To say there is still a lot of time between no and the start of the season would be an understatement. We still have the Draft, OTAs, and the Preseason to see how this squad develops. But what the hell, here is how I see the season playing out at this stage of the game:
WEEK 1: BALTIMORE Sunday, Sept. 10, 1 p.m.
- Bengals open at home for first time since 2009 and face a Ravens team that has had a winning record only once (2014) in the past four seasons. Although they added DBs Brandon Carr and Tony Jefferson, their pass defense was terrible last year. The lack of a run game puts all the onus on Joe Flacco. Bengals win this one
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 2: HOUSTON Thursday, Sept. 14, 8:25 p.m.
- The first Thursday Night game of the NFL season. . The Texans have no QB to speak of but I don't like where this game falls on the schedule The defensive front of the Texans with emerging superstar Jadeveon Clowney, Whitney Mercilus, and a healthy JJ Watt is too much too early for this inexperienced and and developing offensive line for the Bengals.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 2: @ GREEN BAY Sunday, Sept. 24, 4:25 p.m.
- This is maybe the toughest game on the schedule. At Lambaeu versus one of the best QBs in the business is a tall task. In free agency the Packers added TEs Martellus Bennett and Lance Kendricks giving them a potent two-TE offense. The Bengals historically don't cover TEs well.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 4: @ CLEVELAND Sunday, Oct. 1, 1 p.m.
- Cleveland has a lot of drafts picks this year but this isn't yet time for the Browns with no QB/inexperienced QB and a team still rebuilding.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 5: BUFFALO Sunday, 1 p.m.
- Buffalo has a new coach in Sean McDermott (who I really like) however the same average QB in Tyrod Taylor and a team that is in rebuilding mode.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 6: BYE...Bengals go into the bye at 3-2
WEEK 7: @ Pittsburgh Sunday, Oct. 22, 1 p.m.
- Bengals come off the bye and a chance to heal up some early season injuries and get fresh by going to Pittsburgh. The Steelers the previous week will have a battle versus a very good and tough Kansas City team so maybe they will be beat up. However Big Ben...maybe in his final season?...will still be able to get it done at home with some of the best weapons in football in top RB LeVeon Bell, top WR Antonio Brown, and returning star WR Martavis Bryant.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 8: INDIANAPOLIS Sunday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m.
- The Colt'd defense was atrocious last year but they went all in on addressing that in free agency picking up DE Jabaal Sheard, DL John Simon, LB Barkevious Mingo, and Margus Hunt! They have recently done a better job protecting Andre Luck as well. Bengals will be battered from Steelers contest the week before, Colt will be to much this day.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 9: @ JACKSONVILLE Sunday, Nov. 5, 1 p.m.
- I like that the Jags brought in Doug Marone as head coach along with legend Tom Coughlin to get things right in Jacksonville. However QB Blake Bortles regressed last season and this is still a team rebuilding.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 10: @ TENNESSEE Sunday, Nov. 12: at Tennessee, 1 p.m.
- QB Marcus Mariotta did some really good things in his second season and looks to improve even more. The also have two first round picks this year and helped out the defense in free agancy. I like their developing run game with Derrick HEnry as well. However the Bengals will be into form by this point in the season and take care of business.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 11: @ DENVER Sunday, Nov. 19, 4:25 p.m.
- Former Bengals DB coach Vance Joseph (now HC of the Broncos) will have had time to get some experience under his belt. Plus the Broncos defense is still maybe the most aggressive and damaging in the NFL, having held teams to 18ppg the previous season. The Broncos may still have questions at QB by this point however Denver is a tough place to play.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 12: CLEVELAND Sunday, Nov. 26, 1 p.m.
- This will be a tough physical game this late in the season but the Browns will still be the Browns. This point of the season is where I could see the Bengals making a big push.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 13: PITTSBURGH Monday, Dec. 4, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
- Monday Night Football in Cincinnati against the feared and dreaded Steelers. I'm thinking (hoping) the Steelers may be exhausted from a clash with Green Bay the week before. The Bengals get this win at home under the bright lights!
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 14: CHICAGO Sunday, Dec. 10, 1 p.m.
- The Bears couldn't stop anyone last year and have no dangerous QB to speak of (Mike Glennon?) Benglas roll.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 15: @ MINNESOTA: Sunday, Dec. 17, 1 p.m.
- Who knows who will be the Vikes QB at this point (who knows if Bridgewater will even be able to play this year??) and there is no Adrian Peterson. Hoever the Vikings did add big RB Latavius Murray and a couple offensive lineman to bolster run game. This will be a slobber-knocker of a game against Mike Zimmer and the Vikings will narrowly edge this one out.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
WEEK 16: DETROIT Sunday, Dec. 24, 1 p.m.
- Christmas Eve versus the Lions. The Lions (at least right now) lack offensive weapons and lack the ability to get after the QB. This will be a tough game but Bengals get it done.
Verdict: Bengals Win
WEEK 17: BALTIMORE Sunday, Dec. 31: at Baltimore, 1 p.m.
The Bengals will be in the mix of things at this point in game that could decide playoff chances. However I can't see them beating Baltimore twice two seasons in a row.
Verdict: Bengals Lose
So if your keeping score, as it stands right now I have the Bengals going 9-7. The games that could tilt either way are week 15 at Minnesota, week 17 game versus the Ravens and of course the game at Pittsburgh. If the Bengals can find a way to win one or more of those pivitol games, who knows.
I don't see this Bengals team as dominant by no means but I think this schedule is favorable...the toughest games are the Steelers twice and Green Bay. I don't see the NFL's other top teams...Patriots, Falcons, Cowboys, Seahawks, Raiders, and Chiefs...on this schedule. If things develop well for this team who knows???