his post-game press conference. “We had momentum, we had a chance to win, but we made a mistake when it mattered most.” The Baltimore Ravens’ loss was made more painful by the fact that it derailed their division lead—they dropped to second place in the AFC North, a position they would struggle to regain for the rest of the season. Players later acknowledged that the Thanksgiving defeat was a “wake-up call,” but it also exposed flaws in their late-game execution that would haunt them in subsequent weeks. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered shows that for the Baltimore Ravens, this game was more than a holiday loss—it was a critical moment that altered the trajectory of their season.

The victory held deep significance for the Bengals, not just in terms of the standings but also in terms of team morale and their rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens. For years, the Ravens had dominated the AFC North matchups, winning eight of the previous 10 games heading into Thanksgiving. This victory marked a shift, proving that the Bengals could beat Baltimore in a high-pressure, nationally televised game. After the final whistle, Burrow led his teammates in a post-game celebration on the field, holding up a turkey leg prop that had been given to him by a fan and yelling, “Happy Thanksgiving, Cincinnati!” The win also energized the Bengals’ fan base, with thousands of fans staying in the stadium for an hour after the game to chant and celebrate. “This win is for the city,” Chase said. “We know how much beating the Ravens means to our fans, especially on Thanksgiving.” For the Baltimore Ravens, the loss highlighted the need to fix their late-game defense and red-zone inefficiency—issues that would continue to plague them throughout the season. It also added fuel to the rivalry, with players on both teams acknowledging that future matchups would be even more intense as a result of this Thanksgiving showdown. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered underscores that this game wasn’t just about one team winning and the other losing—it was about a rivalry reaching new heights, driven by the passion of Thanksgiving football.

Years later, the Bengals’ Thanksgiving triumph over the Baltimore Ravens remains a beloved memory for Cincinnati fans and a cautionary tale for Baltimore. It’s referenced in highlight reels of great Thanksgiving NFL games, with Taylor-Britt’s interception and Scott’s game-sealing pick often cited as two of the most iconic plays of the 2024 season. For the Bengals, the win served as a catalyst for a late-season push that ultimately led them to the AFC North title and a playoff berth. For the Baltimore Ravens, it was a reminder of how quickly momentum can shift in the NFL and how costly mistakes can derail even the most promising seasons. Players on both teams still talk about the game: Burrow has mentioned it in interviews as one of his favorite career moments, while Jackson has noted that it taught him the importance of staying patient in high-pressure situations. Beyond the stats and the standings, this game captured the essence of Thanksgiving football—family, tradition, and the thrill of competition. Bengals' Thanksgiving Triumph Over the Baltimore Ravens Remembered concludes that while Thanksgiving games come and go each year, some stand out for their drama, their impact, and the way they bring fans together. This 2024 matchup between the Bengals and Ravens is one of those games—a timeless classic that will be remembered for generations to come.