Schedule Thread

[cincygrad]

Happy schedule release day. The annual day of the year where we learn who will give us our first two losses (games 1 and 2)..... I'm hoping they schedule some hard teams. I'd rather lose to a good team than lose to the worst team in the league like last year.

That said, early rumors are that we are starting on SNF vs. the Bills.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Happy schedule release day. The annual day of the year where we learn who will give us our first two losses (games 1 and 2)..... I'm hoping they schedule some hard teams. I'd rather lose to a good team than lose to the worst team in the league like last year.

That said, early rumors are that we are starting on SNF vs. the Bills.

Bengals travel less than any other team in the NFL.

Two furthest games are @Denver and @Mia, I believe...

 

[Cincyfan78]

Bengals at Bills - Week 14 - 4:25Joe Burrow vs Josh Allen, on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[cincygrad]

Bengals at Bills - Week 14 - 4:25Joe Burrow vs Josh Allen, on a Sunday afternoon.

I'm seeing that...... I'm now hearing speculation that we open week 1 in Cleveland.

 

[cincygrad]

Speculation that Jax will be our home opener - Week 2.

It's going to be hilarious when we start the season 0-2 with losses to Cleveland and Jacksonville.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Speculation that Jax will be our home opener - Week 2.

It's going to be hilarious when we start the season 0-2 with losses to Cleveland and Jacksonville.

"Supposedly", Taylor is going to make our starters play in the preseason so we don't get off to such a slow start this year.

 

[Cincyfan78]

"Supposedly", Taylor is going to make our starters play in the preseason so we don't get off to such a slow start this year.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Exactly. I will believe it when I see it.

 

[DanBengalfan]

slow start will be blamed on trey sitting out. offense should be ok. hopefully the other des will fill in well enough.

 

[cincygrad]

Rumor has it that the Bengals could be in Baltimore on Thanksgiving night. If true that would be 4 straight primetime games against them in their place. Three straight on a short week. That's fair.

 

[BKBroiler9000]

This front office generates weekly embarrassment and negative press for their incompetence. Yet our fans somehow are shocked and surprised every year when the Bengals get “screwed” by the schedule makers.

THEY HATE THE BENGALS

Gee whiz, ya think? They’re one more 31-1 contrarian vote from Katie away from losing the draft in 2027-28.

 

[cincygrad]

This front office generates weekly embarrassment and negative press for their incompetence. Yet our fans somehow are shocked and surprised every year when the Bengals get “screwed” by the schedule makers.

THEY HATE THE BENGALS

Gee whiz, ya think? They’re one more 31-1 contrarian vote from Katie away from losing the draft in 2027-28.

Yeah.... I mean I get it - The league isn't going to do them any favors. Clearly the schedule makers don't think as much of them this year - One primetime home game. Sort of strange though - If and when the Bengals suck, they will still be entertaining. With so much of the general public interested in fantasy football and in-game betting, the Bengals should be must see TV given all the points the could score and all the points the could give up.

 

[DanBengalfan]

the schedule could be a lot worse.
I don't like the way the Baltimore games are handled, that does suck.

if they come up with excuses as to why they didn't make the playoffs, heads should roll. they won't, but they should. lol.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Honestly - I kind of like how the schedule sets up. Near mid-year Bye. No more than 2 away games in a row...I think there are at least 3 home games in a row once, and another stretch of 2 home games in a row once or twice. Bengals travel the least amount of miles of any NFL team.

Only thing that sucks is the continuance of road games in prime time. Since 2022 Bengals have been home for a Prime Game 9 times. Road 19. I mean...I think the NFL is still pissed about the whole Bills/Bengals game that everyone refused to return to play in after dude died on the field.

 

[Cincyfan78]

3 of first 4 on the road, but very winnable (at least in a normal world where the players are ready).

3 of last 4 are home, when Bengals have been playing their best ball under Taylor.

Bye week is week 9, right in the middle.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

3 of first 4 on the road, but very winnable (at least in a normal world where the players are ready).

3 of last 4 are home, when Bengals have been playing their best ball under Taylor.

Bye week is week 9, right in the middle.

I thought Bye was week 10.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I thought Bye was week 10.

You are correct - miscounted...still near the middle, which is ideal. What you don't want is a bye before week 7 or after week 12....those stretches start to get really long.

 

[Cincyfan78]

In talking about the schedule in the other thread - it got me thinking of how this season may play out (of course subject to change - the schedule never looks like it does once the lights actually come on).

First stretch: games 1 - 4: vs Cleve, vs Jax, @Minn, and @Denver: Thoughts...I think both the away games are going to be tough. Would not surprise me to split here. Cincinnati HAS to win games 1 and 2. No excuses. Everyone has admitted that not playing in the pre-season has led to sluggish starts and everyone seems to be on board with getting the reps needed to be ready week 1. I think they will this year. This stretch, IMO, comes out to 3-1, with them either dropping a game @Minn or @Denver...

Second mini-stretch: vs Detroit and @GB...Detroit will pose a problem for the defense...I honestly don't know what to make of GB, but being on the road there is always tough. Let's hope for the best here and split the games 1-1...taking the home game, dropping the road game.

That puts the Bengals at a very nice 4-2 heading into the 5 week stretch of VERY winnable games, and the bye week. Bengals have done their best work after the first month of the season. As the calendar turns from Sept to October, this unit (especially on offense) typically hits its stride...I'm going to go way out on a limb here...but the get into one of those patented Burrow/Bengal runs and reel off 5 straight here. That puts them at 9-2, and battling for the AFCN.

Then comes the BIG 3...@Bmore, @Buf, vsBmore...I think they drop the game at Bmore...but pull it out against Buff...Bengals/Burrow have had their number and would, likely, be 3-0 against them if not for the unfortunate situation on SNF...and will pull out the home win against Bmore...that would put them at 11-3, with a split over Bmore, a sweep of Pitt...and leading into the final stretch of the season:

@Miami, vs Arizona, vs Cleveland...It's hard to say - I like Miami, and they play very well at home, but do not play well against winning teams...also, lots of questions on health for Tua at this point, and that defense...Bengals win...I know nothing about Arizona...could they drop this? Maybe? I don't think they do...that leaves them at 13-3 and a home game against Cleveland...in which - could Sanders be starting by then? Will the AFCN be wrapped up by then? Will guys sit? Will they play? Toss-up at the moment...but if everyone plays, and there is a division to play for...very well could be another Bengals win....14-3.

Now, that is, likely, a bit overly optimistic. I admit. The defense needs sorted. Burrow has to stay healthy. Offensive line has to take a step forward with a rookie LG and fill-in at RG...Honestly, I see them dropping a game here and there...likely they will finish around 11/12 wins, I think...but if they can hit that 5 game stretch AND win a few early...that is where the big jump comes...everything else, I think plays out in a very similar fashion based on historical matchups over the past few years (and of course health).

 

[CrashDavisSports]

In talking about the schedule in the other thread - it got me thinking of how this season may play out (of course subject to change - the schedule never looks like it does once the lights actually come on).

First stretch: games 1 - 4: vs Cleve, vs Jax, @Minn, and @Denver: Thoughts...I think both the away games are going to be tough. Would not surprise me to split here. Cincinnati HAS to win games 1 and 2. No excuses. Everyone has admitted that not playing in the pre-season has led to sluggish starts and everyone seems to be on board with getting the reps needed to be ready week 1. I think they will this year. This stretch, IMO, comes out to 3-1, with them either dropping a game @Minn or @Denver...

Second mini-stretch: vs Detroit and @GB...Detroit will pose a problem for the defense...I honestly don't know what to make of GB, but being on the road there is always tough. Let's hope for the best here and split the games 1-1...taking the home game, dropping the road game.

That puts the Bengals at a very nice 4-2 heading into the 5 week stretch of VERY winnable games, and the bye week. Bengals have done their best work after the first month of the season. As the calendar turns from Sept to October, this unit (especially on offense) typically hits its stride...I'm going to go way out on a limb here...but the get into one of those patented Burrow/Bengal runs and reel off 5 straight here. That puts them at 9-2, and battling for the AFCN.

Then comes the BIG 3...@Bmore, @Buf, vsBmore...I think they drop the game at Bmore...but pull it out against Buff...Bengals/Burrow have had their number and would, likely, be 3-0 against them if not for the unfortunate situation on SNF...and will pull out the home win against Bmore...that would put them at 11-3, with a split over Bmore, a sweep of Pitt...and leading into the final stretch of the season:

@Miami, vs Arizona, vs Cleveland...It's hard to say - I like Miami, and they play very well at home, but do not play well against winning teams...also, lots of questions on health for Tua at this point, and that defense...Bengals win...I know nothing about Arizona...could they drop this? Maybe? I don't think they do...that leaves them at 13-3 and a home game against Cleveland...in which - could Sanders be starting by then? Will the AFCN be wrapped up by then? Will guys sit? Will they play? Toss-up at the moment...but if everyone plays, and there is a division to play for...very well could be another Bengals win....14-3.

Now, that is, likely, a bit overly optimistic. I admit. The defense needs sorted. Burrow has to stay healthy. Offensive line has to take a step forward with a rookie LG and fill-in at RG...Honestly, I see them dropping a game here and there...likely they will finish around 11/12 wins, I think...but if they can hit that 5 game stretch AND win a few early...that is where the big jump comes...everything else, I think plays out in a very similar fashion based on historical matchups over the past few years (and of course health).

Okay CincyGrad...you found a new board optimist, because I think Cincy78 is on crack. haha

 

[Cincyfan78]

Okay CincyGrad...you found a new board optimist, because I think Cincy78 is on crack. haha

That was self admitted pie in the sky...but also...many of these games, the Bengals absolutely should win.

Even if you give them a loss/slip up here and there...they are still looking at 11 wins, at the minimum...10 wins likely won't do it for the playoffs...so, it needs to be 11...and I think we all agree this should be a playoff team with Burrow and Chase, Higgins, Gesicki, etc...no reason this offense shouldn't put up similar numbers to last year, or even better if the defense can get just 1 or 2 more stops per game.

I think there is a lot of angst over the defense, and rightfully so - but I also think it's knee-jerked so far in the other direction that too many are thinking the defense needs to make this massive jump for the Bengals to compete...for a SB - maybe...but to win the AFCN/playoffs...it just needs to get back to league average, or even slightly below. Just can't be bottom 5-7.