The Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 schedule is here, which gives us an official road map to the regular season.
So, naturally, that means it's time to make some way-too-early predictions regarding the entire 17-game schedule.
Let's get right to it and have some fun predicting how the Bengals manage their 2024 schedule.
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Week 1 vs. New England Patriots
Bengals lose 20-22: Drake Maye, a rookie quarterback, is playing his first game on the road against the Bengals. Some would say Maye should be scared, and on paper, he should be. But the Bengals in Week 1 rarely end up being the same machine we see in November and December. This is gonna be a game every predicts to be a win. If only it were that simple.
Bengals' record after Week 1: 0-1
Week 2 @ Kansas City Chiefs
Bengals win 23-21: The circumstances don't matter, this game will always be close. After dropping an extremely winnable game in Week 1, the pressure will be on for the Bengals to avoid a third consecutive 0-2 start. Cincinnati hasn't beaten Kansas City in nearly two years, and Joe Burrow will be back under center. These are the games this team has proven it can win.
Bengals' record after Week 2: 1-1
Week 3 vs. Washington Commanders
Bengals win 27-13: Hello bright lights. The first primetime game of the season comes against the team that gave Burrow his first major injury four years ago. The Commanders are a mess until they aren't. This is likely going to be the Ring of Honor game, and the Bengals don't lose on that night.
Bengals' record after Week 3: 2-1
Week 4 @ Carolina Panthers
Bengals win 31-20: Cincinnati is fortunate to play several bad teams from last year early in the season. Carolina might end up as a sleeper team in a weak division late in the season, but they shouldn't be much of a threat in September.
Bengals' record after Week 4: 3-1
Week 5 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Bengals win 21-16: When Burrow is fully healthy, the Bengals take of business against the Ravens at home. Attrition hit Baltimore hard after last year's run to the AFC title game. It may take some time for them to figure things out.
Bengals' record after Week 5: 4-1
Week 6 @ New York Giants
Bengals lose 17-19: This game being on Sunday Night Football , doesn't make much sense. It's not a very compelling matchup as it features two teams from different conferences. The Bengals haven't played the G-Men in East Rutherford since 2016 on Monday Night Football , which was a loss way back when. Like the Patriots' game, this reeks of a surprise.
Bengals' record after Week 6: 4-2
Week 7 @ Cleveland Browns
Bengals lose 14-24: Winning in Cleveland in a game that matters has yet to happen in the Zac Taylor era. We'll see what kind of running game the Browns have in store with Nick Chubb not expected to return by this point. That pass rush is still to be feared in a rough environment.
Bengals' record after Week 7: 4-3
Week 8 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Bengals win 31-27: I'm very excited for this one. The Eagles are an extremely talented team that can put up points against anyone, and their offensive line is second to none. The Bengals have been known to beat the best teams on their schedule, but this will be a close one.
Bengals' record after Week 8: 5-3
Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Bengals lose 24-26: Hello trap game. The Bengals will be in a similar situation as they were last year with a team they should be right ahead of a huge divisional road game. The Raiders' quarterback situation isn't great, and neither is the majority of their roster. That's what will make this loss sting.
Bengals' record after Week 9: 5-4
Week 10 @ Baltimore Ravens
Bengals lose 20-24: What's wrong with the NFL? The last time this matchup happened on a Thursday night in the middle of November, Burrow tore a ligament in his wrist. Seems cruel for them to have the Bengals relive that nightmare. Nevertheless, it's foolish to bet against the home team in an AFC North primetime game.
Bengals' record after Week 10: 5-5
Week 11 @ Los Angeles Chargers
Bengals win 38-27: Super Bowl LVI was the last time Cincinnati played in Los Angeles, and they played the other L.A. team in that game. Burrow vs. Justin Herbert is a fun quarterback duel, and the score should reflect that.
Bengals' record after Week 11: 6-5
Week 12 BYE WEEK
A late bye is certainly better than an early bye.
Bengals' record at the bye: 6-5
Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Bengals win 17-13: It's always an ugly game, but if the Bengals are going to go above .500 in the division, the Steelers are the team to sweep. December is when the Bengals turn it on, whatever it takes.
Bengals' record after Week 13: 7-5
Week 14 @ Dallas Cowboys
Bengals lose 17-28: Beating the Cowboys is never in the cards for the Bengals, for one reason or another. Dallas may not have had a great offseason, but Dak Prescott can still drop a masterclass in the regular season.
Bengals' record after Week 14: 7-6
Week 15 @ Tennessee Titans
Bengals win 23-19: Brian Callahan, Chidobe Awuzie, and Tyler Boyd will all be out for revenge, but they were on the Bengals' side when the Titans smashed them last year in Nashville. This may be a must win game for either side. The Bengals get their comeuppance and stick it to some old friends.
Bengals ' record after Week 15: 8-6
Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns
Bengals win 21-17: Splitting division rivals is a must, and the Bengals already dropped one game to the Browns. This team somehow finds ways to win under the lights in Paycor Stadium, a fact that's still relatively new around these parts.
Bengals' record after Week 16: 9-6
Week 17 vs. Denver Broncos
Bengals win 31-14: We'll know who the Broncos are by this point. Rookie quarterback Bo Nix is taking over Sean Payton's offense and there will be plenty of tape on him by then. Cincinnati has a division title in its sights.
Bengals' record after Week 17: 10-6
Week 18 @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Bengals win 17-16: This game is likely to matter, but health will also be a factor. Don't expect a high-scoring affair when two AFC North teams battle in January. Remember: Whatever it takes.
Final Record: 11-6
11 wins may or may not be enough to win the AFC North, but it should be enough for the Bengals to return to the postseason. There will undoubtedly be losses the Bengals had no business losing, but they always seem to be countered out with wins against high quality opponents.
A fast start mixed with a rough midsection will force the Bengals to finish strong like they usually do. Don't mistake their strength of schedule with a cake walk. This gauntlet will test them all the way until January.
Related: Cincinnati Bengals 2024 NFL Schedule: Primetime matchups, biggest games, streaming info, and more
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