Breaking down the Cincinnati Bengals' 2024 NFL Schedule
The Cincinnati Bengals’ schedule for the 2024 NFL season is set.
Expectations for the Bengals will again be high after a season in which the franchise missed the playoffs with a 9-8 record after two years of advancing to the AFC Championship (2021-22). As quarterback Joe Burrow recovers from season-ending wrist surgery, the urgency around the Bengals heading into the upcoming season is palpable.
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Let’s dive into the biggest takeaways from the Bengals’ schedule release:
Prime-time games, big stage
The Bengals are scheduled to play five prime-time games. The Bengals host the Washington Commanders on “Monday Night Football” and the Cleveland Browns on “Thursday Night Football” at Paycor Stadium. Cincinnati will travel to Baltimore for a Thursday night showdown against the Ravens – one of two Thursday night games – and Dallas for a matchup against the Cowboys on “Monday Night Football” at AT&T Stadium. Head coach Zac Taylor and his club will also head to MetLife Stadium for “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the New York Giants.
Toughest stretch of the 2024 season for the Bengals
Because the Bengals finished in last place of the AFC North last season, their schedule isn’t as daunting as it was in 2023. The toughest stretch of the Bengals season comes in the middle of the season from Week 10 through Week 14. Fortunately for Cincinnati, this stretch of games is broken up with a bye week in the middle which falls at a perfect time for the Bengals.
During this four-game period, the Bengals go on the road in back-to-back weeks to face two of the AFC’s best quarterbacks in Lamar Jackson of the Ravens and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers. All three teams are expected to make the playoffs this season because of their quarterback play. This means Cincinnati will have to win at least one of these games because of tie-breaker scenarios in the AFC if it comes down to that at the end of the season. The Bengals made Burrow the highest paid quarterback on an annual basis in the NFL over Jackson and Herbert. He needs to play well and help deliver wins to his team in both these games.
Cincinnati gets lucky with a bye week after a trip out West. When the Bengals return from their bye week, they face the Steelers, who have always provided challenges to Cincinnati – specifically last year when they swept the Bengals. To cap off this tough stretch, Cincinnati travels to one of the premier stadiums in the NFL in Dallas as they take on the Cowboys who possessed one of the best teams in the NFL last season.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ must-win game
Week 5 at Paycor Stadium vs. the Baltimore Ravens is a must-win game for the Bengals. Last year in Week 2, the Bengals let a win slip away from the Ravens and it ended up costing them big time in the division. Cincinnati wasn’t good enough against AFC North opponents last year and the Ravens are expected to be a contender in the AFC once again. Right now, the Bengals and Ravens appear to be the front-runners to win the division based off their quarterback play. They need to at least split the series against the Ravens to ensure they can have a chance in the final week of the season to once again be AFC North winners. It’s always tougher to go on the road in a loud environment and expect to win so if the Bengals can take care of business on their home turf, they have more breathing room if they were to lose in Week 10 at Baltimore.
Most intriguing non-prime-time game
The Bengals’ Week 2 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati hosting the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 are two matchups worth keeping an eye on. Since 2021, the Bengals vs. Chiefs rivalry has become one of the league’s best. Patrick Mahomes vs. Burrow has become must-see TV and the fact that it’s taking place early in the season is intriguing because both teams will need to be ready to go early on in the season.
Cincinnati hosting Philadelphia is interesting because it’s not a matchup that happens often. Philadelphia is one of the best teams in the NFC and this should be one of the more competitive games on the Bengals’ schedule due to the talent on both sides of the ball. The Eagles – similar to the Bengals – are coming off a down year and are also in prime position to make another deep postseason run with quarterback Jalen Hurts at the helm.
Must-see matchup for position groups
How the Bengals play in the trenches against the Cowboys and Eagles are position battles worth monitoring. The Bengals have spent a ton of money on improving their offensive line to protect Burrow as much as they can and both of these NFC East teams have strong defensive lines known for wreaking havoc against their opponents.
On the other side of the ball, Dallas and Philadelphia have two of the most consistent and talented offensive lines in football. The Bengals need more from their pass rush than they got last season and if they want to beat either of these teams, they’ll need dominant play from their defensive line.
No holiday games for the Bengals
Cincinnati won’t play on either Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. The NFL picked the Chiefs, Ravens, Texans and Steelers to play on Christmas for the first games on Netflix. On Thanksgiving, the Lions, Cowboys, Packers, Dolphins, Bears and Giants will play.
No international games for the Bengals
The Bengals won't be playing internationally this year. All signs point to Cincinnati going overseas in 2025 now that they won't be featured in any of the five games played in the international slate this season. The Packers and Eagles are playing in Brazil, the Jets, Vikings, Jaguars, Bears and Patriots will play in London. Carolina and the New York Giants will be squaring off in Munich, Germany.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 2024 Bengals schedule announced: Breaking down biggest games, dates
