Here’s a game by game prediction of how the Bengals season will go
The Cincinnati Bengals’ season took a massive turn for the worse when franchise quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a toe injury in the second week of the season which required surgery (Sept. 19). Burrow was expected to miss at least three months with the injury, and the Bengals have yet to share his potential timeline for return. It’s unclear if he’ll play again this season.
Cincinnati’s record at the time he is cleared to play will factor into the final decision. It’s hard to predict many more wins for the Bengals (3-6) with the way they’re playing defense. The Bengals again have the league’s worst defense, and there haven’t been signs it could get better.
How the Bengals finish the rest of the season coming out of the bye will likely determine if team owner Mike Brown decides to make any drastic decisions as it pertains to head coach Zac Taylor and director of personnel Duke Tobin’s job status following the season.
Here’s a game-by-game prediction of how the rest of the season will go for the Bengals.
Week 11: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (5-3)
Pittsburgh is in first place in the AFC North, with a two-game lead over Baltimore. The Bengals beat the Steelers in October, and it essentially kept their season from going up in flames. This matchup is even more critical for the Bengals to stay alive in the division with the Ravens (3-5) now catching some momentum. However, the Bengals have swept the Steelers just once since 2009 (that was in 2021), and it’s hard to envision head coach Mike Tomlin letting his team lose a second time this season to Joe Flacco.
Steelers 27, Bengals 21
Week 12: New England Patriots (7-2) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
New England head coach Mike Vrabel is one of the leading candidates to be considered for Coach of the Year with the job he’s doing in his first season with the Patriots. Not only is his team leading the AFC East by a half game over Buffalo, but it also looks like a contender for years to come with Drake Maye at quarterback. The physicality with which the Patriots play with will overpower the Bengals.
Patriots 35, Bengals 25
Week 13: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (3-5)
The Thanksgiving nightcap won’t end well for the Bengals. Cincinnati hasn’t won in Baltimore since 2021, and the crowd at M&T Bank will make it even more challenging for the Bengals to win on the road. The Ravens have won two in a row, outscoring Chicago and Miami a combined 58-22. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is 10-2 against the Bengals and given the Bengals’ defensive issues this year, it’s hard to envision a win for the Cincinnati.
Ravens 44, Bengals 23
Week 14: Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills (6-2)
As the calendar turns to December, the Bengals will be riding a three-game losing streak following the bye as they head to Buffalo, which is a half game behind New England in the AFC East. The Bengals certainly have the Bills number recently, but this year without Joe Burrow it’s a different story.
Bills 37, Bengals 27
Week 15: Baltimore Ravens (3-5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals
It feels like every time the Bengals and Ravens square off, something weird happens at the end. Cincinnati takes advantage of Baltimore’s turnovers and wins a much-needed game at home.
Bengals 31, Ravens 28
Week 16: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (2-7)
The Bengals will win this game because of their two wide receivers. Miami could be without its head coach at this point in the season, and players could be less engaged. This win could open the door to conversations about whether Joe Burrow should return this season or not.
Bengals 33, Dolphins 19
Week 17: Arizona Cardinals (3-5) at Cincinnati Bengals
It’s hard to figure out who the Cardinals are as a team. They’ve played some of the best teams in the NFL close but sit at the bottom of the NFC West because they haven’t been able to finish games. Quarterback Kyler Murray usually presents challenges the Bengals’ defense has trouble handling, but he was put on the injured list prior to Week 10. It’s unclear if he or Jacoby Brissett would start at QB against the Bengals.
Cardinals 30, Bengals 21
Week 18: Cleveland Browns (2-6) at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals’ season started with a win in Cleveland and will end with a win over the Browns. Cleveland’s quarterback play is a mess and the Bengals have proven they can score points with Flacco, if Burrow doesn’t return this season. Flacco will be looking for revenge against the team that traded him.
Bengals 21, Browns 14
Bengals final record: 6-11, team misses the playoffs for the third straight year
