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2018 Bengals schedule requires road work

Posted 21 hours ago

hobson60x60.jpgGeoff HobsonEditorBengals.comFollow Me Blog

The NFL gave the Bengals a schedule they haven’t quite had in their 51 seasons.

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The NFL gave the Bengals a schedule they haven’t quite had in their 51 seasons, but when the league released it Thursday the club liked the idea of limited travel, all but two games starting at 1 p.m., and a bye week right smack in the middle of the schedule on Nov. 4.

It’s believed for the first time ever Cincinnati not only opens with three of the first four games on the road, it also ends the season with three of their last four on the road that includes AFC North games at Cleveland Dec. 23 and Pittsburgh Dec. 30.

It’s also believed to be the first time they close the preseason with the same team they open the regular season. Their annual pre-season finale with the Colts is set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30 at Paul Brown Stadium. Then 10 days later they bus to Indianapolis for the Sept. 9 opener at 1 p.m.

With the Reds home against the Padres on Opening Day and Oktoberfest two weeks later, the Bengals were hoping to get three October dates and were pleased to get the Dolphins on Oct. 7, the Stealers on Oct. 14, and the Buccaneers on Oct. 28.

“You think they would have split up the (road) games, but we’ve been a pretty good road team. It’s you against everybody else,” said quarterback Andy Dalton, who according to Elias has a .537 winning percentage (29-25) on the road since 2011 that is the eighth highest among quarterbacks that have made at least 30 road starts over that span.

 It sets the stage for the first Thursday night home opener in history when the Ravens come into PBS for an 8:20 p.m. game on NFL Network Sept. 13 and provides some nice symmetry. The Bengals are hoping they pick up where they left off when they left the Baltimore crowd in disbelief in last year’s season finale that ended on his fourth-down 49-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tyler Boyd that knocked the Ravens out of the postseason.

“It’s important that we get off to a fast start,” said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis in a news release. “Having the home opener versus a division team on Thursday night adds to the excitement to start the season.”

For the first time since Dalton and seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green were rookies in 2011 the Bengals don’t have a Sunday or Monday night game, perhaps a casualty of the last two seasons of 13 wins. But there are also players and coaches that also don’t mind not having inconvenient night travel and like the steady drumbeat of 1 p.m. games.

“I feel like they put the teams on that people want to watch and we’re going to have to get that back,” Dalton said.

 

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The Ravens don't wait long to see Tyler Boyd again. The PBS opener to be exact.

The only non-1 p.m. games are the Ravens and a 4 p.m. game in Los Angeles on Dec. 9 that makes their only trip beyond the short hops of Kansas City and Carolina. The game against the Chargers also marks their first Los Angeles appearance since the 1990 postseason and the loss to the Raiders.

First-year defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has his hands full early with three Pro Bowl quarterbacks in those opening road games. The battered Andrew Luck hopes to make his return for the Colts in the opener against a team he knocked out of the postseason three years ago with a monster 376-yard game and then Carolina’s Cam Newton and Atlanta’s Matt Ryan loom back-to-back on the last two Sundays of September in 2014 rematches. The Bengals didn’t lose, stifling Ryan in a 24-10 victory at PBS but Newton came to town and accounted for 107 of 391 total yards rushing in a 37-37 tie.


Then the Bengals get three of the next four games at PBS, where Dalton is 10-2-1 in October during his career and hasn’t lost there in October in six years. The bye hits them nicely after the eighth game on Nov. 4, but there are probably are going to be chilly thoughts with the AFC race ending in those last two games in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.


If the Bengals ever have to improve the franchise’s worst rushing attack ever from last year, now is the time. Lewis has never lost in Cleveland in December in four games and he’s 5-6 in Pittsburgh during November and December.


Flexible scheduling involving Sunday Night Football may be used each week during Weeks 11-17. Also, in Weeks five-10, Sunday games are subject to flexible scheduling with SNF, though it is limited to no more than two instances during that six-week span. Flexible scheduling into Saturday time slots in Weeks 15 and 16 also is part of the schedule. In addition, any Sunday game may be moved from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., or vice versa, according to the Bengals’ release. 


The club also said the TV broadcast of the NFL Network game is to be simulcast in Cincinnati by a local non-cable station yet to be determined.

The Bengals also firmed up their pre-season schedule Thursday. They open at PBS against the Bears Aug. 9 in a Thursday 7 p.m. kickoff. On Saturday, Aug. 18 they’ll be in Dallas for a 7 p.m. game to be followed by the nationally-televised FOX game at Buffalo on 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 26. Then there’s that pre-season finale against Indianapolis at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 at PBS.

Bengals’ single-game tickets for pre-season and regular-season home games are on sale now. This is the first time single-game tickets have been available when the regular-season schedule is released. Anyone who purchases tickets through the Bengals will pay no fees when selecting mobile tickets as the delivery option. Fans interested in all home games can purchase Season Tickets for as low as $400.

Fans can purchase tickets by calling the Bengals Ticket Hotline at (513) 621-8383, online at Bengals.com or by visiting the PBS ticket office. The Bengals Ticket Hotline stays open late Thursday and tickets may be purchased 24/7 through Bengals.com. Regular hours for the Ticket Hotline and ticket office are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fans can chat with a ticket representative online if they have any questions.

 Season Tickets are on sale now, with pricing on all three levels of Paul Brown Stadium remaining flat for the 2018 season. Season Tickets start at $400, and flexible payment plan options are available. Fans can call the Bengals Ticket Hotline at (513) 621-8383 to schedule an appointment to view available seats.

 

 

 

http://www.bengals.com/news/article-1/2018-Bengals-schedule-requires-road-work/85d730ba-6710-42ea-aace-e06c638babc2

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12 hours ago, oldschooler said:

Now that I have a moment, I'll give my reasoning why I'm optimistic. I know you never asked.

But I don't care lol Just an attempt to spark conversation.

 

I believe John Ross has a second year comparable to William Jackson. In other words, a break out year.

I expect Tyler Eifert to be healthy. If for no other reason than he's due.

Cordy Glenn is going to be a huge upgrade. I'm not worried about past injury, because let's face it, it's football, anyone can get injured at any time.

Draft pick has to be an upgrade over Bodine. Lazor having time and offseason to implement his offense.

Joe Mixon and Gio running and catching the ball more. AJ Green trying to come back from a "bad"season by his standards.

Dalton starts looking like the 2015 Dalton instead of the Ken Zampeze OC Dalton.

New O-LINE Coach has to be an upgrade. New DC being an upgrade with a turnover driven D. Carl Lawson getting even better. William Jackson shining more.

And I think we'll add some big contributors in the draft and afterwards. I mean they were 7-9 without all of that. So why not?

I agree.  I have said before that if Ross, Glenn and Eifert stay healthy it could be the best team we have had in decades.  Just need a few pieces would should be able to pick up in the draft.  I just hope we can start strong given we have a new playbook, o line coach and Burfict out for the first 4. 

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Cincinnati Bengals' schedule starts tough with Vontaze Burfict out

 

The Bengals are still seeking their first postseason victory under Marvin Lewis. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Apr 19, 2018
  • terrell_katherine.png&w=160&h=160&scale=
    Katherine TerrellESPN Staff Writer

The NFL has released its 2018 regular-season schedule. Here's a look at what's in store for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Breakdown: The Bengals quickly squashed their playoff chances last season by digging themselves into an 0-3 hole, and the NFL schedule certainly didn't do them any favors this year. The Bengals' first month features three road games, including back-to-back trips to the Panthers and Falcons, two teams that made the playoffs last year. That's in addition to a short week against a divisional opponent when they host the Ravens on a Thursday in Week 2.

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The Bengals also have a difficult end to the season by finishing with three of the last four on the road, including a cross-country tip to visit the Chargers. That means the Bengals are going to have to quickly figure out their identity under new full-time offensive coordinator Bill Lazor and new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. It's certainly no easy task, and a huge challenge for a team that has missed the playoffs for the last two seasons.

A Burfict-less September: The Bengals will start their fourth straight season without Vontaze Burfict in the lineup. Burfict is suspended for four games, marking the third straight year he starts a season on suspension (he was injured to start the 2015 season). The Bengals have gone 5-5 in September during that time period. It's going to be a tough test for Austin to start his first year without one of the Bengals' best defenders, but it'll be even tougher to face a lineup of star-studded offenses in 2018. Six of the 10 teams that led the league in yards-per-game last year are on the Bengals' schedule.

Prime-time days are over: The Bengals' schedule features only one prime-time game: a Thursday night game at home against the Ravens in Week 2. This is the first time since 2011 that the Bengals do not have a Sunday or a Monday night game scheduled. That might work in the Bengals' favor, as they are a woeful 9-23 in the regular season in night games under Marvin Lewis. The Bengals have lost their last four prime-time games, including a Week 2 Thursday night game against the Texans last year that ultimately got offensive coordinator Ken Zampese fired. The Bengals have another schedule oddity: They'll close the preseason out against the Colts at home, and then turn around and play them on the road to open the season.

 

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/29920/2018-cincinnati-bengals-game-by-game-predictions

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2018 Cincinnati Bengals game-by-game predictions

Apr 19, 2018
  • terrell_katherine.png&w=160&h=160&scale=
    Katherine TerrellESPN Staff Writer

The Cincinnati Bengals won't have any time to waste this season. They'll need a quick start more than ever after an 0-3 beginning doomed them to a 7-9 finish last season.

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 9, at Indianapolis Colts, 1 p.m. ET

Colts quarterback Andrew Luck hasn’t taken a snap since the 2016 season, and there’s no guarantee he will be back by Week 1. So much uncertainty doesn’t bode well for the Colts, who had the second-worst offense in the league last season, just ahead of the Bengals. It also doesn’t bode well for Indy's chances to get off to a quick start after a 4-12 season in 2017. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Thursday, Sept. 13, vs. Baltimore Ravens, 8:20 p.m. ET

The Bengals' offense was blindsided by the Ravens’ defense in Week 1 last year, but a fresh start under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor should give Cincinnati a new look. The Bengals fared much better in their second matchup against the Ravens last season, with Lazor at the helm after offensive coordinator Ken Zampese was fired. Record: 2-0

Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 23, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

The Panthers' only losses at home last season were to the playoff-bound Saints and the eventual Super Bowl-winning Eagles. Although it's doubtful the NFC South will be as good as it was in 2017, the Panthers should still be a good enough team to make it difficult for the Bengals to steal a road victory. Record: 2-1

Week 4: Sunday, Sept. 30, atAtlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

The Falcons might have let the NFC divisional playoff game slip out of their hands against the Eagles, but they have been a very good team the past two seasons. Back-to-back road trips against teams with double-digit wins in 2017 won’t be easy for Cincinnati.Record: 2-2

Week 5: Sunday, Oct. 7, vs. Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

The Bengals easily handled a 10-6 Dolphins team in 2016, and Miami has gone the wrong way since then, winning only six games in 2017 and shipping Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry to the Browns this offseason. Record: 3-2

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 14, vs. Pittsburgh Stealers, 1 p.m. ET

The Bengals haven’t beaten the Stealers since Nov. 1, 2015, and Pittsburgh hasn’t had a drop-off since that point. Until the Bengals can prove they can get the Stealers monkey off their shoulders, it’s hard to predict a victory with any confidence. Record: 3-3

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 21, at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET

The second matchup against the Stealers took so much out of the Bengals last season that a depleted defense allowed 33 points in a loss to the hapless Bears. It’s fair to expect there could be another post-Stealers letdown on the road against a playoff-caliber team like the Chiefs. Record: 3-4

Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 28, vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m. ET

The Buccaneers are going to have a tough time improving in 2018, with three playoff-caliber teams in their division. They had the worst defense in the league last season, and even the trade for Jason Pierre-Paul might not measurably improve their struggling pass rush. The Bengals can take advantage of this spot at home. Record: 4-4

Week 9: BYE

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 11, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

The Saints were one play away from going to the NFC Championship Game last season. With quarterback Drew Brees back and a good crop of young players, they could have the best offense the Bengals face all of 2018. Record: 4-5

Week 11: Sunday, Nov. 18, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET

The Bengals had a nice run against the Ravens, with five consecutive wins from 2013 to 2015, but the two teams split the series the past two seasons. Both organizations have been middle of the pack the past two years, and if 2018 turns out anything like that, they’re likely headed for a split again. Record: 4-6

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 25, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

The Browns have made a number of moves in the offseason that have generated buzz and have gotten people talking about their potential as contenders. But with one win in two years, it seems doubtful they’ll be ready to turn things around quite yet. Record: 5-6

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 2, vs. Denver Broncos, 1 p.m. ET

The Broncos have tried to fix their quarterback situation by signing Case Keenum after finishing 20th in passing offense last season. But will that be enough to turn their fortunes around? The Broncos have had late collapses the past two seasons, and the Bengals get them at home late this year, which could work in Cincinnati’s favor. Record: 6-6

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 9, at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:05 p.m. ET

The Bengals haven’t had to make a trip to the West Coast since 2015, but they’ve fared surprisingly well there lately, winning their past five games in the Pacific time zone. The Chargers' offensive line has been inconsistent for the past few years, and if the Bengals' defense can stay healthy, that could be a spot for their pass rush to attack. The Chargers ended last season on a hot streak, and this one could really go either way. Record: 7-6

Week 15: Sunday, Dec. 16, vs. Oakland Raiders 1 p.m. ET

 

It will be a chess match when the Raiders and former defensive coordinator Paul Guenther come to town. Guenther spent more than a decade in the Bengals' organization and knows them as well as anybody. While it's hard to predict what the team will be like now that Jon Gruden is back, the Raiders certainly could be better than their 6-10 record last season. Record:7-7

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 23, at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET

Eventually, the Bengals' winning streak against the Browns, which dates to the 2014 season, will be snapped, but it won’t be this season. While the Browns might close the margin, they still won’t improve enough to win either matchup against the Bengals in 2018. Record: 8-7

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 30, at Pittsburgh Stealers, 1 p.m. ET

This is a difficult opponent to close out the regular season for the Bengals, especially on the road. The Stealers have lost only two of 12 games at home in December since the 2013 season. With both teams likely to be beaten up at this point, the Stealers should still have the edge. Record: 8-8

 

 

http://www.espn.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/29920/2018-cincinnati-bengals-game-by-game-predictions

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52 minutes ago, oldschooler said:

 

 

This is the kind of job a computer (read: programmer) can do perfectly, if an impartial & even schedule is their goal. It could even account for travel times & everything else you want it to consider.

 

If that is your goal. 

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Oct. 21 at Kansas City, 1 p.m. - 18-13. Lewis’ record vs. rookie quarterbacks with Patrick Mahomes in the limelight. It comes 15 years and two days after a PBS win over Baltimore’s Kyle Boller marked his first game vs. a rookie QB in a 34-26 PBS victory

 

That is a troubling stat to me. We have lost to rookie QB's 13 out of 31 times during Lewis' tenure. OUCH!

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