Assuming the Cincinnati Bengals don’t trade Tee Higgins, they are entering another season in hopes of their star trio not getting injured at the same time. Both Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow have also dealt with significant injuries, as that will be the crux of whether or not this team can even make the playoffs in 2024.
Their offensive line and defense have also been a problem recently, but the Bengals do benefit from their schedule in a competitive AFC North, which has been the toughest division in the NFL as of late.
Injuries aside, I can see Cincinnati making a playoff berth again, but that is taking into account their stars remaining healthy for enough time all at once.
Cincinnati Bengals: Easiest Stretch
The 2024 schedule for the Cincinnati Bengals has the makings of a winning season. Their home opener in Week 1 is against the New England Patriots. Cincinnati has a Week 3 tilt against the Washington Commanders in primetime, and an away game in Carolina at Bank of America Stadium against the Panthers the week after in Week 4.
To end the season, the Bengals also have matchups against the Titans in Tennessee at Nissan Stadium in Week 15, a Week 17 game at Paycor Stadium vs. Denver Broncos, and a division game to end the year in Pittsburgh against the Steelers at Acrisure Stadium Week 18. I would say they would be favored in most, if not all the games mentioned.
Cincinnati Bengals: Toughest Stretch
Other than Week 2 in Kansas City against the Super Bowl-winning Chiefs, the Cincinnati Bengals have their hard part in the middle of their 2024 schedule. Four games before their Week 12 bye week I would say is the hardest stretch for them, as winning two or three games would be a successful outcome.
Week 8, the Philadelphia Eagles visit Cincinnati, and for Week 9, the Las Vegas Raiders play them at home as well. In week 10, the Bengals play their second game against the Ravens for primetime in Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium to then travel to Los Angeles to play the Chargers at SoFi Stadium in Week 11.
Cincinnati Bengals: Important Games
Ultimately, the division games are the ones the Cincinnati Bengals will have to split or outright win. When their offensive line was poor, some of those games were tough to watch as Burrow took a beating. It has also gone the other way, with explosive offensive firepower at its finest when both Chase and Higgins with the star quarterback are on the field.
Their away primetime games in Week 6 in Metlife against the New York Giants and in Dallas against the Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Week 14 will be ones to watch. In Week 16, the Bengals have a primetime outing against the Browns, and that might have some divisional playoff implications that late into the year.
About the Author
Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview and uSports, The Crafty Kit, The Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
Now writing for Total Apex, mostly sports like the NFL, college football, the NFL draft, and fantasy football, along with covering my favorite team, the Baltimore Ravens. Also writing for Total Apex E&G about my favorite movies, shows, anime, and sometimes gaming.
You can follow me on Instagram @kimandrew1357, on YouTube @andrewkim1357, and on Twitter (aka X) @kookykim1357.
For More Great Content
Check out all the great content Total Apex Sports has to offer. Check us out on X @TotalApexSports and our other sites: Total Apex Sports Bets and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.