A season of extremes: from record-breaking kicks to historic defensive collapses
In short: The 2025 Cincinnati Bengals season was a rollercoaster of statistical anomalies. While the offense produced historic individual performances and a legendary Thanksgiving upset, a struggling defense left the team with its worst record since 2020 and a franchise-worst blowout loss.
The season was defined by the health of quarterback Joe Burrow. After a promising 2–0 start, Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2, requiring surgery on September 19. In his absence, the team struggled, going 1–8 without him. The Bengals' 32–14 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night offered a highlight, as they achieved their inaugural Thanksgiving victory while attracting 28.4 million viewers, the highest audience for any NFL Thanksgiving night broadcast.
However, the team's defensive struggles were profound. The unit ranked last at 32nd in most statistical categories, contributing to a 47–42 loss to the Chicago Bears where the defense allowed 576 total yards. The season also saw the franchise's worst loss, a 38-point margin defeat. Despite personal feats—including kicker Evan McPherson's record-breaking 63-yard field goal and Ja'Marr Chase's unprecedented start of 80 catches, 7 touchdowns, and 1,000 yards during his initial five seasons—the squad's momentum continued to decline.
The roster underwent significant shifts as well. Following the injury to Burrow, the Bengals acquired veteran Joe Flacco via a trade with the Browns. Flacco's performance was notable, as he earned his first Pro Bowl selection during this season. Despite these individual successes, the Bengals finished with a 6–11 record, missing the playoffs for the third consecutive year and failing to improve upon their previous 9–8 record.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: 2025 Cincinnati Bengals season
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