The Cincinnati Bengals schedule is here, so we’re looking at the five games we are most looking forward to in the 2026 NFL season.
5. Week 1 vs. Tampa Buccaneers
This is an easy one. Week 1 is the start of the season. Everyone is as optimistic as possible. We finally get to see what this team actually looks like on the field. The Bucs aren’t exactly notable rivals, but every Bengals fan is very familiar with Baker Mayfield, who has found a second life in Tampa Bay after being given his walking papers following the DeShaun Watson
trade with the Browns.
4. Week 9 at Atlanta Falcons (Madrid, Spain)
You could argue this as No. 1. It has been a very long time since the Bengals played out of the country. The last two times were in England. They tied Washington in 2016 and got beaten up by the Los Angeles Rams in 2019.
That was before they had a true face of the NFL in Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. This is their chance to show some fireworks to the folks of Spain. The team will also face off against former safety Jessie Bates in that game.
3. Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
This will be the second meeting between the Steelers and Bengals this season. More importantly, it will be the first primetime game of the year as they meet on Sunday Night Football. AFC North matchups at the midpoint of the year always feel like they start to matter way more.
2. Week 14 vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This has become an unofficial rivalry. The games are always close. They have also played in two AFC Championships. It has been a while since the meeting between these two has meant that much, though.
Still, Patrick Mahomes should be healthy by then. That means a Mahomes vs. Joe Burrow matchup could be set up. That always makes for a great game, seeing those guys go back and forth. It will also be the first time since 2022 that the game will be in Cincinnati.
1. Week 16 vs. Baltimore Ravens (New Year’s Eve)
Similar to last season, the Bengals and Ravens meet on a holiday. Except this time, IT IS ACTUALLY IN CINCINNATI.
Sorry to capitalize all that, but the Bengals and Ravens primetime games have all been in Baltimore for four straight seasons. One of the wildest things, which showed so many NFL fans how favored the Ravens have been having so many primetime games at home over the last few years.
This is Week 16, though. It is on New Year’s Eve. And if both teams have the seasons they are expecting, this could have serious postseason implications. You couldn’t want anything more (FINALLY IN CINCINNATI).
What do you think will be the best game on the 2026 Bengals schedule? Sound off in the comments section!
