The NFL is a weird, beautiful beast. One minute you’re looking at a last-place schedule and dreaming of a cakewalk, and the next, you’re staring down a gauntlet of elite quarterbacks and freezing road trips. Honestly, that’s exactly where we find ourselves with the Cincinnati Bengals schedule 2025.
People see that third-place finish from 2024 and think Joe Burrow is getting a "break."
That is a massive misconception.
While the Bengals won’t have the Kansas City Chiefs on the regular-season slate for the first time since Burrow’s rookie year in 2020, this path is anything but easy. It’s a schedule defined by high-stakes reunions, brutal outdoor travel, and a Thanksgiving date in Baltimore that will probably determine who owns the North.
The AFC North Meat Grinder and a Holiday in Baltimore
You already know the drill. Six games against the Ravens, Browns, and Steelers. It’s basically a legal fistfight twice a year. But the 2025 version has a different flavor.
The Bengals struggled badly in the division last year. A 1-5 record doesn't cut it. To fix that, they’ll have to handle a very specific challenge: Thursday, November 27.
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Yes, the Bengals are headed to Baltimore for Thanksgiving.
It’s an 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff on NBC. While you’re finishing your second plate of stuffing, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson will be trying to ruin each other's seasons. This is one of four prime-time games currently on the books. Playing in Baltimore is hard enough; doing it on a short week with the whole country watching is another level of pressure.
Bengals 2025 Home Opponents:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Chicago Bears
- Detroit Lions
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Arizona Cardinals
Bengals 2025 Away Opponents:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Buffalo Bills
- Green Bay Packers
- Miami Dolphins
- Minnesota Vikings
- Denver Broncos
Why the "Third Place" Schedule is a Myth
The NFL scheduling formula is math, not mercy. Because Cincinnati finished third in the AFC North, they drew the third-place finishers from the AFC South, AFC West, and NFC West.
That sounds great until you realize those teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, and Arizona Cardinals.
The Jaguars at home in Week 2 isn't exactly a "gimme." It's Burrow vs. Trevor Lawrence, a rematch of the 2021 thriller. Then there's the Week 17 matchup against Arizona. Most years, the Cardinals are a bit of an afterthought in the AFC, but in late December? Kyler Murray’s speed on the Paycor Stadium turf could be a headache if the Bengals are fighting for a playoff seed.
The LSU Reunion Bowl in Minnesota
If you aren't circling Week 3 on your calendar, you might not have a soul.
The Bengals travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings. It’s the Hall of Fame Bowl in spirit. You have the three pillars of that legendary 2019 LSU Tigers team all on one field: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Justin Jefferson.
Chase and Jefferson are currently 1-2 on the NFL’s all-time receiving list for yards per game. They are the best of friends and the fiercest of rivals. The last time they met, Chase got the win in overtime. Doing it again in the loud, indoor environment of U.S. Bank Stadium is going to be peak entertainment. Plus, the Bengals defenders like Dax Hill and DJ Turner II get to face their old college quarterback, J.J. McCarthy.
Survival on the Road: The "Frozen" Stretch
Look at the away list again. Buffalo. Green Bay. Minnesota. Denver.
That is a lot of cold.
The Bengals have three of their first four games on the road. If they start slow like they did in 2023 and 2024, the season could be over before the leaves change color. The trip to Lambeau Field in Week 6 (October 12) is manageable weather-wise, but heading to Buffalo on December 7?
That’s where seasons go to die.
Josh Allen in the snow is a different animal. The Bengals will need their revamped interior defense—led by the returning B.J. Hill and new addition T.J. Slaton Jr.—to hold up when the game becomes a ground-and-pound slog.
A Revamped Roster for a Brutal Slate
The schedule is only half the story. The team taking the field looks a bit different.
Sam Hubbard, the "Hubbard Yard" legend, has retired. That’s a massive leadership void. To compensate, the Bengals were aggressive in free agency. They brought back Samaje Perine on a two-year deal to help with pass protection—something they desperately missed last year.
They also secured the future of the offense by signing both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to new deals on the same day in March. Keeping that duo together for the 2025 season was the single most important "win" of the offseason.
Key Personnel Changes to Watch:
- Departures: Sam Hubbard (Retired), Alex Cappa (Released), Sheldon Rankins (Released), Joe Bachie (Colts).
- New Faces: T.J. Slaton Jr. (DT), Oren Burks (LB), Lucas Patrick (G), and rookie Dylan Fairchild (G).
- Re-signed: Mike Gesicki (3-year deal), Cody Ford, and B.J. Hill.
The offensive line is under the microscope again. Rookie Dylan Fairchild might be starting at guard from Day 1. If he can’t handle the interior pressure from guys like Myles Garrett in Week 1, Burrow’s jersey is going to get dirty very quickly.
The Critical Midseason Window
There is one stretch where the Bengals can—and must—make their move.
Between Week 7 and Week 10, they have a heavy home presence. They host Pittsburgh on a Thursday night (October 16), then the Jets, then the Bears. This leads right into a Week 9 bye.
If they aren’t at least 5-4 or 6-3 heading into that November break, the back half of the schedule (Ravens, Bills, Dolphins) will be a mountain too high to climb. The Bears game on November 2 is a sneaky "trap" game. Caleb Williams will have half a season of experience by then, and the Bengals' young secondary will be tested by Chicago's speed.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow the Bengals this year, don't just look at the wins and losses. Watch the travel.
The Week 1 opener in Cleveland is the 10th time they've opened against the Browns. It’s practically a tradition. But pay attention to the "17th game" against Arizona in Week 17. That game was added because of the 17-game season formula, and because both teams finished third in their respective divisions two years prior. It’s a late-season AFC/NFC crossover that could have huge implications for draft order or playoff seeding.
Next Steps for Following the Season:
- Track the Weather: If you're traveling to the Buffalo (Dec 7) or Green Bay (Oct 12) games, book refundable flights. Late-season lake effect snow in Orchard Park is no joke.
- Watch the Flex: Remember that Weeks 5–17 are eligible for "Flex Scheduling." That Sunday afternoon game against the Lions (Oct 5) or the Jets (Oct 26) could easily move to Sunday Night Football if both teams are hot.
- Monitor the O-Line: Keep an eye on the guard battle between Lucas Patrick and rookie Dylan Fairchild during the preseason. Whoever wins that job is responsible for keeping Joe Burrow upright against the AFC North's interior pass rushers.
The 2025 season isn't about the "easy" third-place schedule. It’s about whether this specific roster can finally win the close games that slipped away last year. With four prime-time spots and a Thanksgiving showcase, the world will be watching to see if "Who Dey" still has its bite.