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Bengals game-by-game predictions after 2024 NFL schedule release

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Bailey Bassett | Last updated 5/15/24

In 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals emerged as one of the best teams in the NFL and a team that could dominate for a long time. Led by a young quarterback by the name of Joe Burrow, the Bengals went to Super Bowl LVI. They improved the following season and won 12 games before being knocked out in the AFC Championship Game.

Last season, though, the Bengals took a step back, largely due to the season-ending injury that Burrow suffered in Week 11. Burrow is back now, and he will surely make the Bengals championship contenders again. Cincinnati has had an interesting offseason. They’ve made some big moves in free agency, but two of their best players – Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson – want out. Both stars have requested trades, and the Bengals’ season outlook can change drastically depending on whether or not those players are moved and for what.

The NFL just dropped the Bengals 2024 schedule. While it is impossible to predict their record, especially without knowing the fate of Higgins and Hendrickson, we decided to go game-by-game to predict every win and loss on the Bengals record.

Week 1 vs. New England Patriots

We are in a new era of Patriots football. Tom Brady left years ago, and Bill Belichick has finally followed suit. While the future is bright for New England because of their draft selection of Drake Maye, it could be a year or two before they are competitive. The team still lacks playmakers offensively and difference-makers defensively, so the Bengals should be able to handle arguably the greatest franchise in league history.

Win

Week 2 @ Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have won back-to-back championships, but people are quick to forget that Joe Burrow found lots of success against Patrick Mahomes’ squad early in his career. Burrow has found a way to beat the Chiefs in the past, and he can do it again. If Burrow can put up big numbers against the Chiefs, fans will question Kansas City’s decision to trade L’Jarius Sneed this offseason.

Win

Week 3 vs. Washington Commanders (Monday Night Football)

The Bengals will play three of the teams that drafted a quarterback in the first round this year. Of those teams, the Washington Commanders – now led by Jayden Daniels – probably have the best chance to get a win over Cincinnati. Perhaps one of the rookie quarterbacks bursts onto the scene like C.J. Stroud did last year, but usually, rookies struggle against great teams early in their careers. Even though Washington will likely be better than the Broncos and the Patriots, they aren’t much better, and the Bengals should add one to the win column in Week 3.

Win

Week 4 @ Carolina Panthers

The Panthers were the worst team in the NFL last year, and there is a good chance they will lay claim to that title again in 2024. No game is a sure win in the NFL, but the Panthers are as close to a guaranteed victory as there is on the Bengals’ schedule.

Win

Week 5 vs. Baltimore Ravens

Ravens vs. Bengals will be must-watch TV in 2024. Both teams have Super Bowl aspirations, and they will put it all on the line against each other. The battle to win the AFC North won’t be easy, but winning a game against Baltimore would certainly help the Bengals.

Win

Week 6 @ New York Giants (Sunday Night Football)

There is a lot to like about the Giants’ front seven, but the Bengals have done a good job of fixing their offensive line issues in recent seasons. Elsewhere, the Giants lack talent, so if Cincinnati’s offensive line holds up, they should have no problem dominating the Giants.

Win

Week 7 @ Cleveland Browns

The AFC North is arguably the best division in football, and every intra-divisional game will likely be a blood bath. The Browns and Bengals hate each other, and their games always tend to be physical. Both teams can play smash-mouth football, but it is Cincinnati’s skill level that will get them the win here.

Win

Week 8 vs. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles won’t be an easy team to beat. Like the Bengals, Philadelphia had a weird and disappointing season last year after entering the year primed to make a Super Bowl run. Philadelphia has had a better offseason, though, thanks to a great draft class and a number of free agent signings. Even so, the Joe Burrow-Ja’Marr Chase combination is one of the best in football, and it is hard to bet against them having a big game at home when the lights are bright.

Win

Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders

The NFL is a quarterback’s league. The Bengals have one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Joe Burrow, while the Raiders quarterback room is bleak, with the team choosing between Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell. The Week 9 game against the Raiders will illustrate how important having an elite quarterback truly is.

Win

Week 10 @ Baltimore Ravens (Thursday Night Football)

The Ravens have one of the best defenses in the league. If Tee Higgins is granted his trade request, the Bengals passing game will take a major hit, therefore making it harder to play Baltimore. Last season, we ranked Cincinnati in the top five best receiving corps in the league, but losing Higgins would really hurt. If he were traded, his loss would be evident against the Ravens.

Loss

Week 11 @ Los Angeles Chargers

Jim Harbaugh will bring a new identity to the Chargers. A team that has had all of the talent in the world for years always seemed to choke big games, but Los Angeles’ new coach will instill a new culture in the organization that will make it so they aren’t so easily walked over. Additionally, Justin Herbert is one of the few quarterbacks besides Joe Burrow who has a case for being the best quarterback not named Patrick Mahomes.

Loss

Week 12 BYE

Week 13 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

The AFC North is stacked with talent, competitive because of the rivalries, and often has games played in “football weather.” All of these factors lead to Cincinnati splitting the season series with all of their divisional opponents. The Bengals win in Week 13 at home, but they lose to the Steelers on the road.

Win

Week 14 @ Dallas Cowboys (Monday Night Football)

Despite the jokes people like to make about their lack of recent postseason success, the Cowboys do have a great team, and they have won a lot of games in the regular season recently. Traveling to Dallas and coming away with a win won’t be easy for the Bengals, so we predict a Week 14 loss.

Loss

Week 15 @ Tennessee Titans

The Bengals run defense wasn’t great last year, but the Titans lost Derrick Henry to the Ravens. Tony Pollard is his replacement, but he wasn’t as good last year as expected once given the reigns to be the Dallas Cowboys featured running back. The game against Tennessee will be a good test to see if the Bengals have improved at stopping the run, and having Trey Hendrickson still on the team would surely help.

Win

Week 16 vs. Cleveland Browns (Thursday Night Football)

We have the Bengals beating the Browns on the road but not at home, which may come as a surprise. The reason why is that great defenses often play just as well on the road as they do at home, whereas hostile environments definitely make it harder for opposing offenses. The Browns have a dominant defense, and they should play just as well on the road as they do at home. This Week 16 loss is Cincinnati’s only home loss in our game-by-game predictions.

Loss

vs. Denver Broncos

The Broncos moved on from a number of their veteran players this offseason, seemingly signaling that they are embracing a rebuild. Denver will be deploying a rookie quarterback in Bo Nix, and although he played five seasons collegiatly, his inexperience at the professional level will hurt him against a contending team like the Bengals.

Win

@ Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers have had a non-losing season for 20 straight years. A big reason why is because they know how to grind out games at home. Even if they are outmatched by the Bengals, Pittsburgh cannot be underestimated, and they will surely have a good game plan for slowing down Cincinnati.

Loss