Despite the Cincinnati Bengals and Cincinnati Football’s struggles throughout this season. Cincinnati area football fans will have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.

The Cincinnati Bengals have a mini bye week

The Bengals will get extra time to rest as they hobble into Thanksgiving week. After quarterback and Bengals offensive equivalent to the sun Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury. During last Thursday’s primetime loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The wrist injury is latest obstacle in an injury plagued season for Burrow. Cincinnati’s defense also suffered a stinging blow; cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt suffered a quad injury during Thursday’s game. Injury concerns lingered over the Bengals going into Thursday’s game. Sam Hubbard, Tee Higgins and Andrei Iosivas weren’t able to play due to injuries.

Cincinnati will face the Pittsburgh Steelers next Sunday. After last Thursday’s game was described by many as a must win for Cincinnati. It’s hard to see next Sunday’s game as anything other than a must win. With the Bengals stuck in last place in the AFC North. The Bengals are still in pursuit of their first divisional win. In a tight AFC North race where every team is .500 or better. With all of this in mind, quarterback Jake Browning and the Bengals collectively will need all the time they can get to prepare for Pittsburgh.

Local college rivalry games of consequence

There will be multiple college rivalry games of local importance during Thanksgiving weekend. Ohio State and Michigan Football could decide a Big Ten Championship Game berth. Kentucky’s Governor’s Cup game could carry conference title implications for the Louisville Cardinals. Louisville is contending for the chance to face Florida State in December’s ACC Championship Game. The Cardinals could clinch an ACC title game berth through beating Miami (FL) this weekend. Win or lose, Louisville will be eager to beat their cross-state rivals. While Kentucky Football will be eager to potentially spoil Louisville’s ACC title hopes.

The end of a rough Cincinnati Football season

While Louisville’s new head coach Jeff Brohm is succeeding in his first year. Brohm’s Louisville predecessor Scott Satterfield is struggling in his first year in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats are striving to avoid a last place finish to their first Big 12 season. The Bearcats will go into this weekend with a 3-7 record. Enduring through their first losing season since 2017. Cincinnati will face West Virginia this Saturday in Morgantown, WV. Then close out the regular season hosting Kansas on November 25th.

The Detroit Lions will be relevant on Thanksgiving

The Detroit Lions have been a part of America’s Thanksgiving traditions stretching back to 1934. If not for that history, the NFL likely wouldn’t have Detroit host one of their three marquee Thanksgiving games. Due to the Lions lack of playoff success over the years. Unless the Lions were playing a contender. Or a team with a robust national following. However, the Lions are playoff contenders this year. While their Thanksgiving opponent the Green Bay Packers are struggling. 

America’s Team is facing an interesting challenge

The Dallas Cowboys are the other NFL team traditionally featured on Thanksgiving. The NFL is thankful that the Cowboys are contending this year. Since the team tends to draw big TV ratings. Yet, the Cowboys have teams competing for their “America’s Team” moniker. The Cincinnati Reds embraced that title last season. Particularly while going through an exciting month-long stretch of success. Meanwhile, Michigan Football is also embracing the America’s Team moniker.

As Michigan Football faces the unfolding impact of a sign stealing scandal. Leading to head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for the rest of the regular season. One would figure that the America’s Team title should go to a team not facing a cloud of scandal. American’s likely wouldn’t want FTX and Norfolk Southern dubbing themselves “America’s Businesses.” One would also figure a team with a winning tradition merits the America’s Team title. Such as the New York Yankees of Los Angeles Lakers. Instead, the ones embracing the moniker are teams that haven’t won their sports pinnacle event in decades.

Granted, with recent success in mind FC Cincinnati has a good case to be called “America’s Team.” After all, they’re Major League Soccer’s regular season champions. With soccer being the global game, FC Cincinnati can be regarded as America’s Team by the world.