By Matthew CoudenShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberWith Joe Burrow returning for the Cincinnati Bengals on Thanksgiving, there may be a glimpse of hope left that the team can salvage its season. While veteran Joe Flacco filled in as best he could, he's at a different stage of his career, while Burrow is typically considered one of the best quarterbacks right now, when healthy.
The Thanksgiving NFL games feature Burrow and the Bengals challenging Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. Several weeks ago, most would've believed that without Burrow, the Ravens might have been heavily favored to win this game.
However, a lot has changed in the past several days, including the big announcement that Cincinnati's star quarterback will be back on the field. Burrow had been out since Week 2 after suffering a toe injury, but through vigorous rehabilitation, he worked his way back to health and is able to play on Thursday.
Read more: 49ers’ George Kittle Sends Strong Message to Former NFL Player After Win
...Does that give the Bengals a chance to win enough games to make a difference in their season? During "Unsportsmanlike with Cohen, Canty, and Michelle," Super Bowl champion Chris Canty offered his thoughts on what is possible for Cincinnati with Burrow at quarterback after his co-host, Evan Cohen, suggested the Bengals should've shut him down.
“I think they have a chance to win the AFC North,” Canty said, adding, “I think it is absolutely on the board. They split with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They got two games remaining with the Baltimore Ravens, and the Ravens are only three games up in the win column.”
Canty, a Super Bowl winner with the New York Giants in 2012, contended that there's a chance the Bengals could "get hot and run the table," since this season, a 9-8 record could win the division. Currently, the Ravens are 6-5, and so are the Steelers. The Bengals and Cleveland Browns are each 3-8.
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"I actually like the fact that Joe Burrow was ahead of schedule and that he got back for this game," Canty said, also adding, "It is entirely possible that this team, with Joe Burrow as their quarterback, can find a way to win this game against the Baltimore Ravens, and after that, we'll see where things go."
The former defensive end suggested that if Cincinnati could get through its next three games with a 3-0 record, it would open the door to a strong possibility of still winning the division and making the playoffs. Ironically, the team finished at 9-8 last season but didn't win their division. Instead, the 12-5 Ravens took the AFC North, with the 10-7 Steelers in second place.
Obviously, the key concern for the Bengals amid Burrow's return to play this week is him getting further injured, but he and the team felt confident enough to let him play again.
As of this writing, the Ravens are favored to win the Thanksgiving NFL game by a touchdown at home. However, it seems entirely possible that there could be some holiday magic with Joe Burrow’s return to the field.
Read more: Analyst Shares Major Issue Browns Face With Shedeur Sanders
For more about the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL, visit Newsweek Sports.
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