The Stone Shields Show: Cincinnati Bengals, Reds, Bearcats Daily Sports Talk

Crosstown Shootout Preview With Paul Fritschner + Reaction To Latest College Football Playoff Rankings

On today's show, Paul Fritschner joins Stone to preview Friday's Crosstown Shootout as well as hit on other college basketball topics including Duke's 1 point win last night over Florida. Also, we react to the latest College Football Playoff rankings - who is getting snubbed?
In the frosty confines of Highmark Stadium, the Cincinnati Bengals square off against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in a pivotal AFC clash that pits two of the league's premier quarterbacks against each other: Joe Burrow and Josh Allen. As Week 14 unfolds, both teams jockey for playoff positioning, with the Bills clinging to a wild-card spot and the Bengals desperate to climb the standings after a rollercoaster start to the season.
Joe Burrow, the Bengals' unflappable gunslinger, enters this matchup on a high note. Fresh off a triumphant return from a nagging wrist tweak earlier this year, Burrow has been surgical, posting 19.24 fantasy points in his last outing and ranking as the QB4 overall. His 2025 stats scream efficiency: over 4,000 passing yards, 30-plus touchdowns, and a completion percentage north of 68%. Armed with Ja'Marr Chase's explosive routes and Tee Higgins' red-zone prowess, Burrow thrives in shootouts. But Buffalo's secondary, led by Christian Benford and a resurgent Taron Johnson, will test him—expect Burrow to lean on quick slants and play-action to counter the Bills' blitz-heavy scheme under Sean McDermott.
On the flip side, Josh Allen embodies chaos in the best way possible. The MVP frontrunner boasts a league-leading five double-digit rushing touchdowns, blending arm talent with bulldozer mobility. Averaging 25.8 points per game in fantasy terms, Allen's dual-threat nightmare—coupled with James Cook's shifty runs and Khalil Shakir's emergence—makes Buffalo's offense a juggernaut. Yet, Cincinnati's front seven, anchored by Trey Hendrickson and a healthy Sam Hubbard, poses a real threat to Allen's pocket presence. If the Bills' O-line holds, Allen could exploit the Bengals' middling pass defense for chunk plays.
Head-to-head history favors Burrow slightly, with a 2-1 edge in regular-season tilts, but Allen's home-field advantage and Buffalo's 6-1 December record tilt the scales. This isn't just a quarterback duel; it's a symphony of stars—Burrow's precision versus Allen's power—where the winner could vault their squad toward January glory. Prediction: Bills edge it 31-27, but don't bet against Burrow's magic. Football at its finest.
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Bengals Talk With Wayne Box Miller, Trey Hendrickson Injury News, NFL Power Rankings, Lane Kiffin Thoughts, UC Wins Ugly

On today's show Wayne Box Miller of the Bengals Radio Network join the show to discuss Trey Hendrickson's injury, Joe Burrow's return and more. Also, we have our latest NFL Power Rankings, more thoughts on Lane Kiffin leaving for LSU and discuss UC's win over Tarleton State.
The Cincinnati Bengals' defense faces yet another blow as star defensive end Trey Hendrickson is poised to miss his fifth consecutive game this Sunday in Buffalo against the Bills. Head coach Zac Taylor confirmed Monday that Hendrickson remains "doubtful" due to a nagging hip/pelvis injury—officially listed as a core muscle issue—that has sidelined him since exiting early in Week 8 against the New York Jets on October 26. Now 37 days removed from his last snap, Hendrickson's prolonged rehab has raised eyebrows, with no clear timeline for return despite the team's playoff aspirations. 
This isn't just a minor setback for a player who entered 2025 with an NFL-best 35 sacks over the prior two seasons. Hendrickson, a three-time Pro Bowler, has already tallied four sacks, eight QB hits, and a forced fumble in just seven games this year. His absence has forced the Bengals to lean on rookies like Myles Murphy and Joseph Ossai, who have shown flashes—Myrphy's recent breakout sacks offer a silver lining—but lack Hendrickson's disruptive prowess. Without him, Cincinnati's pass rush ranks a middling 18th league-wide, allowing opponents to protect quarterbacks like Josh Allen with relative comfort. In a pivotal AFC North clash—the Bengals sit at 4-8 but alive for a wild-card spot after snapping a skid against Baltimore—Hendrickson's void could prove costly against Buffalo's high-powered offense.
Taylor's "week-to-week" management, avoiding injured reserve, signals optimism for a late-season surge, but reports hint at potential offseason surgery for the sports hernia. Hendrickson's offseason holdout, resolved with a $14 million raise, adds irony: the 30-year-old is now fully invested, yet his body betrays him. Fans and analysts alike fret over his 2026 impact, but for now, the focus is survival. If Cincinnati upsets the Bills without him, it might buy time for a heroic return; otherwise, playoff dreams—and Hendrickson's season—could fade into irrelevance. The Bengals' roar hinges on depth, but Hendrickson's silence echoes loudest.
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MAC Championship Preview With Chuck Martin, Bengals Get More Good News After Thanksgiving Win, Lane Kiffin Leaves For LSU, Buckeyes Reclaim Rivalry

On today's show Miami head coach Chuck Martin stops by to preview Saturday's MAC Championship game vs. Western Michigan, Bengals get more good news after Thursday night's win, Lane Kiffin leaves for LSU + OSU reclaims rivalary vs. Michigan.
In a season defined by adversity, the Cincinnati Bengals refuse to fade from the AFC North fray. At 4-8, they trail the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers—both 6-6—by just two games, with four contests remaining. This chaotic division, the NFL's only one without a winning record, offers a rare lifeline for a team that started 3-8 without star quarterback Joe Burrow.
Burrow's Thanksgiving return was nothing short of miraculous. Eleven weeks after surgery for a severe turf toe injury, he orchestrated a 32-14 demolition of the Ravens in Baltimore, tossing 261 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-46 passing. Cincinnati's defense, maligned all year as the league's worst (32nd in points allowed), erupted for five turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble return touchdown. Kicker Evan McPherson went 6-for-6 on field goals, including a franchise-record 63-yarder. This wasn't just a win; it was a statement—the Bengals' first Thanksgiving victory ever and their first in Baltimore since 2021. Crucially, it ensures no divisional sweep, a feat not achieved since 2015.
The math is unforgiving: Cincinnati must go 5-0 to finish 9-8 and snag the North crown. Their schedule softens late, with winnable matchups against the Browns (twice) and a reeling Titans squad. But first, hurdles loom—a road tilt at Buffalo (+6.5 underdogs) and a rematch in Baltimore. Wild-card hopes are slimmer (2.2% per SportsLine), demanding chaos above them: Steelers and Ravens splitting their head-to-heads while teams like the Dolphins and Chiefs stumble.
Burrow's poise ignites optimism. "Every game is a must-win," he declared postgame. With Ja'Marr Chase hauling in 112 yards, the offense hummed. If the defense sustains its spark and Burrow shakes rust, this Bengals squad could echo last year's 5-0 finish that fell agonizingly short of playoffs. In a wide-open AFC (Bengals 12th), they're alive. Who Dey Nation dares to dream of a division upset and postseason resurrection. The jungle roars on.
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HUGE Bengals Upset Win vs. Ravens, Joe Burrow Shines In Return, Ohio State vs. Michigan Preview, Iron Bowl, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's show Stone reacts to a 32-14 Bengals win over Baltimore in a night where Joe Burrow returned and the Bengals defense took another step in the right direction. Also we preview The Game and the Iron Bowl and roll through our Best Bets Of The Weekend.
On a frosty Thanksgiving night at M&T Bank Stadium, Joe Burrow's long-awaited return from a surgically repaired turf toe injury lit the fuse for the Cincinnati Bengals' emphatic 32-14 demolition of the Baltimore Ravens. Absent since Week 2's win over Jacksonville, where the injury sidelined him for nine grueling games, Burrow silenced doubters with a poised 261-yard, two-touchdown performance—his first meaningful snaps in 11 weeks. Sporting a metal plate in his cleat for stability, the Bengals' franchise cornerstone moved fluidly, evading pressure and slinging dimes as if the layoff never happened. Cincinnati, mired at 3-8, snapped a four-game skid to climb to 4-8, suddenly just two games back in the AFC North with a wild-card whisper growing louder.
Burrow's magic ignited in the second half. Trailing 7-6 early, he orchestrated a third-quarter masterpiece: a 43-yard bomb to Ja'Marr Chase on a go route rekindled their lethal chemistry, setting up position inside the 30. Then, on third-and-9 in the red zone, Burrow rolled left under duress, firing a pinpoint strike to backup tight end Tanner Hudson for a one-handed touchdown grab over safety Kyle Hamilton. Chase tallied 102 yards on seven catches, but it was Andrei Iosivas stepping up sans concussed Tee Higgins, hauling in a 23-yard dagger on third-and-long to bury Baltimore late. Burrow went 22-of-32, his mobility—eight rushing yards on three carries—extending plays and quieting pregame jitters about rust or recurrence.
Yet Burrow's solo act couldn't eclipse the Bengals' defensive epiphany. Dead last in points allowed (32.7 per game) and takeaways (10 total), they morphed into turnover thieves, forcing five from a Ravens offense that entered on a five-game heater. Lamar Jackson, hobbled by lower-body woes, tossed two picks—including a deflected floater snared by linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. in the red zone—and lost two fumbles. Safety Jordan Battle's goal-line strip of Isaiah Likely for a touchback flipped momentum, while edge rushers Joseph Ossai and Cedric Johnson swarmed for a strip-sack. Corner DJ Turner sealed it with a fumble recovery.
Kicker Evan McPherson chipped in 12 points on four field goals, including a 24-yarder for the halftime edge. For Baltimore (6-6), now trailing Pittsburgh by a half-game, Derrick Henry's 28-yard TD burst and rookie Keaton Mitchell's 18-yard scamper offered fleeting hope amid the slop—five giveaways total. Harbaugh's squad, once division darlings, faces soul-searching: Jackson's accuracy faltered (not top-15 elite, per critics), and the O-line crumbled. Burrow, ever the cool cat, postgame quipped about his plate: "It worked." In the AFC North meat grinder, his revival could spark a 9-8 miracle run—who dey think will stop him now?
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Joe Burrow & Ja'Marr Chase Press Conference Reaction With Mike Petraglia, Bengals vs. Ravens Preview, Sonny Gray Trade, Best Thanksgiving NFL Slate Ever?

On today's show, Mike Petraglia of CLNS Media joins Stone to react to Joe Burrow & Ja'Marr Chase's press conference and talk Bengals vs. Ravens, we discuss the other two NFL games as well, new College Football Playoff rankings, Sonny Gray trade and more.
Under the bright lights of M&T Bank Stadium on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 8:20 p.m. ET (NBC/Peacock), the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) face the Baltimore Ravens (6-5) in a pivotal AFC North clash. For the Bengals, reeling from four losses in five games—including a 26-20 defeat to New England—star quarterback Joe Burrow's return from a Grade 3 turf toe injury (sidelining him since Week 2) injects hope. Burrow, the 2024 Comeback Player of the Year who led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards last season, resumes practice this week, poised to reconnect with Ja'Marr Chase (79 catches, 861 yards, 5 TDs). Backup Joe Flacco managed 1,636 yards and 13 TDs in Burrow's absence, but Cincinnati's offense averaged just 20.3 points per game without its franchise QB. The run game, led by Chase Brown's 107 yards last outing, must exploit Baltimore's middling defense, which ranks 23rd in plays faced.
Conversely, the Ravens ride a five-game win streak, tying for first in the division after a gritty 23-10 victory over the Jets. Lamar Jackson, nursing a lingering toe injury amid 23 sacks this season, threw for 153 yards in that win, but his mobility—key to Baltimore's 138 rushing yards per game—remains a question. Derrick Henry powers the ground attack with 871 yards and 9 TDs in his last six, targeting Cincinnati's league-worst run defense (5.2 yards per carry allowed). Defensively, Roquan Smith (79 tackles) and Kyle Hamilton (69 tackles, limited by ankle/shoulder issues) anchor a unit with 13 turnovers, though they've surrendered 261 points. Recent Ravens wins feel fragile against middling foes.
Odds favor Baltimore heavily: Ravens -7 spread, -355 moneyline, 52 total (DraftKings). Yet, history screams caution—last year's meetings were shootouts (41-38 OT, 35-34 Ravens wins), with games averaging 74 points. Burrow's return could spark a Bengals upset, pulling Cincy within two games of first if Pittsburgh stumbles. Expect fireworks: Henry's pounding runs versus Burrow's deep shots to Chase. In this heated rivalry, where Baltimore's 4-1 ATS edge meets Cincinnati's desperation, the over 52 cashes in a 31-27 Ravens squeaker. Thanksgiving turkey never tasted so tense.
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Joe Burrow Expected To Play Thursday, Ja'Marr Chase Apology, MNF Reaction, NFL Power Rankings, Feast Week, MLB Trade

On today's show we discussed Joe Burrow being expected to play on Thursday, Ja'Marr Chase's apology, Panthers vs. 49ers reaction, NFL Power Rankings, Feast Week and more!
Joe Burrow's anticipated return to the Cincinnati Bengals' lineup on Thanksgiving night against the Baltimore Ravens has ignited hope for a beleaguered franchise mired in a 3-8 slump. Head coach Zac Taylor announced Monday that he "anticipates" the star quarterback suiting up for the primetime clash at M&T Bank Stadium, marking Burrow's first action since Week 2. This comes after Burrow sat out Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, where veteran Joe Flacco started in his stead, despite the signal-caller's full practice participation all week
The 28-year-old's absence stemmed from a turf toe injury on his left foot, sustained in a September sack against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Requiring surgery for torn ligaments, the ailment sidelined him far longer than the initial two starts where he dazzled, completing 58.3% of passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Burrow's 2024 MVP-caliber campaign—league-leading 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns—looms large, earning him a second Comeback Player of the Year nod. Yet, at just 65 days post-surgery, his premature comeback raises eyebrows. Taylor emphasized protecting Burrow from overexertion, especially with the short week and contact unknowns. 
Bengals fans, starved for Burrow magic, are buzzing on X, with posts hailing his Instagram declaration: "I'm back." Fantasy managers debate starting him amid a +7.5 spread, while skeptics question the wisdom against a 6-5 Ravens squad co-leading the AFC North. Cincinnati's defense, dead last in scoring (32.7 points allowed per game), desperately needs Burrow's arm to spark Ja'Marr Chase, though Tee Higgins' concussion and Trey Hendrickson's hip issue leave the offense thin. 
A Burrow torching of Baltimore's secondary—echoing his 2024 heroics of 428 yards and four scores there—could salvage Cincinnati's faint playoff pulse, three games back in the division with six to play. But rushing him risks long-term peril for a quarterback who's battled injuries since his 2020 debut. As Taylor navigates this high-stakes tightrope, Burrow's poise under pressure will be Thanksgiving's feast for Who Dey Nation—provided he emerges unscathed.
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Bengals Drop 4th Straight Despite Defensive Improvement, Bearcats Squander Opportunities vs. Louisville + Embarrassed Against BYU

On today's show we react to another Bengals loss despite defensive improvement and discuss the three other defeats that took place in the city of Cincinnati over the weekend.
In a game that felt like déjà vu for Bengals fans, Cincinnati fell 26-20 to a surging New England Patriots squad on November 23 at Paycor Stadium, dropping to a dismal 3-8 on the season. It marked their eighth loss in nine outings—a brutal skid that began when star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2, sidelining him indefinitely and plunging the team into chaos.
Veteran Joe Flacco stepped in for Burrow, showing flashes of the savvy that once made him an NFL darling. He orchestrated a gritty comeback in the fourth quarter, connecting with rookie wideout Mitch Tinsley for a 17-yard touchdown that sliced New England's lead to 23-20 with 4:40 remaining. Flacco finished 22-of-35 for 248 yards, but it wasn't enough against a Patriots defense that bent but never broke. Cincinnati's offense, starved for touchdowns until late, managed just one score on the ground, courtesy of Chase Brown's 12-yard scamper earlier.
The Bengals' special teams provided a rare spark: kicker Evan McPherson etched his name in franchise lore with a franchise-record 63-yard field goal at halftime, pulling Cincy within 17-13. But defensive lapses proved fatal. Cornerback Dax Hill was torched for two massive pass interference penalties on the same Patriots drive, gifting New England prime field position. They couldn't capitalize at the goal line, but the damage was done.
New England's Drake Maye endured a nightmare start—a pick-six to safety Geno Stone handed Cincinnati a 10-0 lead—but rebounded with poise, throwing for 212 yards and a score to tight end Hunter Henry. Kicker Andy Borregales stole the show, nailing four field goals, including a dagger 52-yarder with 1:51 left that forced the Bengals into a desperate hail-mary drive. Cornerback Marcus Jones' 33-yard pick-six return earlier had flipped momentum.
Injuries compounded the misery: Wideout Tee Higgins was carted off with a concussion in the fourth, and running back Tahj Brooks exited with his own head knock. The defense, already one of the league's worst, allowed 347 total yards and couldn't stop the bleeding from tight ends exploiting their coverage woes.
For a franchise perennially teased by Super Bowl dreams, this loss stings deepest. The Bengals host no miracles at home (2-4 at Paycor), and with a Thursday night tilt at Baltimore looming, whispers of a lost season grow louder. Burrow's return offers hope, but until then, it's rinse and repeat: talent squandered, potential unfulfilled. Bengals Nation deserves better—will they deliver?
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Bengals vs. Patriots With Craig Sandlin, Zac Taylor Yet To Name Starting QB, College Football Weekend Preview, Best Bets Of The Weekend

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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Joe Burrow Playing Sunday vs. Patriots? Cincinnati Bearcats Basketball With Scott Springer, Shedeur Sanders To Start For Browns

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. 
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Bengals Player Evaluation With Joe Goodberry, Kentucky Routed By Michigan State, CFB Top 10, Lions In Serious Trouble?

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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