Schedule Next Year Looks Brutal

[CrashDavisSports]

We better win this thing this year because next year looks tough as hell. I hope we keep improving with this team, but seriously, that is one hell of a slate.

Browns x 2 (beat us twice this year)
Steelers x 2 (playoff team)
Ravens x 2 (always tough - minus this year for some reason)

Patriots (playoff team)
Bills (playoff team)
Dolphins (7 or 8 game win streak and almost made the playoffs)
Jets

Buccaneers (probably defending back to back SB champions)
Saints (QB away almost made playoffs)
Falcons
Panthers

Cowboys (ouch)
Chiefs (ouch)
Titans (ouch)

 

[DanBengalfan]

all depends on how healthy teams are.

we should be good enough to beat the browns twice.
the ravens have potential, but they were off this year, so maybe that will continue
the steelers will be starting over with a new QB, we should take care of business

we win the division, and we're in. this team needs to have some upgrades on defense, and some OL depth before it can think about getting a high playoff seed. #1 priority, keep joe b healthy.

 

[cincygrad]

The flip side to this is "what team would want to play us?" Burrow in Year 3. Three amazing wide receivers. Mixon still in his prime. Large amounts of salary cap to patch holes on the offensive line and add depth. The Bengals should easily be a top 5 team coming into next season.

Of the teams you mention - I think we'll be the consensus top pick in the division with Baltimore being 2nd. Cleveland is a question mark until they solve the Mayfield business.

The Pats and Bills will be playoff teams again next year and will be tough. The NFC-S has been a bit of a mess..... Even the best team, Tampa, is sort of on a year-to-year basis right now. They're a Tom Brady injury or retirement away from having to rebuild.

Chiefs and Titans should both still be solid, but they should be worrying about us in the conference.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Too much happens between now and next year, and even more happens once the season begins.

I take little stock in the "schedule" because there's so much fluidity in each team between when it is released to when games are played.