Coming off a groundbreaking season that saw the Cincinnati Bengals establish themselves as one of the dominant forces in the AFC, there’s a lot of anticipation surrounding their 2023 campaign. Headlined by the dynamic duo of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, the Bengals have given their fanbase plenty of reasons to be hopeful. With the offseason changes, this year’s squad is primed for another strong run. This article will cover the full Cincinnati Bengals 2023 schedule, including their prime time games, strength of schedule, and a prediction for the season outcome.
Cincinnati Bengals Schedule 2023
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 10 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 2 | September 17 | Kansas City Chiefs | 4:25 PM EST | CBS |
| 3 | September 24 | Cleveland Browns | 8:20 PM EST | NBC |
| 4 | October 1 | Miami Dolphins | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 5 | October 8 | Buffalo Bills | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 6 | October 15 | BYE WEEK | – | – |
| 7 | October 22 | New England Patriots | 4:25 PM EST | CBS |
| 8 | October 29 | Baltimore Ravens | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 9 | November 5 | New York Jets | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 10 | November 12 | Denver Broncos | 4:05 PM EST | CBS |
| 11 | November 19 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 12 | November 26 | Houston Texans | 8:20 PM EST | NBC |
| 13 | December 3 | Indianapolis Colts | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 14 | December 10 | Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM EST | ESPN |
| 15 | December 17 | Baltimore Ravens | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 16 | December 24 | Cleveland Browns | 8:20 PM EST | NBC |
| 17 | December 31 | Tennessee Titans | 1 PM EST | CBS |
| 18 | January 7 | Denver Broncos | 1 PM EST | CBS |
Strength of Schedule
Based on last season’s win-loss records, the Bengals have one of the tougher schedules in the NFL. They will face off against several playoff teams from last year, including the Chiefs, the Bills, and the Browns. They will also have to navigate their way through their division, which is always challenging due to their rivalries with the Steelers, Browns, and Ravens.
Prime Time Games
Bengals vs. Browns (Week 3)
The Bengals will face off with their Ohio rivals, the Cleveland Browns, on Sunday Night Football in Week 3. This early season matchup will be a litmus test for both teams as they seek to establish dominance in the AFC North.
Bengals vs. Texans (Week 12)
In Week 12, the Bengals will host the Houston Texans for a Saturday night showdown. With both teams featuring young, exciting quarterbacks, this promises to be a high-scoring affair.
Bengals vs. Chiefs (Week 14)
Perhaps the most anticipated game on the Bengals’ schedule, they will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 14. This game could have major implications on the AFC playoff picture and will be a stern test for the Bengals’ revamped defense.
Predicted Season Outcome
Given the strength of their schedule and the progression of their young, talented core, the Bengals are poised for another strong season. If Joe Burrow can continue his upward trajectory and the defense can hold its own against some of the top offenses in the league, it’s not unrealistic to expect another playoff appearance for the Bengals. Predicting the exact record is difficult due to the variables at play, but a 10-7 or 11-6 season seems within reach.
Conclusion
With a challenging schedule and high expectations, the 2023 season promises to be an exciting one for the Cincinnati Bengals. Led by a star quarterback in Joe Burrow and a talented supporting cast, the Bengals are poised to make noise in the AFC once again. All eyes will be on Cincinnati as they navigate through their schedule in pursuit of a playoff spot and, ultimately, a Super Bowl berth.
FAQS
The Cincinnati Bengals kick off their 2023 campaign against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 10, with the game starting at 1 PM Eastern Standard Time. The game will be televised on CBS.
The Bengals have three prime time games scheduled for the 2023 season. They play the Cleveland Browns in Week 3 on Sunday Night Football, host the Houston Texans in Week 12 for a Saturday night game, and they will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 14.
The Bengals are part of the AFC North division, so they will face the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens twice each during the 2023 season.