Bengals will have 3rd easiest schedule in 2026

TL;DR

The Cincinnati Bengals are set to have the third easiest schedule in 2026, a significant improvement from last season's 20th hardest lineup. This change comes alongside a revamped defense and the return of all core offensive players.

Key points

Bengals have the third easiest strength of schedule in 2026
Improvement from last season's 20th hardest schedule
Factors include projected win totals and team strengths

Cincinnati BengalsDetroit LionsNew Orleans SaintsBaltimore Ravens

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 21: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals looks to pass while pressured by Zach Sieler #92 and Tyrel Dodson #25 of the Miami Dolphins in the second quarter of a game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 21, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) | Getty Images The Cincinnati Bengals have revamped their defense and brought back all their core offensive players. That alone should mean they end up surpassing last season’s win total of six games. But the Bengals will also have a much easier schedule. As Warren Sharp posted on X and wrote on his website, Cincinnati will have the third easiest strength of schedule in 2026. That is quite the jump from last year’s “actual strength of schedule”, when the Bengals had the 20th hardest lineup of opponents. This season, only the Detroit Lions and will have weaker schedules, according to this metric. This strength of schedule is determined by the projected win totals of the Bengals’ opponents, and not how they finished last year. In other words, it looks at the current states of the teams, and not results that d0n’t tell the whole story. “Projected win totals incorporate current information about team strength, including offseason acquisitions, injuries, and coaching changes,” Sharp . This method also helps reduce the impact of luck. “We know that certain teams will benefit from luck factors in games next season, such as fumble recoveries, opponent field goal misses, tipped passes that result in interceptions, and red zone variance,” Sharp wrote. “But with current projected win totals, the pure luck factors that decide games are not incorporated.” If you’re wondering about the rest the AFC North, the have the fifth easiest schedule, the Cleveland Browns the seventh easiest, and the have the 16th easiest. Of course, no system is perfect, and much will change by the time the season starts. But one thing is for sure—the Bengals got a lot stronger by trading for and drafting Cashius Howell, who can contribute right away. We discussed those moves before in our latest show:

Q&A

What factors determine the Bengals' strength of schedule for 2026?

The Bengals' strength of schedule is based on the projected win totals of their opponents, considering current team strengths, offseason changes, and injuries.

Which teams have easier schedules than the Bengals in 2026?

Only the Detroit Lions and New Orleans Saints are projected to have easier schedules than the Bengals in 2026.

How did the Bengals' schedule change from last season to 2026?

The Bengals' schedule improved from having the 20th hardest lineup last season to the third easiest in 2026.

Bengals will have 3rd easiest schedule in 2026

TL;DR

Key points

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