Joe Burrow blasts NFL for unfair Ravens rematch in Baltimore on Thanksgiving

Joe Burrow isn’t holding back about the NFL’s 2025 schedule. The Cincinnati Bengals quarterback is voicing frustration over having to face the Ravens in Baltimore for the fourth straight year — this time on Thanksgiving night — and his criticism has struck a chord with both fans and league officials.

Joe Burrow calls out NFL over Ravens schedule as Bengals head to Baltimore for fourth straight year

For the fourth consecutive year, Joe Burrow and the Bengals will travel to Baltimore to face off against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens — this time on Thanksgiving night in prime time. While the spotlight of a standalone holiday game might excite fans, Burrow is less than thrilled with the repeated road trip.“Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight prime-time year isn't ideal,” Burrow, 28, said during a recent interview, as reported by ESPN.

“Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please.”

Burrow’s comments resonated beyond the locker room. Mike North, the NFL’s vice president of broadcast planning and scheduling, addressed the quarterback’s concerns directly, acknowledging the validity of the complaint.“It’s fair,” North said in an interview with the Bengals' team website. “Once you start getting to the same thing three years in a row, four, or five years in a row — whether it’s a short week Thursday on the road or opening on the road — when trends like that emerge, we probably have to adjust at some point.”

Despite the scheduling gripe, North emphasized that the Thanksgiving night matchup was the result of what the league believed was the best overall schedule. He even joked about the reaction from fans, saying, “I’m sure the Bengals fans are a little surprised and probably a little disappointed. Which puts them in the same category as all 31 other teams.”Cincinnati hasn’t had much success recently against Baltimore, losing their last three matchups — including a heartbreaking 35–34 loss last season.

Still, the chance to play under the national spotlight carries its own kind of weight.

“Playing on Thanksgiving night in a stand-alone game with the whole world watching, sitting on their couch, is really exciting,” Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told NFL.com. “It’s why you’re in this business.”North, despite acknowledging the flaw, couldn’t resist adding a playful note: “I’m sure Bengals fans would have preferred it in Cincinnati, but it should be fun for you guys to ruin Baltimore’s Thanksgiving.”Also Read: Was Jason Kelce the real reason the Tush Push survived? Inside his bold move to save the Eagles’ signature playWhether or not the Bengals can deliver that upset remains to be seen — but Joe Burrow has already made sure the league knows he’s ready for a little more home cooking next time.