The Cincinnati Bengals‘ 2021 schedule is set to be released on Wednesday night. Before we know how the 2021 season will look, let’s glance at the five most difficult matchups on tap for the Bengals this year.
The Bengals are tied for the sixth-toughest schedule in the NFL this year and that’s to be expected considering they’re in a division with the Browns, Ravens, and Steelers, all of whom made the playoffs a season ago. The Bengals also face the NFC North this year, which gives them another two playoff teams on their schedule.
Who are the most difficult opponents that Cincinnati will face in 2021? Let’s take a look.
Most Difficult Matchups on Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule
No. 5 – Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers got off to a roaring 11-0 start last season only to narrowly win the division and then get their butts handed to them in the playoffs by the Browns, of all teams. Pittsburgh isn’t getting much respect this offseason due to the resurgence of the Browns and the fact that the Ravens look to be a better team this year too but I know better than to count the Steelers out.
This is an organization that time and time again has proven people wrong when they try to count them out. They’ve had three coaches since 1969 and the level of consistency the Steelers have had should make any organization jealous.
Throw in the fact that the Steelers have owned the Bengals in their rivalry (Steelers lead 67-36) and this is another reason to always have Pittsburgh on this list. Even in their down years, they still can run with the Bengals.
Cincinnati finally ended the brutal 11-game losing streak to the Steelers this past season (and did it without their starting quarterback nonetheless), which should hopefully prove to them that yes, they can beat the big, bad Steelers.
One of these matchups could appear in primetime, as the two will face off twice in 2021.