If you just woke up and the first thing you did was grab your phone to check what time does the Cincinnati Bengals play today, I have some news. It isn't exactly the news you probably want to hear if you were planning on tailgating at Paycor Stadium or ordering a massive plate of Skyline Chili for a 1:00 PM kickoff.
The Bengals are not playing today, January 15, 2026.
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Honestly, the "Who Dey" nation is in a bit of a weird spot right now. We are currently sitting in that awkward gap in the NFL calendar where the regular season has wrapped up, the Wild Card round just finished, and the Divisional Round hasn't started yet. Today is a Thursday. While the NFL loves a good primetime Thursday night game, they don't actually schedule playoff games for Thursdays.
The Bengals 2026 Offseason Reality
The truth is a little tougher than just a day off. Cincinnati’s 2025-26 season ended earlier than most of us hoped. After a Week 18 loss to the Cleveland Browns back on January 4th, Zac Taylor and the squad officially shifted into "next year" mode. They finished third in the AFC North, which means while teams like the Texans and the Bills are prepping for their Divisional matchups this weekend, Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase are likely already looking at flight schedules for a vacation or starting their recovery protocols.
It’s frustrating. Especially when you see the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens staying relevant later into the winter. But that’s the reality of the 2026 NFL landscape.
Why You’re Seeing Bengals Buzz Right Now
You might be asking why everyone is still talking about them if they aren't on the field. Basically, the "Mock Draft" season has started way earlier than usual. Because the Bengals finished with the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the speculation is already at a fever pitch.
Experts like Jordan Reid over at ESPN are already linking Cincinnati to heavy hitters like Ohio State safety Caleb Downs. People are obsessed with how the Bengals will fix the defensive secondary after some of the high-scoring shootouts we saw in November and December.
When Will the Bengals Actually Play Again?
Since you came here wondering what time does the Cincinnati Bengals play today, you’re probably looking for a date to circle on the calendar. Unfortunately, the NFL doesn't release the official 2026 schedule with specific times until May.
However, we do know exactly who they are playing. The NFL's rotation formula is already set.
- The Home Slate: Expect to see the Kansas City Chiefs come to town. That’s always a massive draw. They’ll also host the usual AFC North rivals (Ravens, Steelers, Browns), plus the Jaguars, Titans, Saints, and Buccaneers.
- The Road Trips: They’ll be heading to Atlanta, Carolina, Indianapolis, and Houston. There’s also a matchup against the Washington Commanders on the road that has a lot of fans curious.
If You Still Need a Football Fix This Weekend
Even though the Bengals aren't playing, there is a massive slate of Divisional Round games coming up in just a couple of days. If you’re a fan of the AFC in general, you’ll want to keep an eye on these:
- Saturday, Jan 17: Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos. This kicks off at 4:30 PM ET on CBS.
- Sunday, Jan 18: Houston Texans at New England Patriots. This one is at 3:00 PM ET on ABC/ESPN.
It’s weird seeing the Patriots and Broncos back at the top of the heap while we’re sitting on the couch, but that’s how the 2025 season shook out.
The Joe Burrow Factor in 2026
Most of the conversations happening in Cincinnati sports bars today aren't about today’s kickoff time—they’re about 10. Specifically, Joe Burrow’s health and the offensive line.
There’s a lot of debate about whether the front office will use that 10th pick on a tackle or if they’ll go "best player available." The consensus among local analysts is that the window is still wide open, but the roster needs a "re-tooling" rather than a full "rebuild."
It’s a long wait until August for those first preseason snaps.
What you should do next:
Stop refreshing the scoreboard for today. Instead, head over to the official Bengals website to look at the 2026 opponent list and start planning your road trips. If you're looking for live action, set your DVR for the Bills-Broncos game this Saturday at 4:30 PM ET to see who might be representing the AFC in the Super Bowl.