Bengals schedule 2024: Dates & times for all 17 games, strength of schedule, final record prediction

The Bengals came into 2023 with lofty expectations to win a Super Bowl despite a challenging schedule ahead. That schedule wound up being historically difficult, and the rest of the team was fraught with other problems.

Joe Burrow came into the season with a calf injury that clearly impacted his talents early on, then required season-ending wrist surgery midway through the year. A defense that had been a bend-don't-break unit in the past broke more than any team in giving up explosive plays and never had any answers for steady running games.

Despite that, Cincinnati still managed to finish 9-8, just missing the playoffs in the penultimate week of the season. Heading into the 2024 season, assuming Burrow stays healthy, this time will return once again hoping to bring the first Lombardi Trophy to Cincinnati.

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The Bengals still have plenty of question marks. Cincinnati lost defensive tackle D.J. Reader in free agency, a major loss mitigated only by the signings of Sheldon Rankins and the drafting of Kris Jenkins. A young secondary that struggled in 2023 lost veteran corner Chidobe Awuzie and shook up the safeties, moving Dax Hill to corner and signing Geno Stone and Vonn Bell to bring veterans alongside breakout third-rounder Jordan Battle.

Cincinnati is also hoping the offensive line will be as good as ever in protecting Burrow. The Bengals signed Trent Brown and used a first-round pick on Georgia's Amarius Mims, bringing in a pair of 6-7-plus offensive tackles to play opposite Orlando Brown Jr. and give Burrow the largest tackles in the league protecting him on either side. That protection will be key playing in a division that features Myles Garrett and T.J. Watt.

Despite trade requests from Tee Higgins and Trey Hendrickson, all expectations are the two star talents will be back, as the Bengals rarely accommodate trade requests. Higgins will return to a receiving room that still has Ja'Marr Chase and speedy rookie Jermaine Burton at receiver, as well as improved receiving tight ends in Mike Gesicki and Erick All. Hendrickson returns to lead a deep group of EDGE rushers in Sam Hubbard, Myles Murphy, and Joseph Ossai.

Will the Bengals return to Super Bowl contention, or will it be another year of disappointment in Cincinnati? That will be determined in the fall. For now, fans can at least take a look at those who will be standing in the way of the Bengals.

Here is a complete breakdown of the Bengals' 2024 schedule, including dates, start times, and analysis for their slate of games.

Cincinnati Bengals schedule 2024

Here are the opponents, times and TV for the Bengals in the 2024 NFL season: 

Bengals strength of schedule

The Bengals wound up facing a gauntlet in 2023, with teams having a combined .574 winning percentage from the year. It ranked as the most difficult schedule in the NFL based on opponents' win percentage en route to a 9-8 campaign.

Cincinnati finished last in the AFC North, thus earning a last-place schedule. The Bengals' 2024 slate ranks as the sixth-easiest schedule in the NFL, according to Sharp Football.

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Bengals prediction 2024

Bengals Super Bowl odds courtesy BetMGM (+1400)

Toughest tests: Playing in the AFC North will be always a challenge. That is especially the case heading into 2024, with the Ravens fresh off a No. 1 seed in the AFC, the Browns coming off a playoff win, and the Steelers upgrading at quarterback and having a top-tier draft.

It also doesn't help for the Bengals that it seems they can never escape a regular-season clash with the Chiefs. This is the year the AFC North plays the entire AFC West, and that will mean a trip on the road to Arrowhead Stadium for a third consecutive regular-season road tilt with Patrick Mahomes and company. Facing the NFC East with powerhouses like the Cowboys and Eagles will also bring their own challenges.

Biggest breaks: As far as times to face the NFC East go, playing them in 2024 appears to be better than it would have been two years ago. The Eagles face plenty of questions following the retirements of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox, and though the Giants and Commanders will each have upgraded offenses, neither are expected to be true Super Bowl contenders.

Facing the rest of the AFC West will also allow the Bengals to play rebuilding teams like the Chargers, Broncos, and Raiders. Thanks to that last-place schedule, Cincinnati will play the Patriots at home and the Panthers and Titans on the road. Those teams should all be overmatched assuming the Bengals return to their potential.

Bottom line: The 2023 season did not go as planned, largely due to Burrow's constant battles with injuries and struggles stopping the run. Cincinnati signed Rankins and drafted Jenkins, but there are still questions about the ability to win the trenches on defense. The Bengals will also need to hope Stone, Battle, and Bell at safety will help limit explosives.

But if Burrow is healthy, this is still a clear Super Bowl contender. The offense has the potential to be more explosive in 2024, and it would not be surprising to see Cincinnati among the top scorers in the NFL. The defense has little room to go but up, and there is still plenty of belief that DC Lou Anarumo can work his magic with a team that now has more veterans in the secondary.

Playing in the AFC North will be an absolute gauntlet, and it won't be surprising to see Cincinnati split each series in the division. But even going 3-3 should be the difference between the Bengals making the playoffs in 2024 versus missing it in 2023 after going a measly 1-5.

Record prediction: 11-6