AFC North 2021 Schedule Analysis: Cincinnati Bengals
After drafting their franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow last season, hope struck again for Bengals fans, until it did not. Burrow’s season was cut short due to a torn ACL, a crushing injury for a rookie, or anybody, for that matter. Now, Burrow is almost back to full health and will have his old friend at wide receiver in JaMaar Chase with him after being drafted in the first round. The Bengals are still in a rebuild but will look to take a step forward in 2021.
Last Year’s Record: 4-11-1
Most Intriguing Game: Week 4 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
In Week 4, the Cincinnati Bengals will be hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. While both teams are most likely not going to be in the playoff hunt, this game is intriguing because it features the last two number one overall picks at quarterback: Joe Burrow for the Bengals and most recently Trevor Lawrence for the Jaguars. Featured players are the NFL’s cash cow, and these two hungry teams will look to get a victory in what should be a high-scoring Week 4 matchup. I believe the Bengals have the better offense and have enough on defense to beat Jacksonville, who will still be going through some growing pains with Lawrence by this point.
Most Important Game: Week 9 vs. Cleveland Browns
Nobody is going to predict the Bengals to make the playoffs, but they can shock the world just like any other team. To do that, they must win in their division. Their last game before their bye week is home against the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland is considered one of the top teams in the AFC, so to knock them off will give the Bengals enormous amounts of momentum going into their bye week. It is going to be tough, but if the Bengals want to take strides forward, they need to steal a couple of these games from quality opponents.
Most Important Stretch: Weeks 12-14
Through the Bengals season, their most important stretch of games comes from Week 12 to Week 14, where they will be taking on the Steelers, Chargers, and 49ers all at home. If all goes according to plan, the Bengals will most likely be heavy underdogs in all three of these games. Each of these teams has tough defenses as well, giving the Bengals young offense a lot to handle. While there is a chance, they lose all three games, the Bengals can get their second half of the season off to a good start even if they go 1-2 in this stretch. Before this stretch, they go to Vegas to play the Raiders, and right after the stretch, they go to Denver to play the Broncos. Both games can be winnable if the Bengals play good football.
Prediction: 6-11
After going 4-11-1 last year, I predict they will go 6-11 this year as they continue to rebuild their roster and get Joe Burrow the help he needs. In the division, the Bengals can sneak a win out of Pittsburgh but will fall in the rest of their division games due to lack of talent, which takes over with the familiarity of a division foe. The other five wins will probably be Jacksonville, Detroit, New York, Las Vegas, and Denver. While the prediction is 6-11, the Bengals can be an 8-9 or 9-8 team if they protect Joe Burrow, which is going to be a massive question mark coming into this season for the Bengals.
Info from profootballreference.com
Schedule from nfl.com
Writer
-By: Richie Dordas