Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow expressed his dissatisfaction regarding the team's upcoming primetime matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, marking the fourth consecutive season that they have faced this AFC North rival in such a setting. Following a voluntary workout, Burrow noted, 'Playing in Baltimore for the fourth straight prime-time year isn't ideal.' He added with a light-hearted request, 'Maybe we can get one of those in Cincinnati next year. Please.'

Historically, the Bengals have struggled when competing against the Ravens in primetime. The last contest between the two teams occurred on November 16, 2023, where Cincinnati faced a setback in a 34-20 defeat, a game where Burrow sustained a season-ending wrist injury early in the match. This was not an isolated incident; on October 9, 2022, Cincinnati fell to Baltimore with a narrow score of 19-17 on Sunday Night Football, and a prior contest on November 7, 2024, ended in a heartbreaking 35-34 loss for the Bengals. The team is set to return to Baltimore once again on Thanksgiving night, November 27, 2025.

The Bengals have frequently been visitors in AFC North primetime games, where the home team has often found an advantage in recent seasons. Last year, Cincinnati secured only one primetime match at home, resulting in a close 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders on September 23. On the road, they faced four primetime challenges: a 17-7 victory over the New York Giants on October 13, a 35-34 defeat against the Ravens on November 7, a 34-27 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on November 17, and a 27-20 triumph against the Dallas Cowboys on December 9. As the year concluded, Cincinnati also participated in two standalone games, managing a 30-24 overtime victory against the Denver Broncos at home and a 19-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. This year, the Bengals again face a tough schedule, with three road primetime games, including their matchups against the Denver Broncos, the Ravens, and the Miami Dolphins on December 21, alongside one at-home game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers on October 16. Despite their scheduling challenges, the Bengals aim to advance back to playoff contention after two years of absence from the postseason.