The 2023 Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to make team history. If the Cincinnati Bengals record is good enough to win the AFC North, they can win three consecutive division titles for the first time in franchise history. Conducting a Bengals schedule analysis shows Cincinnati will again be in an excellent position to challenge for the championship.
While the path back to the playoffs won’t be easy, Cincinnati has shown consistency over the past two seasons that the other NFL teams in the division haven’t been able to. Baltimore finally settled its contract dispute with Lamar Jackson, but Pittsburgh and Cleveland will still need to see if their quarterback situations will work out. Here’s a look at the Cincinnati Bengals schedule.
Cincinnati Bengals Have No time to relax
The Cincinnati Bengals schedule won’t allow the two-time defending division champions to ease into the season. The Bengals, who are +110 to win the AFC North, will be challenged by two of their divisional rivals to open the season. Cincinnati will have to travel to Cleveland for its season opener.
The Bengals will also have to worry about playing Baltimore in Week 2. This will be an interesting stretch of games because this will be the first season have Deshaun Watson as their season-opening quarterback. If Cincinnati opens 2-0, it would be a sign of good things to come.
Long time to wait for revenge
NFL odds show the Bengals (+500) are tied for the second-best odds to win the AFC with Buffalo. Only defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City (+350) is more highly thought of in the conference. The Bengals will travel to Arrowhead Stadium to take on Kansas City Dec. 31.
Cincinnati and Kansas City have become one of the league’s hottest rivalries over the past few seasons. The two teams have met in the past two AFC title games, with each franchising claiming a victory over the other. If both teams are able to keep their quarterbacks healthy, the matchup between Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes to close out 2023 will be an interesting part of Bengals schedule analysis.
Closing with a flourish
Making a Bengals schedule analysis will show Cincinnati has a chance to close the schedule with momentum. The Bengals have four of their final five games at home. Two of the four games – against Minnesota and Kansas City – were playoff teams last season. Cincinnati has an over/under of 11.5 games.
If people making NFL picks are looking to see a team go over the total, the Bengals will need to finish the season with a strong run. Cincinnati had a strong run at home last season. The Bengals were 6-1 in Cincinnati and were leading the Bills when the Damar Hamlin injury happened.
The game against Buffalo was later canceled, leaving the Bengals one game short of the playoffs last season.
Cincinnati’s bye is relatively early
The Bengals will get six games in before they have a week off. Cincinnati will have three games on the road and home before its mandated week off.
What to expect for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023
Anyone watching Cincinnati Bengals games will see that they have become one of the more formidable franchises in the NFL. With an exciting offense and solid defense, the Bengals proved last season that their trip to the Super Bowl two seasons ago was no fluke. Cincinnati is once again primed to make waves in the AFC.
With a lot of the other teams in the North Division trying to adjust on the fly, the Bengals are poised to make another run at supremacy in the AFC. Cincinnati will find a way back to the playoffs and go over its win total.
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