Just released from NFL.com
CINCINNATI BENGALS REGULAR SEASON
1) at New England Patriots – Sept. 12 at 1 p.m.
2) vs. Baltimore Ravens – Sept. 19 at 1 p.m.
3) at Carolina Panthers – Sept. 26 at 1 p.m.
4) at Cleveland Browns – Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.
5) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Oct. 10 at 1 p.m.
6) BYE
7) at Atlanta Falcons – Oct. 24 at 1 p.m.
8.) vs. Miami Dolphins – Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.
9) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – Nov. 8 at 8:30 p.m. (MNF)
10) at Indianapolis Colts – Nov. 14 at 1 p.m.
11) vs. Buffalo Bills – Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.
12) at New York Jets – Nov. 25 at 8:20 p.m. (Thanksgiving)
13) vs. New Orleans Saints – Dec. 5 at 1 p.m.
14) at Pittsburgh Steelers – Dec. 12 at 1 p.m.
15) vs. Cleveland Browns – Dec. 19 at 1 p.m.
16) vs. San Diego Chargers – Dec. 26 at 8:20 p.m. (Sunday night – NBC)
17) at Baltimore Ravens – Jan. 2 at 1 p.m.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Obviously, opening at New England is tough. It is like beginning the World Cup with England. The game also should be featured as CBS’ marque matchup. Other CBS opening weekend games are pretty terrible except for the Colts at Texans matchup.
It doesn’t get any easier in Week 2 when the Bengals will have their home opener against the Baltimore Ravens. The game should again be a CBS’ nationally televised game. The network’s second week slate doesn’t feature a better game than the Bengals/Ravens. The only competitor would be the Titans at Steelers game, however Pittsburgh will likely be without Big Ben so that game will likely be sloppy.
If the Bengals can win one of its first two games, they should be in good shape heading into the bye. First they are on the road two straight weeks at Carolina and at Cleveland. Then Cincinnati will host Tampa Bay. The Bengals could win all three games and could likely have a winning record heading into its Oct. 24 game at Atlanta.
The game in the ATL should also be CBS’ featured 1 p.m. game, which will likely be followed by the Patriots at Chargers at 4:15 p.m. It also should be a good opportunity for Cincinnati fans to take a road trip down I-75.
Before playing at home on Monday Night Football Nov. 8 against Pittsburgh, the Bengals will face Miami at home. This won’t be an easy two-game stretch, but it helps that both games are at home.
The following week will be at the 2009 AFC Champions Colts. This will be another game that will likely be the featured game on CBS. It should also go a long way to determining how good this Bengals team is going to be.
Following the Colts, Cincinnati appears to have a quick break with a home game against Buffalo. After that, the Bengals will play at the New York Jets on Thanksgiving night. Here’s hoping that the Bengals finally wear their throwback uniforms. The game will also be a huge game, considering the Bengals ‘09 season ended with a loss to the Jets. It will also be cool to see the last two teams to appear on HBO’s Hard Knocks go against each other (Jets are scheduled to be on the show this summer).
Then there will be a tremendously tough two-game stretch, on the road against Pittsburgh and at home against New Orleans. Depending on the Bengals’ record at this point, both games could be followed closely by the national media.
Then Cincinnati finishes its season at home against San Diego and at Baltimore. Before those matchups, the Bengals will play Cleveland. If Cincinnati can get through this difficult schedule then those last two games against the Chargers and Ravens will likely decide if they are going to make the playoffs.
Would like to end with a quick recap. This schedule is obviously difficult. The journey to the playoffs will be challenging. However, once and if the Bengals get there, they will be able ready to play with the big boys.
