Way-too-Early 2025 Bengals Schedule Predictions

The 2025 Cincinnati Bengals schedule has been released, and while we already knew the opponents and venues, we weren’t certain of the order of the matchups. As always, we try to look into the crystal ball in an effort to see where the team may end up by the end of the season.

Last year at this time, we projected an 11-6 finish with a Wild Card berth. While the Bengals made a valiant effort with five straight wins to conclude the year, they came just short of another playoff berth, finishing 9-8.

Cincinnati’s 2025 offseason has been filled with emotional peaks and valleys. After their stars publicly lobbied for the re-signing of four of their valued players, Cincinnati stepped up with long-term deals for three of them (Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Mike Gesicki). The drama with Trey Hendrickson is dragging on, but the hope is that the two sides will come to an amicable extension.

With most of the stars in tow, and new faces added both to the roster and coaching ranks, the Bengals are aiming for another deep playoff run. However, questions remain—particularly about Hendrickson’s situation and whether the roster holes have been properly filled—so the outlook for the 2025 Bengals remains murky.

Regardless, there are intriguing facets and flows to the Bengals’ 2025 schedule. Here are some things to note:

• The Bengals have four primetime games scheduled (including one on Thanksgiving night), but only one of them is at home.
• They have a desirable bye week right in the middle of their schedule in Week 10.
• Cincinnati travels the fewest miles in the league this year and, as expected, does not have a game scheduled abroad.
• The Bengals play three of their first four games on the road but have four straight home games leading into the bye.
• Cincinnati is 7-11-1 in September during the Joe Burrow era, with a 1-4 record in that month against divisional opponents.
• Aside from a 4-2 record against the AFC North in 2021 (both losses coming against Cleveland), Cincinnati has had mixed results at best in divisional play during the Zac Taylor/Joe Burrow era.

Knowing what’s in front of them for the 2025 season, here is a way-too-early slate of previews and projections for the Bengals’ outlook this year.

Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

Do you believe Zac Taylor and his 2025 edict of starting off the season hotter in the first few weeks? While that’s a priority for the team, the track record says otherwise, and the defense may still be getting their feet under them with new defensive coordinator Al Golden.

Shedeur Sanders could be the opening quarterback for the Browns, and we’ve seen the storyline play out wherein the Bengals struggle against mobile, unfamiliar quarterbacks. Throw in the fact that the Browns have largely been a thorn in the side of the Bengals since Burrow joined them, and this one could spell disappointment.

Bengals 20, Browns 26 — LOSS, 0-1

Week 2: Jacksonville Jaguars at Cincinnati Bengals

The Jaguars are betting on Liam Coen to take Trevor Lawrence to the next level, and while he may be the guy to do so, this might not be an opportune time to face off against the explosive Bengals offense. Cincinnati will look to take out a potential season-opening loss on Jacksonville at home, and it may be another year or two before the Jags hit their stride again.

Jaguars 22, Bengals 31 — WIN, 1-1

Week 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings

This one is tricky to predict. The Vikings have been regular-season juggernauts under Kevin O’Connell for the past couple of years, but another quarterback change is occurring. The 34-17 record in the first 17 weeks of the season in the O’Connell era over the past three years is impressive, but their snags against quality opponents and questions of J.J. McCarthy’s viability remain.

While Cincinnati is 8-7 all-time against the Vikings, they have won four of the last six head-to-head matchups. This could be a shootout with Chase and Justin Jefferson putting on a show, but Cincinnati very well could prevail on the road.

Bengals 27, Vikings 24 — WIN, 2-1

Week 4: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos

Last year’s holiday matchup between Christmas and New Year’s was one for the ages. Both teams were gunning for the playoffs, and the Bengals prevailed in overtime with a boatload of fireworks.

Bo Nix has proven that he is an able NFL starter, despite rookie inconsistencies, but he has shown the ability to make many throws. This one will probably be tight again, but the early road grind, the tough Denver defense, and those aforementioned early struggles might catch up to the Bengals. However, if Nix comes up with a couple of timely turnovers, Cincinnati might sneak out of the Mile High City with a win.

Bengals 31, Broncos 30 (Overtime again?) — WIN, 3-1

Week 5: Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals

The future of Hendrickson looms large in this one. While he doesn’t line up against the right tackle, who would be Penei Sewell in this game, the Bengals having as many able pass rushers as possible would help immensely.

While many aren’t talking about this matchup, it’s possible that this is a Super Bowl preview. Both teams have the ability to score points and both can be physical when they choose. It’s a coin-flip game, but with the Lions’ more recent ascension, we’re giving them the nod.

Lions 48, Bengals 41 — LOSS, 3-2

Week 6: Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers

Cincinnati faces back-to-back tough NFC North foes with the Packers hosting them in mid-October. Thankfully, the weather should be temperate, playing into the hands of both Jordan Love and Joe Burrow.

Green Bay has won 20 regular-season games with Love as their starter over the past two seasons, both culminating in playoff berths. While the Packers are formidable, especially at Lambeau, the recent matchups (albeit infrequent) between these two teams have led to some of the wackiest endings and storylines imaginable. The Bengals are 3-2 in the last five meetings, with each of them being one-score decisions.

One can queue up the game that asserted Brett Favre to Hall of Fame status back in 1992, but more recent memories conjure up Daniel Coats, Terence Newman, and Mason Crosby. Who knows what this one will bring?

Bengals 34, Packers 27 — WIN, 4-2

Week 7: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

Oh, those tricky short weeks. While the Steelers are a team in quarterback flux, one can NEVER rule them out as being scrappy, competitive, and an NFL behemoth of a team.

This is a point in the season wherein both teams could be collecting their respective strides. One is inclined to think that the Bengals will be fatigued with the four road games in the first six weeks (along with playing a physical Steelers team on a few days’ rest), and Pittsburgh could take advantage.

Steelers 23, Bengals 16 — LOSS, 4-3

Week 8: New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals

The last time the Bengals faced Justin Fields, he gave them fits. His ability to get out of would-be sacks and extend plays for first downs killed them back in 2021.

However, while staying at home on a mini-bye, Cincinnati should take care of business. Late October and December is when the Burrow-led Bengals tend to make things interesting, so they should be able to take advantage of a Jets team in transition.

Jets 22, Bengals 34 — WIN, 5-3

Week 9: Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals

It’s a make-or-break season for Caleb Williams, and while it usually takes three years to properly evaluate a pro quarterback, Chicago’s need and timeline for a franchise quarterback is far more accelerated than many other teams. He flashed as a rookie, and the Bears’ brain trust invested in trench players this offseason.

This might be one of those “what the…?!” games by the Bengals, wherein Williams showcases his No. 1 overall pick status. Can Golden’s defense hold up against the supposedly up-and-coming Bears offense?

Bears 26, Bengals 20 — LOSS, 5-4

Week 10: BYE — 5-4

Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

This rematch will be critical for the Bengals’ playoff chances in 2025. Cincinnati has been struggling to split all of the AFC North series, but extra rest should aid them here.

Again, looking at Pittsburgh on paper and their perceived weaknesses is a fool’s errand. They’re always in the mix, and while this should be a tough matchup once again, Cincinnati should take this one to even the season rivalry.

Bengals 22, Steelers 20 — WIN, 6-4

Week 12: New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals

Last year’s season opener ended up spelling doom for the Bengals, as they ultimately missed the playoffs by one win. The flop they put forth in Week 1 against Jacoby Brissett and Co. lives in infamy, and Cincinnati is undoubtedly looking for revenge.

Drake Maye showed promise toward the end of the year for the Patriots, but a glut of roster deficiencies was prevalent. Mike Vrabel will turn things around in New England, but his rebuild will still take at least another year.

Patriots 16, Bengals 26 — WIN, 7-4

Week 13: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (Thanksgiving)

To put it bluntly, Cincinnati has not been able to provide any answers for Lamar Jackson. While I’m inclined to think that“The Golden Effect” will directly apply to Jackson and the Ravens offense, his track record against the Bengals speaks for itself—especially on a short week.

Bengals 38, Ravens 41 — LOSS, 7-5

Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills

However you want to rank the league’s top quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Jackson, and Burrow are always in the top five in the NFL. While Mahomes and Burrow have clashed for many iconic games, Allen and Burrow have also faced off in high-profile games.

Burrow has bested Allen in recent matchups (the unfortunate regular-season contest in 2022 notwithstanding), but beating Buffalo at home in early December is a big ask. Given the last few contests, I’m inclined to believe that Cincinnati’s offense is a bad matchup for the Bills.

Bengals 34, Bills 28 — WIN, 8-5

Week 15: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals

Have the Bengals figured out Lamar Jackson yet?

Ravens 31, Bengals 27 — LOSS, 8-6

Week 16: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins

Tua Tagovailoa has had flashes of brilliance, but the Dolphins have yet to take the next step under his leadership. Miami tends to be the quintessential team that “wins the games they are supposed to” but falters against quality opponents—especially with playoff implications on the line.

Cincinnati will be looking to take things out on the Dolphins after a sweep by the Ravens and should be successful. It could be close, but Tagovailoa could force throws against a Bengals team that tends to surge at the end of the season.

Bengals 30, Dolphins 20 — WIN, 9-6

Week 17: Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals

This one is all about the health of the respective rosters. The last time these two teams met in the desert back in 2023, Arizona was missing Kyler Murray, and James Conner—who was ripping the Bengals apart—left the game early. If Murray is healthy and the Cardinals are in the playoff hunt, they could prove dangerous.

Cardinals 34, Bengals 26 — LOSS, 9-7

Week 18: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

This one could have major playoff implications—potentially for both teams. With projected double-digit wins, Cincinnati should be seeded in the playoffs, so it will be interesting to see who plays for each team in this one.

With some form of home-field advantage potentially on the line for the Bengals, they could have something to play for. And with the “Battle of Ohio” meaning so much to the Brown family, they should take care of business in their home season finale.

Browns 17, Bengals 26 — WIN, 10-7

Season Result: WILD CARD