The Cincinnati Bengals are reeling a little bit from Week 3's loss in Pittsburgh, mainly because the defense outside of Dexter Lawrence looked like the sieves of years past. But fear not, Who Dey Nation: better days are on the way.
Or so I think. And so Sexy Dexy thinks. He's adamant that Sunday's Steelers tire fire was a one-off and that the Bengals will prepare like champs, starting with Week 4's highly anticipated home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Wild to think the Jags lost in Cincy in Week 2 last season to Jake Browning once Joe Burrow suffered that turf toe injury, only to go on to win 13 games and the AFC South crown. Meanwhile, the Bengals won only four of their next 15 contests.
Anyway, we've got four games until a big change-up to the Bengals' schedule in Week 9, when they travel to Madrid to take on the suddenly frisky-looking Atlanta Falcons. Seems a good time to check in and drop some new predictions on how this pivotal stretch of the schedule will play out, especially now that the AFC North is deadlocked at 2-1.
Predictions for 2026 Cincinnati Bengals pre-Madrid schedule suggest big rally from Week 3 loss to Steelers
Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Aaron Rodgers carved up the Bengals secondary. I'm prepared for Trevor Lawrence to do much of the same, especially with safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger banged up.
Lawrence just has so many weapons between Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr. and whenever Travis Hunter plays offense. Plus, Cincinnati's run defense was a horror show against Jaylen Warren. Jags tailback Bhayshul Tuten is uber-explosive and could capitalize if the Bengals bring another sloppy tackling effort in Week 4.
Okay Bhayshul Tuten! pic.twitter.com/EdckNRzz7P
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) September 22, 2026
Joe Burrow and the offense should continue to light up the scoreboard. I just need to see more from the defense to blindly assume they can stop such a loaded offensive skill group as Jacksonville's, complemented by one of the sport's elite play-calling head coaches in Liam Coen.
Can you hear the calls for Zac Taylor's job off in the distance? Ruh-roh!
Prediction: Jaguars 34, Bengals 30
Week 5 at Miami Dolphins
I was overly arrogant about the Bengals waltzing into Pittsburgh and beating the brakes off the Steelers. I will be just as arrogant about Week 5's pre-bye road trip to Miami and not think twice about it despite how badly the AFC North opener burned me.
As someone who covers the Dolphins pretty extensively over at Phin Phanatic, this is a completely talent-depleted team in a brutal rebuild. They haven't had a single sack in three games.
If you give Burrow that type of time to scan the field and deliver the ball to Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and the other myriad pass-catchers at Joe Shiesty's disposal, it's gonna be a long afternoon. Oh, and De'Von Achane is out for the season, so Miami's most lethal playmaker is no longer a factor.
Prediction: Bengals 41, Dolphins 14
Week 7 at Baltimore Ravens
Nobody will know what to make of the Bengals when they head into Baltimore. In my imagined scenario, they'll have lost to their last two decent-quality opponents, but the Week 6 bye gives them extra time to prepare for the Ravens' new-look schemes under head coach Jesse Minter.
Baltimore's defense got torched pretty good by the Cowboys in Week 3. I don't see why the Bengals can't do similar damage.
My big concern is obviously the Ravens' rushing attack. However, Dexter Lawrence lining up opposite shaky center Jovaughn Gwyn and a suspect interior o-line should somewhat diminish Baltimore's typical prohibitive advantage of that Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry duo.
Gwyn is by far PFF's worst pass blocking center with a laughable 19.2 grade. Lawrence should absolutely work him all afternoon and get into his head. That may be enough for Cincinnati to steal this one on the road and leave ex-Bengal Trey Hendrickson salty that he didn't beat his former team on his new home turf.
Oh, and Zac Taylor is officially off the hot seat! Yay!
Prediction: Bengals 31, Ravens 24
Week 8 vs. Tennessee Titans
Do we really need to spend a lot of time here? The only problem could be that this is a trap game, but is anyone scared of the Titans? They're terrible. Their roster isn't good. Cam Ward isn't a good quarterback. What else is there to say?
It will never make sense to me why Robert Saleh, free from Jets/Zach Wilson purgatory and crushing it as 49ers defensive coordinator last season whilst dealing with so many injuries, would pick the Titans. What on Earth was it about that job, other than money, that made him go, "Gosh I have to take it!"
Looks like an utterly disastrous decision. Saleh is going to feel that pain just about every single Sunday this season, including on November 1 at Paycor Stadium when his squad gets blown off the field by four touchdowns.
Prediction: Bengals 38, Titans 10
Thus, all told, I project that the Bengals fly off to Madrid with a 5-2 record, avoid a 0-2 start in the division, and set themselves up for an awesome international excursion that should yield a fourth straight victory. Or at least Cincinnati should be the heavy favorite.
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