On today's show Craig Sandlin stops by to talk Bengals vs. Patriots, Zac Taylor has yet to name a starting QB, College Football Weekend Preview ft. USC vs. Oregon and BYU vs. Cincinnati + Best Bets Of The Weekend

As the Cincinnati Bengals limp into Week 12 with a 3-7 record and a three-game skid, all eyes are on quarterback Joe Burrow's toe. Sidelined since Week 2's Grade 3 turf toe injury against the Jaguars—requiring September surgery—the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year has missed eight starts. Acquired veteran Joe Flacco has stabilized the offense (12 TDs, three INTs), but Cincinnati's 34-12 drubbing by the Steelers exposed vulnerabilities, especially sans suspended star Ja'Marr Chase.

Burrow's 21-day practice window opened November 10, initially targeting a mid-December return. Yet, he's ahead of schedule. Wednesday marked his first full participation since the injury, including 11-on-11 drills. He repeated the feat Thursday, taking first-team snaps. Head coach Zac Taylor, on 700 WLW radio, dodged commitment: "I wish I had a decision today. I’m going to take in all the information." Friday's final injury report and Taylor's presser will clarify, but optimism brews—Burrow expressed eagerness for Thanksgiving's Ravens clash, yet insiders like James Rapien argue suiting up Sunday builds rhythm without rust.

A return electrifies Bengals fans. Burrow's pre-injury efficiency (58.3% completion, two TDs in two games) could exploit New England's secondary, ranked 15th in pass defense. Facing 9-2 Pats sensation Drake Maye (AFC East leaders on an eight-game heater), Cincinnati needs Burrow's magic—last year, he led the NFL with 4,918 yards, 43 TDs. Playoff odds sit at +2000; a win vaults them to 4-7, holding the wild-card tiebreaker over Jacksonville.

Risks loom: Re-injury could derail 2026, but Taylor prioritizes Burrow's mindset: "He's of the mindset that he wants to play." Teammates like Tee Higgins buzz: "He's practicing like Week 1." If cleared, expect a cautious debut—maybe 50-60% snaps—sparking Who Dey hope against a dynasty-reviving Pats squad. Sunday's 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Paycor Stadium could redefine Cincinnati's fading season.

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On today's show we discuss the possibility of Joe Burrow playing Sunday for the Bengals after he was a full participant in practice, Scott Springer of The Enquirer stops by to talk Bearcats basketball, 2 upsets in college basketball last night + Shedeur Sanders to get his first NFL start Sunday vs. Raiders

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year, has been sidelined since Week 2 of the 2025 season after undergoing surgery for a severe turf toe injury sustained in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old's absence has mirrored the team's struggles, with Cincinnati plummeting to a 3-7 record, including a dismal 1-7 stretch without him. Veteran Joe Flacco, acquired midseason from Cleveland, has stabilized the offense somewhat but couldn't prevent three straight losses, leaving the Bengals three games out in the AFC North and clinging to +2000 playoff odds.

Enter Week 12: a pivotal home matchup against the surging 9-2 New England Patriots, led by MVP frontrunner Drake Maye. Burrow's 21-day practice window opened on November 10, and Wednesday's injury report delivered a bombshell—he was a full participant for the first time since surgery, logging reps in 11-on-11 drills. This upgrade, per ESPN's Adam Schefter, sparked immediate speculation, shifting betting lines from Patriots -8.5 to -7.5 favorites.

Coach Zac Taylor remains coy, stating Thursday on 700WLW, "We don't know yet," when pressed on Burrow starting Sunday. The original target was Thanksgiving against Baltimore, a game Burrow called "very" meaningful in a rare interview. Yet, Flacco's lingering shoulder issue—limiting him Wednesday—has complicated matters, opening the door for an earlier push. NFL insider Albert Breer noted the "psycho competitor" in Burrow might accelerate his timeline, though the team hasn't committed.

A return would be seismic. Burrow's precision passing (career 68% completion) could ignite an offense reeling without suspended star Ja'Marr Chase, who's out for the game after a failed appeal. Last year's late surge from 4-8 to contention offers hope for a playoff miracle, but rushing risks reinjury in a season already marred by defensive woes. With activation deadline looming December 1, Sunday at Paycor Stadium could mark Burrow's triumphant reboot—or a cautious delay.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Holy (Trap).

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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On today's show, Stone is joined by Joe Goodberry who helps us understand what the film says about some of the Bengals' issues. Plus we discuss an exciting pair of college basketball games last night with two more good ones tonight, Stone provides his CFB Top 10 and reacts to the latest College Football Playoff Rankings + Are the Detroit Lions in serious trouble?

In the Bengals' 34-12 loss to the Steelers on November 16, 2025, defensive end Myles Murphy delivered his most commanding performance yet, a beacon of progress amid a deflating defeat. The 2023 first-round pick entered the game under scrutiny, with just 4.5 sacks through 10 outings and the Bengals' pass rush depleted by injuries to Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart. Facing a revamped Pittsburgh line featuring ex-first-rounders Broderick Jones and Troy Fautanu, Murphy stepped up as the de facto leader of Cincy's edge rotation.

Murphy's stat line screamed dominance: a career-high seven tackles, five in the first half alone, anchoring the run defense with five stops that limited Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell's explosiveness. He led the team with six quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Focus, constantly disrupting Aaron Rodgers (and later Mason Rudolph) in the pocket. His crowning moment came midway through the second quarter: teaming with B.J. Hill for an 11-yard sack on Rodgers, a thunderous strip-sack that forced a punt and ignited Who Dey cheers in Acrisure Stadium. Murphy's bull rushes overwhelmed Fautanu, ending the rookie's recent hype, while his pursuit angles—chasing down Warren for a 3-yard stuff—showcased improved instincts and effort.

This wasn't mere volume; it was refined technique. Murphy switched sides seamlessly, exploiting mismatches with violent hand usage and a low pad level honed during the bye week. Despite a roughing-the-passer flag that gifted Pittsburgh a first down and a neutral zone infraction, his motor never waned, even as the defense surrendered a pick-six and fumble return for scores in the second half. Teammates like Joseph Ossai and Cedric Johnson fed off his energy, hinting at a budding rotation.

For a Bengals D ranked 28th in sacks, Murphy's breakout signals hope. At 22, he's evolving from raw athlete to disruptive force, pressuring coaches to eye his fifth-year option. In a season of 3-7 despair, this was Murphy's "put it all together" game—raw power meets football IQ. If sustained, it could salvage Cincinnati's pass rush and playoff dreams.

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Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/ Track Name Exercise (Rock).

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