The Cincinnati Bengals' 2025 schedule is here, so of course it's time to make some way-too-early predictions regarding the entire 17-game schedule.
Cincinnati has four primetime games on the docket, three of which are away from Paycor Stadium, a nice three-week stretch of home contests, and four of their AFC North divisional games occur after the team's Week 11 bye.
Let's get right to it and have some fun predicting how the Bengals fare in 2025.
Week 1 @ Cleveland Browns
Bengals lose 10-20: C'mon now, you really thought I'd predict the Bengals to win a season-opener? In this economy? Child please. See-it-to-believe-it stuff here.
Bengals' record after Week 1: 0-1
Week 2 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Bengals win 27-17: I like what the Jags are doing and Travis Hunter should be a mysterious wild card to face this early in the season, but I'll give the Bengals a win in their home opener.
Bengals' record after Week 2: 1-1
Week 3 at Minnesota Vikings
Bengals lose 19-31: Who knows what this Vikings team will look like with JJ McCarthy leading the charge, but I think the Bengals are the lesser team on paper and will be playing in an underrated environment.
Bengals' record after Week 3: 1-2
Week 4 at Denver Broncos
Bengals win 26-24: Fun rematch of last year's Week 17 slugfest, this time on Monday Night Football! Cincinnati usually shows up for primetime games, but another close battle against a Broncos team with a slightly more experienced Bo Nix should be inevitable.
Bengals' record after Week 4: 2-2
Week 5 vs. Detroit Lions
Bengals win 28-24: I don't think the Lions are doomed after both coordinators left town, but I do think Joe Burrow is better than Jared Goff and Detroit's defense still has as many questions as Cincinnati's defense. Going with the home team here.
Bengals' record after Week 5: 3-2
Week 6 at Green Bay Packers
Bengals lose 26-27: Bengals-Packers games always have these wild twists and turns and typically end pretty close. This is not quite Jordan Love Toyotathon time of the year, but he's still capable of winning against so-so defenses.
Bengals' record after Week 6: 3-3
Week 7 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Bengals win 34-21: Short week turnaround coming off a close loss on the road has the recipe for a Thursday night smackdown against a team without a proven quarterback. Or Aaron Rodgers? Either way, this feels like a get-right opportunity.
Bengals' record after Week 7: 4-3
Week 8 vs. New York Jets
Bengals win 35-19: Now they're starting to roll a bit. The memory of Marvin Jones' four-touchdown game against New York in Week 8 of 2013 is strong here. Maybe Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins will replicate that crazy afternoon from 12 years ago.
Bengals' record after Week 8: 5-3
Week 9 vs. Chicago Bears
Bengals lose 17-27: Ben Johnson's offense could be clicking at this point and the Bears' interior offensive line is a major mismatch for the Bengals' interior defensive line.
Bengals' record after Week 9: 5-4
Week 10 BYE WEEK
Arguably the best week for a bye if we're keeping it a buck.
Bengals' record at the bye: 5-4
Week 11 at Pittsburgh Steelers
Bengals lose 16-22: An ugly game is in my head. Sweeping a divisional rival has become an impossible task for the Bengals at this point. Again, I need to see it first.
Bengals' record after Week 11: 5-5
Week 12 vs. New England Patriots
Bengals win 44-31: Let's see a shootout of the most unlikely proportions because why not? Cincinnati remembers Week 1 of last year very well and would like some revenge, but Drake Maye taking a step forward is very much in the cards.
Bengals' record after Week 12: 6-5
Week 13 at Baltimore Ravens
Bengals lose 27-33: The NFL loves this freakin' matchup on Thursday Night Football; so much that they put it on Thanksgiving night of all nights. The Ravens have handed Cincinnati an L the last three times in M&T Bank Stadium, all under the lights. Are you picking up on my theme yet? Proof of change is needed.
Bengals' record after Week 13: 6-6
Week 14 at Buffalo Bills
Bengals win 24-21: A great game should be in store for us here. Burrow vs. Josh Allen for a late afternoon tilt. The Bengals show up and finish the job here like they have the previous two times these QBs have met (and played a full game against one another).
Bengals' record after Week 14: 7-6
Week 15 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Bengals lose 27-30: Same points scored as the Week 13 meeting, same result on the record sheet. Like it or not, the Ravens are the better team on paper right now and have the Bengals' number. Argue with the owner's box.
Bengals ' record after Week 15: 7-7
Week 16 at Miami Dolphins
Bengals win 24-13: I'm not feeling these Dolphins at the moment, and by the time this game arrives, I'm not so sure they'll be in the playoff hunt. Cincinnati will be locked in toward the playoff push at this point. Backs are up against the wall.
Bengals' record after Week 16: 8-7
Week 17 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Bengals win 31-20: It's just that time of year. The Bengals will look like the team they've always needed to be for the first three months of the season at the very last possible moment to stay alive in the playoff race.
Bengals' record after Week 17: 9-7
Week 18 vs. Cleveland Browns
Bengals win 19-17: I'm probably going to regret this prediction, but winning the final three games on this schedule is absolutely in play. Cincinnati gets revenge from Week 1 at home, and a Wild Card spot is on the table.
Bengals' record after Week 17: 10-7
Final Record: 10-7
I wanted to go with nine wins so badly, but that would be some low hanging fruit. Regardless of final record, every Bengals season prediction needs a healthy dosage of questionable losses, inspiring wins, a Week 1 head-scratcher, and a late-year winning streak. Consider those boxes checked.
