Zac Taylor speaks about Cincinnati Bengals 2025 NFL draft picks video
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor speaks at a press conference after Bengals make all their picks for the 2025 NFL Draft.
Super Bowl expectations for the 2025 Cincinnati Bengals? Playoffs even? Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. First, can the Bengals win a season opener for the first time since 2021? All eyes should be on the first few weeks of the Bengals’ newly released schedule after Cincinnati has started 0-2 for three consecutive seasons.
Cincinnati’s season-opening loss to lowly New England ultimately cost them a playoff spot last season. And whether the Bengals will have a shot to exceed Vegas’ expectations could hinge on the season opener in Cleveland.
The over/under win total for the Bengals is 8.5, according to most sportsbooks. That seems like a fair projection based on the schedule, which the NFL released on Wednesday. Here are way-too-early game-by-game predictions:
Week 1: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., Sept. 7, FOX
Will the Bengals finally be ready to play in a season opener? Will they be coming off a training camp full of distractions surrounding Trey Hendrickson’s contract dispute? Will Hendrickson even play? The Browns are a mess, but they still have a solid defense. And maybe we’ll get a Shedeur Sanders-Joe Burrow matchup. The Bengals have too many questions right now to pick them. Pick: Browns 20, Bengals 17
Week 2: Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Sept. 14, CBS
The Jaguars were the league’s worst team defending the pass last year. They traded up to get Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, the WR/DB who should help Jacksonville improve. But Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins will be too much for the Jags to handle. Pick: Bengals 35, Jaguars 20
Week 3: Bengals at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Sept. 21, CBS
Minnesota is coming off a 14-win season, but an early playoff exit left the Vikings hungry to take the next step. The Vikings are a projected NFC playoff contender, and they’ll be out to prove it in this early season test. Pick: Vikings 24, Bengals 20
Week 4: Bengals at Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m., Sept. 29, ABC/ESPN Monday Night Football
The Broncos were one of the surprise teams in the AFC last year, and Sean Payton had them in playoff contention until the last week of the regular season. With Payton and quarterback Bo Nix settled into their second season in Denver, the Broncos could be poised to take another step. They’ll be ready to avenge their late-season overtime loss against the Bengals in 2024. Pick: Broncos 31, Bengals 28
Week 5: Bengals vs. Detroit Lions, 4:25 p.m., Oct. 5, FOX
Everyone will be talking about another slow start to the Bengals’ season. Their backs will be against the wall. National television against a media-darling opponent. Time for Joe and Ja’Marr to do their thing and lead the Bengals to a much-needed victory. Pick: Bengals 34, Lions 31
Week 6: Bengals at Green Bay Packers, 4:25 p.m., Oct. 12, CBS
The Bengals and Packers don’t play often, but when they do, it’s historically been a good game. The all-time series is tied 7-7, and the last six games dating to 1998 have been decided by a score. Expect another close game between teams fighting to get their playoffs hopes in order. Pick: Bengals 28, Packers 23
Week 7: Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m., Oct. 16, Prime Video Thursday Night Football
The Jungle will be rocking, as it always is for a primetime game. It’ll be a tough turnaround for the Bengals after the big win in Green Bay, but this game is made for Burrow. Pick: Bengals 24, Steelers 20
Week 8: Bengals vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m., Oct. 26, CBS
Tricky game here against an inferior opponent coming off three big victories. It’ll be a struggle for the Bengals, but the Jets will find a way to lose it. Pick: Bengals 21, Jets 17
Week 9: Bengals vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Nov. 2, CBS
The Bears put a major emphasis in the offseason on improving its offense around Caleb Williams. This will be a high-scoring game, but the Bengals keep rolling. Pick: Bengals 35, Bears 31
Week 10: ByeWeek 11: Bengals at Steelers, 1 p.m., Nov. 16, CBS
The weather’s getting cold, and that’s where the Steelers’ toughness kicks in, especially at home. Pittsburgh’s defensive line and running game are too much for the Bengals to handle. Pick: Steelers 21, Bengals 20
Week 12: Bengals vs. New England Patriots, 1 p.m., Nov. 23, CBS
By now, the Patriots will have fully bought into new coach Mike Vrabel’s hard-nosed style. New England will be better, but the Bengals will remember: The Pats are the team who embarrassed them in Week 1 last year. No way Burrow & Co. let that happen again at Paycor Stadium. Pick: Bengals 23, Patriots 12
Week 13: Bengals at Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m., Nov. 27, NBC Thursday Night Football
Gotta love an AFC North rivalry game on Thanksgiving Night. The Bengals will play a primetime game in Baltimore for the third consecutive season. No reason to believe the Bengals will fare any better. Pick: Ravens 35, Bengals 30
Week 14: Bengals at Buffalo Bills, 4:25 p.m., Dec. 7, FOX
The Bengals return to the site of one of their best wins in the Burrow era. Cincinnati was dominate in its last visit to Buffalo in the 2022 season, defeating the Bills by 17 points in the divisional playoff game in the snow. The Bengals essentially have been spinning their wheels ever since. Buffalo has gotten better. Great quarterback matchup made for TV. Pick: Bills 28, Bengals 27
Week 15: Bengals vs. Ravens, 1 p.m., Dec. 14, CBS
Cold weather and the season grind is setting. That’s when the Ravens can hand the ball off to Derrick Henry and have him win games. He’ll gash the Bengals’ defense as Baltimore sweeps the season series for the third consecutive season. Pick: Ravens 38, Bengals 34
Week 16: Bengals at Miami Dolphins, 8:20 p.m., Dec. 21, NBC Sunday Night Football
The grind of the AFC North and playing NFC North teams should prepare the Bengals to roll against a soft Dolphins team. Pick: Bengals 31, Dolphins 21
Week 17: Bengals vs. Arizona Cardinals, date and time TBD, TV network TBD
The Cardinals have one of the best, up-and-coming coaches in the NFL in Jonathan Gannon, who will be out to get his team to finish stronger and make a playoff push this season. Bengals fans may see this as easy win, but the Cardinals could be one of the surprise teams in the league this season. Pick: Cardinals 24, Bengals 21
Week 18: Bengals vs. Browns, date and time TBD, TV network TBD
Neither team will have anything to play for, but the Browns already rolled over weeks before this one. The Bengals will be looking to finish with a 9-8 record for the third consecutive season. Pick: Bengals 28, Browns 17
Bengals record prediction 2025
We’ve got the Bengals finishing the 2025 NFL season at 9-8.