The 2025 NFL schedules were released on Wednesday, and the Cincinnati Bengals don't have an easy road. Zac Taylor's squad will play seven games against 2024 playoff teams this year, including road contests versus the Green Bay Packers in Week 6 and the Buffalo Bills in Week 14.
With the schedules releasing this week, let's take a look at how experts think the Bengals will do in 2025. Cincinnati didn't really add much this offseason besides securing some of their franchise cornerstones on long-term deals, including wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
The team did end up bolstering the defense in the draft with the selection of edge rusher Shemar Stewart in Round 1 and linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr in Round 2.
With all that said, let's see what experts think the Bengals' record will be this season.
Bengals 2025 record predictions
Moe Moton, Bleacher Report: 9-8
Moton: "Like last year, the Bengals have the firepower to outscore most opponents, but their defense is still a concern. Also, Burrow could feel a lot of pressure from his right side. Cody Ford is a below-average guard, and tackle Amarius Mims is still developing in his second season."
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: 10-7
Vacchiano: " Bengals are loaded and good enough to be a playoff team, but the key to everything for them will be what happens in September and early October. They are notoriously slow starters and couldn't pull themselves out of their early 1-4 hole last year. And in a division where the Ravens are a powerhouse and the Steelers should still be good, a fast start is essential. So it’s a huge help that Cincinnati's first two games are against the Browns (in Cleveland) and Jaguars (at home). The NFL gave the Bengals a fighting chance to start fast. After that, things get dicey, especially on the road. They play at the homes of six playoff teams, including Green Bay, Minnesota, Denver and Buffalo. They had better take advantage of their soft opening."
Matt Verderame, Sports Illustrated: 9-8
Verderame: "Cincinnati will benefit from a third-place schedule, but will the Bengals be able to stop anybody? They’ll play some high-flying offenses in Baltimore and perhaps a revamped Pittsburgh attack, along with the Packers, Vikings, Bills, Chicago Bears, Arizona Cardinals and Detroit Lions. New defensive coordinator Al Golden will be tested early and often."
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