The Bengals Got A Good Draw In The NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released every teams schedule on April 20th.  Last year, Cincinnati got a terrible draw and I knew another playoff appearance was not likely. If the Bengals do not succeed this year they may start to go into a rebuild, but they got some good news getting a pretty easy schedule. 

Sunday September 10th: vs. Baltimore 1:00 

Thursday September 14th vs. Houston 8:25

Sunday September 24th @ Green Bay 4:25

Sunday October 1st @ Cleveland 1:00

Sunday October 8th vs. Buffalo 1:00

**BYE**

Sunday October 22nd @ Pittsburgh 1:00

Sunday October 29th vs. Indianapolis 1:00

Sunday November 5th @ Jacksonville 1:00

Sunday November 12th @ Tennessee 1:00

Sunday November 19th @ Denver 4:25

Sunday November 26th vs. Cleveland 1:00 

Monday December 4th vs. Pittsburgh 8:30

Sunday December 10th vs. Chicago 1:00

Sunday December 17th @ Minnesota 1:00

Sunday December 24th vs. Detroit 1:00

Sunday December 31st @ Baltimore 1:00

THOUGHTS:

The Bengals play just 4 teams who had a better than .500 record last year (Houston, Green Bay, Pittsburgh, & Detroit.)  They have the 29th ranked strength of schedule. Basically, only 3 teams have an easy schedule than them. 

Cincinnati has a way easier start to the year this year than they did last year when they went on the road to New York and Pittsburgh to start the season.  This is the first time since 2009 the Bengals will open up at home and it comes against a Baltimore team who has been average at best the last couple of years. They haven't had their first two games at home since 1983. 

Marvin Lewis and his team were given just 2 prime time games this probably because of their poor record last year. Cincinnati did improve in prime time last year and both games are at home so that should help.  They do not have a Sunday nigh football games this year.  12/16 games will be played at 1:00 and they do not travel over to London this year. 

The Bengals have three straight road games against Jacksonville, Tennessee, and Denver. This should be their toughest part of the schedule. I would be happy with taking 1 of these games, but anything more would be a bonus. The Bengals have never won at Denver in the regular season. 

Nobody really knows what to expect from the Bengals this season yet, but I have the Bengals going 9-7, which probably doesn't get a playoff spot. The only games, I don't think the Bengals really have a chance in is when they go on to the road against Green Bay and Pittsburgh. I fully expect Cincinnati to be in the wildcard race coming into the final three games against Minnesota, Detroit, and Baltimore. For the AFC North, I think they go 3-3, beating Cleveland twice, splitting with Baltimore and losing both games against Pittsburgh.