One of the most intriguing questions around the NFL’s schedule release earlier this month was answered when it was announced the Cincinnati Bengals would play the Baltimore Ravens on the road in the early afternoon window in Week 7.
After four seasons of traveling to M&T Bank Stadium to face Baltimore in primetime, the Bengals now get to host the Ravens under the lights at Paycor Stadium in a marquee New Year’s Eve battle.
It will mark the first time the Bengals will host the Ravens in primetime during the regular season since 2018. The Bengals went 1-3 in Baltimore over the last four seasons, with several memorable moments from a pair of close losses (2022, 2024), Burrow’s season-ending wrist injury (2023) and a surprising, defensive-led 32-14 win last year on Thanksgiving.
That nationally televised showdown could once again have major AFC North implications. Beyond the usual stakes that come with a divisional rivalry, the game will also mark defensive end Trey Hendrickson’s return to Cincinnati after signing with the Ravens in free agency this offseason.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow smiled on Wednesday, May 20, when asked about his former teammate trying to sack him twice a year.
“That’ll definitely be fun,” Burrow said.
Hendrickson’s five-season run in Cincinnati included four Pro Bowl selections, a first-team All-Pro nod, contract disputes, trade requests and a training camp holdout before he hit the open market in March.
Burrow was not caught off guard when Hendrickson ultimately signed with the Ravens.
“Not very surprising,” he said. “I know Trey. I love Trey. I just know how he operates.”
Burrow has been at the center of the AFC North rivalry with Baltimore since entering the league in 2020, when Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was coming off his first MVP season.
“Any time we play the Ravens, that one is circled,” Burrow said. “That goes back years when Lamar and I were a lot younger. That’s always a battle when we get after it.”
Burrow-Patrick Mahomes to meet for first time since 2024
The Bengals-Kansas City Chiefs matchup is not in primetime, but the Week 14 tilt at Paycor Stadium is America’s Game of the Week on Fox Sports.
Burrow and Mahomes each had injury-shortened seasons in 2025. Burrow played in eight games and Mahomes appeared in 14 before a season-ending torn ACL in December.
The Dec. 13 matchup will be just the second time (2024) Burrow and Mahomes will square off since the 2022 AFC Championship game. Burrow is 3-2 vs. Mahomes overall, with every matchup decided by three points or less.
“We’re gonna have a really good team, obviously. He’ll have a really good team,” Burrow said. “Hopefully, that’ll be one that’s leading up to the playoffs.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Joe Burrow on Trey Hendrickson joining Ravens: ‘Not very surprising.’
Reporting by Shelby Dermer, Cincinnati Enquirer / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
