Bengals Week 1-17 Predictions: Season at a Glance
By Gary Pence
Can the Bengals be a playoff team this season? Here is a quick glimpse on how the season will play out, with game by game predictions.
Cincinnati @ Indianapolis
The talk going into this game will be all about Andrew Luck. This is Andrew Luck’s first game in over a year. However, the talk around the league after the game will be all about the defensive line. The unit will be all over Andrew Luck from the first snap of the game until the last.
Bengals: 27, Colts 10
Record: 1-0
Baltimore @ Cincinnati
It must have been a long offseason in Baltimore knowing they were one play away from the playoffs. They will have added motivation going into this game to make up for last year. However, if they weren’t able to beat last year’s version of the Bengals, they are not going to beat them this year. Andy Dalton goes out and plays one of the best primetime games of his career in this one.
Bengals 30, Ravens 13
Record: 2-0
Cincinnati @ Carolina
The last time these two teams met it ended in a dreaded tie after Mike Nugent missed the game winning field goal. There won’t be a tie this time, and the Bengals’ stifling defense continues its hot start to the season by holding its third straight opponent to under 17 points.
Bengals 24, Panthers 17
Record: 3-0
Cincinnati @ Atlanta
Cincinnati gets to see old friend Mohamed Sanu in this game. The defense does a decent job in this game, but the offense struggles and keeps the defense on the field too long. This allows Julio Jones to end up having a big game, and the Falcons dole out the Bengals’ first defeat of the season.
Falcons 24. Bengals 10
Record: 3-1
Miami @ Cincinnati
The team finally comes back home after playing 3 out of their first 4 on the road. While playing in front of a half empty stadium, the offense comes out and has a huge day after struggling in Atlanta. Joe Mixon goes over 100 yards rushing for the first time this season.
Bengals 34, Dolphins 13
Record: 4-1
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati
The Steelers come to town and pack the stadium with many of their fans; With many yellow terrible towels waving in the stadium, the Bengals pull out a last second field goal to pull out the win that gets people in this city to start believing in this team.
Bengals 20, Steelers 17
Record: 5-1
Cincinnati @ Kansas City
After getting a huge win against the hated Steelers, the team comes out and suffer their annual letdown game. The offense struggles in this one, and the defense allows Mahomes to have a big game.
Chiefs 27, Bengals 13
Record: 5-2
Tampa Bay @ Cincinnati
Cincinnati jumps on Tampa Bay early off a hot start by Andy Dalton. The defense takes advantage of the early lead, and the defensive line pins its ears back and has a huge day getting 6 sacks and 2 interceptions on the day.
Bengals 31, Buccaneers 9
Record: 6-2
New Orleans @ Cincinnati
Drew Brees and the red-hot Saints visit Cincinnati in a game that was moved to 4 o’clock to be on national TV. The defense catches the spotlight as they hold the high-powered Saints offense in check. Andy Dalton finds John Ross on two deep touchdowns.
Bengals 27, Saints 17
Record: 7-2
Cincinnati @ Baltimore
The Bengals head back to Baltimore and pick up where they left off last year. Tyler Boyd scores another touchdown and John Ross continues his impressive play with a few more big plays in this one. The defense continues to frustrate Joe Flacco, and Lamar Jackson makes an appearance in the 4th quarter.
Bengals 23, Ravens 13
Record: 8-2
Cleveland @ Cincinnati
Surprising Cleveland comes to town with a 5-5 record looking to try to stay in the playoff hunt. Baker Mayfield is now the starter and has a big day, and the team fails to show up in this one, losing a tough one to the Browns
Browns 23, Bengals 20
Record: 8-3
Denver @ Cincinnati
Denver comes to Cincinnati trying to avenge last year’s loss. The offense attacks old friend Adam “Pacman” Jones early and often and hit a few big plays. The Bengals running game gets going in the second half as the offense is able to grind out the clock.
Bengals 20, Broncos 17
Record: 9-3
Cincinnati @ San Diego
Cincinnati takes their longest trip of the season, and it shows. The offense comes out sluggish and turnover prone, thus putting the defense in tough situations that they can’t get out of. San Diego gets a big win to stay in the wild card hunt.
Chargers 20, Bengals 10
Record: 9-4
Oakland @ Cincinnati
Jon Gruden makes his return with the Bengals’ former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther. The offense rips through Paul Guenther’s conservative defense and have a huge day in the air and on the ground. Dalton throws for over 300 yards, while Mixon runs for over 100 yards.
Bengals 30, Raiders 14
Record: 10-4
Cincinnati @ Cleveland
Cincinnati needs this win to clinch the division after losing the first one to the Browns. The Browns have fallen out of the wild card race and sit at 6 wins. The game is close at halftime, but the running game continues its strong play at the end of the season. The team grinds out a tough, physical win.
Bengals 20
Browns 13
Bengals record 11-4
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh
The Bengals have already won the division, but need this one to secure the 2 seed in the AFC with a first round bye. The Steelers need this win to make the playoffs as a wild card. Andy Dalton and the offense struggle right away and can never get on track. Big Ben and the Steelers offense do just enough to win this one. With the Steelers winning, it leads to a rematch in first round of the playoffs, with Pittsburgh coming to Cincinnati.
Steelers 16, Bengals 10
Record: 11-5
Next. 3 Hot Takes for the Bengals. dark
It’s going to be an exciting season here in Cincinnati. The Bengals are going to go out and prove a lot of people wrong and win the division. Now the biggest question is once they are in the playoffs, can they get a win and make a run? That is a question I don’t think anyone can answer until they go out and prove it. However, they will get their chance again this year, and it will once again be against the hated Steelers.