NFL schedule release: Predictions for every Cincinnati Bengals game

Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up at the start of the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium.

Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) warms up for a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.

Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) reacts after making a catch for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates as he begins his chase for the NFL sack record after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium.

Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes the ball Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) reacts after Pittsburgh Steelers miss a field goal in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field.

Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium.

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Sep 28, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at Highmark Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) looks to the sideline during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) celebrates a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Nov 2, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (90) warms up at the start of the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Acrisure Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Nov 2, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) passes the ball during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Nov 30, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward (97) warms up for a game against the Buffalo Bills at Acrisure Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) reacts after making a catch for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) throws a pass during the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates as he begins his chase for the NFL sack record after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) during the first half against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (98) warms up prior to the game against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) rushes the ball Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns linebacker Devin Bush (30) reacts after Pittsburgh Steelers miss a field goal in the third quarter at Huntington Bank Field.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Dec 29, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III (3) returns an interception for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Jan 3, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers in the first half at Raymond James Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) warms up before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium.

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Cincinnati Bengals 2026 schedule | A look at the opponents

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium.

Here are our way-too-early, game-by-game predictions in the wake of the NFL schedule release on May 14:

Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m., Sept. 13

Tampa Bay hasn't lost a season opener since 2020, and coach Todd Bowles does a fantastic job developing pass-rush game plans. The Bucs are one of those competitive teams that can beat anyone, and it all doesn't bode well for the traditionally slow-starting Bengals. Pick: Buccaneers 24, Bengals 21

Week 2: Bengals at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., Sept. 20

Not an ideal Game 2 for the Bengals – on the road against a team that's gone to the playoffs three straight seasons and is expected to contend for the postseason again. The Texans have all their key offensive weapons back, and they added veteran running back and former Mount Healthy High School standout David Montgomery in a trade with Detroit. Pick: Texans 23, Bengals 20

Week 3: Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m., Sept 27

The Bengals offense gets settled in, and Burrow and Co. will be amped to flex their muscles in a rivalry game against the rebuilding Steelers. Pick: Bengals 28, Steelers 17

Week 4: Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Oct. 4

Jacksonville is coming off a surprising 2025 season in which the Jaguars won the AFC South. They'll be looking to take the next step this season – and they'll be out to avenge last season's Week 2 loss in Cincinnati. Last team with the ball wins this entertaining, high-scoring game. Pick: Jaguars 35, Bengals 30

Week 5: Bengals at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., Oct. 11

The Dolphins are expected to be one of the worst teams in the NFL. Look for the Bengals to do what they did in Miami late last season – move the ball up and down the field at will. Pick: Bengals 42, Dolphins 13

Week 6: BYE WEEK

Week 7: Bengals at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., Oct. 25

Too bad this isn't in primetime. Lots of storylines. First-year Ravens coach Jesse Minter returns to Cincinnati, where he played college ball at Mount Saint Joseph University and watched his dad, Rick, coach the UC Bearcats. Former Bengals edge rusher Trey Hendrickson also returns. The boo-birds will be ready for Hendrickson. But this game belongs to Burrow, who will have his best game of the season to date. Pick: Bengals 28, Ravens 24

Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow paces between plays in the first quarter of their NFL Week 15 game against the Baltimore Ravens at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025.

Week 8: Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., Nov. 1

Dexter Lawrence and the Bengals' rebuilt offensive line will have second-year quarterback Cam Ward scrambling all game, and the Bengals will enjoy their first three-game winning streak since late in the 2024 season. Pick: Bengals 35, Titans 17

Week 9: Bengals at Atlanta Falcons, 9:30 a.m., Nov. 8

Burrow on an international stage? He was made for games like this, as the Bengals head to Madrid, Spain, for their first overseas game since 2019. They'll be a little jet-lagged, but so will the middling Falcons. Pick: Bengals 20, Falcons 14

Week 10: Bengals vs. Steelers, 8:20 p.m., Nov. 15, NBC Sunday Night Football

If Aaron Rodgers is the Steelers' quarterback, Pittsburgh will rely on the game plan that helped it win in Cincinnati last year in primetime. Lots of short passes will frustrate the Bengals' improved defense. The Steelers' defensive front will also fluster Burrow all night. Pick: Steelers 23, Bengals 21

Week 11: Bengals at Washington Commanders, 8:15 p.m., Nov. 23, ESPN Monday Night Football

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels is coming off a rough 2025 season. But remember, he burst onto the NFL scene with a breakout, primetime performance at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium in 2024. Daniels went 21-for-23 passing that night, and he'll follow that script again. Pick: Commanders 30, Bengals 27

Week 12: Bengals vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m., Nov. 29

Unlike the opener, the Bengals will be ready for a scrappy NFC South opponent at home. This will be the warmup game for a December playoff push. Pick: Bengals 42, Saints 20

Week 13: Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., Dec. 6

You know the drill. Zac Taylor's teams stumble in Cleveland. After an ugly, season-opening win in Cleveland last season, the Bengals will be back to playing like dog doo-doo in the Dawg Pound. Pick: Browns 20, Bengals 13

Week 14: Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 4:25 p.m., Dec. 13

It won't be like those Bengals-Chiefs battles of a few years ago, when both teams were bona fide Super Bowl contenders. But hey, it's still the Chiefs. It's still Burrow vs. Patrick Mahomes. And both teams should be in the playoff hunt. Pick: Bengals 24, Chiefs 23

Week 15: Bengals at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Dec. 20

Another middling AFC South team. Burrow is 2-0 in his career against Carolina, both double-digit victories. No reason he'll lose now, especially in a playoff push. Pick: Bengals 35, Panthers 20

Week 16: Bengals at Indianapolis Colts, TBD, Dec. 26 or Dec. 27

It will be the first time seeing Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo since he was fired by the Bengals after the 2024 season. He'll draw up the perfect game plan to frustrate Burrow and the Bengals' receivers. Pick: Colts 21, Bengals 17

Week 17: Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:15 p.m., Dec. 31, Amazon Prime Thursday Night Football

Buckle up. Finally, the Bengals get a primetime home game against the rival Ravens after playing such games in Baltimore the last four seasons. This is for the AFC North championship. The Ravens will get payback for the early-season loss in an overtime thriller, ending the Bengals' playoff hopes. Pick: Ravens 41, Bengals 38

Week 18: Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, TBD, Jan. 9 or Jan. 10

Both teams will, again, being playing out the string. The Bengals will be looking to finish with a winning record, which is important to owner Mike Brown. Pick: Bengals 24, Browns 14

Bengals 2026 record prediction

Look for the Bengals to finish the season 9-8.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Predictions for every 2026 Bengals game after NFL schedule release