* W = win * L = Loss
Week 1: vs Minnesota Vikings – W
Most of this game will be on how our defense fairs against Dalvin Cook, Justin Jefferson, and Adam Thielen. The offense will have to succeed. The Vikings’ defense will be a test, and the Bengals will have their issues, but Mixon should see a lot of touches. Cincinnati’s trio of receivers should be able to create separation against Minnesota’s corners, which could lead to success through the passing game.
Bengals: 24 – Vikings: 17
Week 2: at Chicago Bears – W
I’m going to say we start the season 2-0. Could I be wrong, absolutely. But considering Andy Dalton is expected to start the early part of the season, I don’t see Chicago playing their best football until Justin Fields gets his opportunity which could give make playing them early easier. I could see this being a very defensive game. And this will be a substantial early test for Joe Burrow and the offense. Bengals: 17 – Bears: 14
Week 3: at Pittsburgh Steelers – L
Pittsburgh early on in the season will be a challenging task to deal with. I believe we’ll keep this competitive but ultimately will be a game we drop early on in the season.
Bengals: 21 – Steelers: 31
Week 4: vs Jacksonville Jaguars – W
Thursday night in Cincinnati against the rookie Trevor Lawerence will be a fun one to watch. I see this game being one of the best games for the offense and defense. The Jaguars have a very questionable offensive line which should give the Bengals plenty of opportunities to rush the passer. Bengals: 34 – Jaguars: 20
Week 5: vs Green Bay Packers – L
We could steal this one, but I believe the Packers will be firing on all cylinders by Week 5. I think we will keep this close, but it will be our first home loss of the season.
Bengals: 20 – Packers 28
Week 6: at Detroit Lions – W
The Bengals offense shouldn’t have trouble scoring on the Lions’ defense this year, in my opinion. The wideouts should be able to exploit the Lions’ secondary outside of Jeffery Okudah. But the Bengals will have their fair of guys to look out for—especially the D’Andre Swift/Jamaal Williams tandem. Jared Goff will be a new look for the Bengals defense that they will have to adjust to.
Bengals 38 – Lions 17
Week 7: at Baltimore Ravens – L
On the road, at Baltimore, I can see this being one of the worst games we play this season. I hope I’m wrong, but on the road against a loaded defense will be tough. The Bengals have struggled vs. Lamar Jackson over the last two seasons.
Bengals: 17 – Ravens: 34
Week 8: at New York Jets – W
This one will be interesting on the road because we don’t know what to expect from Zach Wilson at this point in the season, being Week 8 right around the mid-waypoint. The Jets defense isn’t anything to rave about, but with one of the best young offensive lines in the league, a talented rookie QB in Zach Wilson, and the additions of Corey Davis, rookie Elijah Moore, Tevin Coleman, and rookie Michael Carter this team could be better than expected. I think it will be close, but the Bengals pull it out after losing a bad one to Baltimore.
Bengals: 27 – Jets: 21
Week 9: vs Cleveland Browns – L
This will be a fun one in Cincinnati against the opposing Ohio team. I believe the Browns will and should be very good this season. They won’t be a pushover by any means, and they are stout on both sides of the ball. I think the Bengals are capable of beating them, but I don’t see it happening here. Bengals drop a competitive one to Cleveland.
Bengals: 23 – Browns: 32
Week 11: at Las Vegas Raiders – W
This one is a toss-up. The Raiders tend to play good late in the season. But with Derek Carr and with a young team, they could be excellent. On the road in Las Vegas will be another test. I do think the Bengals can win this game and will do it so by a field goal.
Bengals: 23 – Raiders: 20
Week 12: vs Pittsburgh Steelers – W
Meaningful football in Cincinnati in November against the Pittsburgh Steelers would be something all of the Bengals nation would love to hear come this game in Week 11. This should be a dog fight if both teams are in favorable positions. I predict the Bengals win this game and in a close one.
Bengals: 27 – Steelers: 24
Week 13: vs Los Angeles Chargers – W
Hebert vs. Burrow will be a showdown, and this game should be a shootout. It could go either way, but the Bengals steal a close one against the Chargers in Cincinnati. As I said, the Chargers could pull this one out. They do have an excellent team, but the Bengals will have to make the correct adjustments to win this game.
Bengals: 35 – Chargers: 32
Week 14: vs San Francisco 49ers – L
I think the Bengals have trouble against the 49ers defense in this one and drop a close one against San Francisco.
Bengals: 14 – 49ers: 17
Week 145: at Denver Broncos – W
I believe the Bengals win this one before the most extensive stretch and most challenging stretch of the season arrives in a close game.
Bengals: 20 – Broncos: 17
Week 16: vs Baltimore Ravens – L
I think the Bengals stay more competitive in this one than their first meeting, but I still feel like the struggles against Jackson will translate, and they lose this one in the 4th.
Bengals: 28 – Ravens: 34
Week 17: vs Kansas City Chiefs – L
This one will be tough if Kansas City is fully healthy. I have us dropping this one. Mahomes and the Chiefs’ offense is just too much to handle.
Bengals: 21 – Chiefs: 34
Week 18: at Cleveland Browns – L
At Cleveland, this one should be a shootout especially if both teams are playing meaningful football at this point in the season.
Bengals: 27 – Browns: 28
It’s that time! And boy am I glad! The preseason is over and the Bengals came out of it with a 3-1 record and with more reasons for optimism than pessimism in my opinion. The most important thing is that they did not suffer any major injuries to key players.