The official 2026 schedule for the Cincinnati Bengals has been launched, and the thrill is palpable. Simply as palpable, nonetheless, is the urgency behind the group this 12 months.
After lacking the postseason for 3 straight seasons following two AFC Championship Video games (and an look in Tremendous Bowl LVI), the group made some main offseason strikes to steadiness out the roster.
It’s so apparent, however it bears repeating that the trail to the playoffs for the Bengals is thru the division. They will’t afford to go worse than 3-3 within the AFC North, with 4 or extra wins probably wanted to cement a playoff berth. The sooner-than-usual bye and tough midseason journey schedule are different components to observe in Cincinnati’s season.
Have they achieved sufficient this offseason to make a right away leap again to the league’s elite in 2026?
Week 1: Sunday, September 13—Buccaneers at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 1 PM ET
Cincinnati’s begins to seasons below Zac Taylor haven’t been the most effective since 2019, posting only a 2-5 document out of the gates. Moreover, Baker Mayfield has seen loads of success towards the Bengals, sporting a 6-2 document as a starter towards Cincinnati.
Nonetheless, this one is a house opener, and the sense is the Bengals have regained a way of objective with a giant offseason. The group is touting this one as an “Open in Orange” sport as soon as once more, and whereas Week 1 contests are all the time bizarre and sloppy, Cincinnati ought to barely deal with enterprise right here.
Buccaneers 20, Bengals 23 — Win, 1-0
Week 2: Sunday, September 20—Bengals at Texans, NRG Stadium, 1 PM ET
Cincinnati has had a not-so-great historical past towards the Texans. Be it Andy Dalton’s postseason stumbles towards Houston in 2011 and 2012, or their incapability to get a much-needed 2024 win at dwelling, the Bengals have hassle with this group.
DeMeco Ryans’ protection is downright tenacious, which is able to probably result in a irritating day for the often potent Bengals offense. Questions stay in regards to the long-term viability of C.J. Stroud, however I don’t have an ideal feeling about this one so early within the 12 months.
Bengals 21, Texans 26 — Loss, 1-1
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Week 3: Sunday, September 27—Bengals at Steelers, Acrisure Stadium, 1 PM ET
The Bengals have a highway sport for the second consecutive week, and it’s going to be very odd to not see Mike Tomlin on the Pittsburgh sideline. Aaron Rodgers returns with Michael Pittman Jr., pairing with DK Metcalf, however will he nonetheless be a dink-and-dunk passer like we noticed final 12 months?
Cincinnati feels the stress early within the season to get a must-win divisional sport and rises to the event—this time.
Bengals 30, Steelers 24 – Win, 2-1
Week 4: Sunday, October 4—Jaguars at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 1 PM ET
If Mayfield has had the Bengals’ quantity, then the identical could possibly be mentioned of Cincinnati about Trevor Lawrence. Cincinnati is 3-0 head-to-head towards the previous No. 1 general choose, and, oddly sufficient, Jake Browning cemented two of these Bengals wins.
I count on extra of the identical right here. This looks like a sport whereby the protection begins to seek out its footing and frustrates Lawrence. Whereas all the video games have been shut within the Burrow/Browning-Lawrence period, this one is probably not such a squeaker.
Jaguars 17, Bengals 31 — Win, 3-1
Week 5: Sunday, October 11—Bengals at Dolphins, Laborious Rock Stadium, 1 PM ET
Miami is in full rebuild mode. The group moved on from Tua Tagovailoa and has positioned its guess on Malik Willis for the foreseeable future.
Cincinnati has had some powerful ones in South Seashore, however the Bengals’ roster simply appears stacked an excessive amount of of their favor to endure a loss—even when they play an imperfect sport.
Bengals 34, Dolphins 14 – Win, 4-1
Week 6: Sunday, October 18—BYE
Week 7: Sunday, October 25—Bengals at Ravens, M&T Financial institution Stadium, 1 PM ET
Cincinnati must at the very least break up the collection towards Baltimore this season. Whereas the Steelers will linger round till the tip of the 12 months as they all the time do, and the Browns can be pesky, the AFC North will come all the way down to the Bengals and the Ravens.
Trey Hendrickson can be fired as much as go towards his previous group in entrance of his new dwelling crowd and can probably have a giant sport. If the Bengals wish to even the collection, it should wait till the tip of the season.
Bengals 26, Ravens 28 – Loss, 4-2
Week 8: Sunday, November 1—Titans at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 1 PM ET
Just like the Dolphins, the Titans are attempting to ascertain themselves with a brand new coach and a second-year quarterback. Cam Ward ought to present enchancment in 2026, however Cincinnati ought to bounce again at dwelling after a troublesome highway loss to Baltimore.
Titans 23, Bengals 34 – Win, 5-2
Week 9: Sunday, November 8—Bengals at Falcons (Madrid, Spain), 9:30 AM ET
Get to mattress early on Saturday night time and warmth up a number of pots of espresso for this one. Atlanta is tentatively dedicated to Michael Penix Jr., however the group introduced in a clone of him in Tagovailoa in case acquainted accidents and/or ineffectiveness happen.
There isn’t a lot of a barometer for the Bengals’ efficiency overseas, however it is going to check psychological fortitude. This one is a coin flip sport for me, however it wouldn’t shock me if the Bengals falter. Regardless, will probably be thrilling to see how Madrid responds to each of those groups as hosts.
Bengals 20, Falcons 22 – Loss, 5-3
Week 10: Sunday, November 15—Steelers at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 8:20 PM ET (Sunday Evening Soccer)
Hangover, hangover, hangover. This one simply reeks of a revenge sport by Pittsburgh, which is why the aforementioned worldwide coin flip sport sneakily must go in Cincinnati’s favor.
Whether or not it was across the vacation season of 2023 below Browning, or final 12 months’s drubbing with Joe Flacco within the 2025 matchup, Pittsburgh simply finds a method to even the collection. I see that taking place after prolonged journey and potential jet lag.
Bengals 17, Steelers 27 – Loss, 5-4
Week 11: Sunday, November 23—Bengals at Commanders, Northwest Stadium, 8:15 PM ET (Monday Evening Soccer)
The Bengals return to the sphere of nightmares, be it Joe Burrow’s rookie season knee harm, or followers practically falling on Commanders gamers. The final time these two groups confronted off, Burrow and Jayden Daniels lit up Monday Evening Soccer, with Cincinnati simply falling brief.
I can see Washington coming via right here, however deep down, I see Cincinnati ending its midseason skid in primetime.
Bengals 41, Commanders 35 – Win, 6-4
Week 12: Sunday, November 29—Saints at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 1 PM ET
This one could also be over by halftime. Tyler Shough supplied optimism, however this New Orleans group continues to be brief on general roster expertise.
Cincinnati cruises comfortably after lastly taking part in at dwelling for the primary time in practically a month, with Burrow and Co.’s patented late-season surge dominating headlines.
Saints 17, Bengals 38 – Win, 7-4
Week 13: Sunday, December 6—Bengals at Browns, Huntington Financial institution Area, 1 PM ET
The largest headline for the Browns at this level within the 12 months can be on the quarterback place. Who can be below heart in Cleveland? Has Shedeur Sanders taken the subsequent step?
Cincinnati CANNOT afford to drop this one. Myles Garrett can be his monstrous self, however the Bengals begin their quest to finish the season sweep in ugly style.
Bengals 18, Browns 13 – Win, 8-4
Week 14: Sunday, December 13—Chiefs at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 4:25 PM ET
Whew. This one won’t solely be for leftover bragging rights from a number of years again, but in addition for potential playoff seeding jockeying.
Cincinnati hasn’t had many dwelling alternatives towards Kansas Metropolis within the Burrow-Mahomes rivalry, however the final time they confronted off at Paycor, the Bengals pulled off a thriller. Will it repeat?
Chiefs 27, Bengals 28 – Win, 9-4
Week 15: Sunday, December 20—Bengals at Panthers, Financial institution of America Stadium, 1 PM ET
Carolina had a pleasant season final 12 months, and plenty of have been happy with the enhancements seen from Bryce Younger. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see if the Panthers can sustain the momentum and be a perennial playoff-pusher or not.
This one could also be a extra slick sport for the Bengals than many in Who Dey Nation would care to confess. I can see this one being neglected by the nationwide media, however being a very enjoyable watch.
Bengals 34, Panthers 31 – Win, 10-4
Week 16: TBD—Bengals at Colts, Lucas Oil Stadium, TBD
Ol’ Lou Anarumo will get his revenge right here. The Bengals’ former defensive coordinator is aware of the way to play chess towards Burrow, which ought to present points.
It’s a winnable sport for Cincinnati and never a lot of a “road” journey, however Anarumo provides simply sufficient points for the Bengals’ offense.
Bengals 22, Colts 24 – Loss, 10-5
Week 17: Thursday, December 31—Ravens at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, 8:15 PM ET
This one’s for the division. Each the Ravens and the Bengals needs to be within the playoff hunt at this level within the season, however the AFC North crown could possibly be within the sights for each groups right here.
It’s a brief week, and, for as soon as, the Bengals aren’t on the brief finish of the stick in that regard. That very nicely could be the finite side to provide Cincinnati the slight edge in what needs to be a VERY necessary sport in lots of regards.
Ravens 38, Bengals 42 – Win, 11-5
Week 18: TBD—Browns at Bengals, Paycor Stadium, TBD
This one is so arduous to foretell if the document and schedule fall as beforehand predicted. Will the Bengals be atop the division and relaxation starters? Would possibly they’ve a seed in sight to earn home-field postseason video games?
To ensure issues are attention-grabbing on this sport, and it isn’t a complete snoozer with a slew of backups, we’ll go together with the latter sentiment.
Browns 21, Bengals 27 – Win, 12-5
If the group will get to 11 or 12 wins as predicted, the Bengals can be again within the postseason and can probably have at the very least one dwelling sport within the course of. The estimated late-season surge will give Cincinnati each momentum and confidence all through January in its march to the Tremendous Bowl as soon as once more.
As we all know, it will all come all the way down to Burrow’s well being and what number of video games he performs in 2026. After struggling among the most extreme and uncommon accidents ever for an NFL quarterback, No. 9 is reportedly coping with a neck disc problem.
The opposite side to this 12 months is the handful of video games that might go both means when taking a look at them now within the late spring. The contests towards Atlanta, Kansas Metropolis, Carolina, and any within the division may flip a season projected at 11-12 wins right into a document hovering round .500.
How do you see the season taking part in out? Tell us within the feedback part!
