CINCINNATI — The Bengals better be ready to start fast. Their 2025 schedule leaves them little choice to answer the bell early.
The Bengals will open the season in Cleveland for the second time in three seasons. That will be followed with their home opener in Week 2 against Jacksonville. After that the Bengals play at Minnesota the following Sunday and then at Denver on Monday night, Sept. 29.
After a home game against Detroit, the Bengals then travel to Green Bay. That’s four roadies in six games to open 2025.
The Bengals have been abysmal in their first two weeks under Zac Taylor, going 1-11. They’ve heard all about that narrative. Opening strong against that gauntlet would silence of lot of their critics. But forget the past, the Bengals could go a long way in convincing themselves they are ready for a title run by opening strong against four straight playoff teams, including three on the road in the first six weeks.
As for primetime, the Bengals will face two AFC North Division rivals under the lights, beginning with a Thursday Night Football clash against Pittsburgh at Paycor Stadium on Oct. 16 (8:15 p.m. on Prime Video).
The Bengals also will travel to Baltimore for a Thanksgiving night game against the Ravens on Thursday, Nov. 27 (8:20 p.m. on NBC). It will mark the second time in team history Cincinnati plays on Thanksgiving, with the last instance coming in the 2010 season, a 26-10 road loss against the Jets at MetLife Stadium.
The Bengals other primetime games include Monday Night Football at Denver on Sept. 29 (8:15 p.m. on ABC) and Sunday Night Football at Miami on Dec. 21 (8:20 p.m. on NBC).
Additionally, the Bengals will take on a pair of NFC North Division opponents in the widely televised 4:25 p.m. Sunday time slot in back-to-back weeks, as they host Detroit on Oct. 5 (FOX), then travel to face Green Bay on Oct. 12 (CBS). Cincinnati also will play at Buffalo in a 4:25 p.m. matchup on Sunday, Dec. 7 (FOX).
For the second time in three seasons, the “Battle of Ohio” will bookend Cincinnati’s schedule. The Bengals will kick off the regular season at Cleveland on Sunday, Sept. 7 (1 p.m. on FOX), marking the 10th time in team history they play their in-state rival in a season opener. Cincinnati then will close out its schedule against the Browns in Week 18 at Paycor Stadium (date/time TBD).
Not scared off by the disastrous 16-10 loss to the lowly Patriots in the 2024 opener, the Bengals will bring back “Open in Orange” at Paycor Stadium against Jacksonville on Sunday, Sept. 14 (1 p.m. on CBS), with fans encouraged to wear all orange for Cincinnati’s home opener.
The Bengals preseason schedule also has been finalized. Cincinnati will travel for its first two preseason games — at Philadelphia on Thursday, Aug, 7 at 7:30 p.m., and at Washington on Monday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m. The Bengals then wrap up their preseason schedule with a home contest against Indianapolis on Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. The games against the Eagles and Colts both will be broadcast on the Bengals Preseason TV Network, while the Commanders matchup will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Single game tickets for all 10 Bengals home games are on sale now. Season ticket waitlist deposits also are available. Fans interested in purchasing tickets should visit bengals.com/tickets.
PRESEASON
Thursday, Aug. 7, at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., Bengals Preseason TV Network
Mon., Aug. 18, at Washington, 8 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Aug. 23, INDIANAPOLIS, 1 p.m., Bengals Preseason TV Network
REGULAR SEASON
Sun., Sept. 7, at Cleveland, 1 p.m., FOX
Sun., Sept. 14, JACKSONVILLE, 1 p.m., CBS
Sun., Sept. 21, at Minnesota, 1 p.m., CBS
Mon., Sept. 29, at Denver, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
Sun., Oct. 5, DETROIT*, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Sun., Oct. 12, at Green Bay*, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Thu., Oct. 16, PITTSBURGH, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Sun., Oct. 26, N.Y. JETS*, 1 p.m., CBS
Sun., Nov. 2, CHICAGO*, 1 p.m., CBS
Sun., Nov. 9, — BYE —
Sun., Nov. 16, at Pittsburgh*, 1 p.m., CBS
Sun., Nov. 23, NEW ENGLAND*, 1 p.m. CBS
Thu., Nov. 27, at Baltimore, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Sun., Dec. 7, at Buffalo*, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Sun., Dec. 14, BALTIMORE*, 1 p.m., CBS
Sun., Dec. 21, at Miami*, 8:20 p.m., NBC
(day/date TBD), ARIZONA, (time TBD), (TV network TBD)
(day/date TBD), CLEVELAND, (time TBD), (TV network TBD)
