CINCINNATI — The only thing it looks like Joe Burrow has to play for when he returns for the Bengals this week is trying to avoid a losing record.

And even that will be a tall task.

With Sunday's 26-20 loss to New England, the Bengals (3-8) have dropped eight of nine since Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in a Sept. 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. They are three games behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North and would likely need to win out and finish 9-8 to have a chance of returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

Cincinnati faces Baltimore twice in three games, beginning Thursday night. In between the matchups with the Ravens is a game at Buffalo on Dec. 7.

Coach Zac Taylor on Monday said he anticipates that Burrow will play this week, but he was not re

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