Bengals Handed Schedule That Could Tip AFC North Race

The Bengals earned high marks among rival front offices for their for their offseason, after another ugly 2025 season, and the early returns on their schedule, just released Thursday, is that it should set up very well for them.

Joe Burrow has historically started slowly, with the Bengals losing against to lesser teams in September and then having to play catch up. 

This season they will be favored in four of their first five games before an  early bye, which is not ideal, but they travel to Baltimore after that bye; their games with the Ravens are very likely going to decide the AFC North, and Cincinnatti hosts Baltimore in Week 17 in prime time, which also works in their favor.

After that first Ravens game, and until they face the Chiefs in Week 14, the Bengals will also be in position to go on a run against the Titans, Falcons, Steelers, Commanders, Saints and Browns, another cluster of games in which, barring significant injuries, they are likely to be the favorite in.

“They might be the most improved team in the AFC,” one general manager said, with he schedule yet another factor that looks tilted in their direction.

Earlier The Better

If Burrow, who is healthy in the offseason for a change, can get off to a hot start, the Bengals have a chance to put some distance between themselves and the rest of the division. 

They also are set to open the season with seven straight 1pm starts, a window in which Burrow has been at his best in his career.

Burrow is 24-17 in his career in 1pm starts, with 89 touchdowns to 35 interceptions, completing 69% of his passes and posting a stellar quarterback rating of 101.2. 

After years of complaining about having the face the Ravens in Baltimore on a short week and in prime time, he doesn’t have to deal with any of that this season.