The Cincinnati Bengals won the division in 2021 just two years after going 2-14. In 2020, the Bengals went 4-11-1 and also finished in last place.
They did so with a week left in the season, as the Bengals travel to Cleveland with only playoff seeding on their mind in Week 18.
The losing seasons in 2019 and 2020 provided the Bengals with a perceived "easier schedule" but after winning the division, the Bengals will have a tough slate in 2022.
While dates and times won't be announced for several months, the Bengals know who and where they will be playing in 2022.
There's no surprises when it comes to the division. The Bengals will play the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens a total of six times.
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The Bengals also know that the AFC North will play teams in the AFC East (Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets and Miami Dolphins) and teams from the NFC South (Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers).
But what about the other games? In 2021, the Bengals played teams from the AFC West and NFC North but the other games included fellow 2020 last-place teams: the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers.
Now they'll play first-place teams.
The Bengals 2022 NFL schedule
Home:
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- Buffalo Bills
- Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Kansas City Chiefs
Away:
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- New England Patriots
- New York Jets
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Tennessee Titans
- Dallas Cowboys
Yes, division winners Tennessee, Dallas and Kansas City are the three additional games on the Bengals schedule.
In 2021 the Bengals had just one primetime game ( a Thursday night matchup with the Jaguars). Given the schedule and the emergence of quarterback Joe Burrow and receiver Ja'Marr Chase, the Bengals could be in-line for more in 2021.
Could the Cincinnati Bengals play on Thanksgiving?
The answer is yes.
Will it happen? Only the NFL knows. But the Dallas Cowboys are one of two teams that traditionally play on Thanksgiving and the Bengals will play the AFC East champions in the Lone Star State.
That said, the NFL will have plenty of options to pair the Cowboys with next season.
If recent history suggest anything, maybe the Bengals will be turkey day free in 2022. Cincinnati played Detroit, the other Thanksgiving day game team, in 2021 in the Motor City.
How did the Bengals fair against division champions in 2021?
The Bengals' turnaround in 2021 included games against the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals were a gust of wind blowing from the river away from going 4-0 against those teams this season.
The Bengals of course clinched the division with a win over the Chiefs. They swept the Steelers for the first time since 2009 and lost to Green Bay in overtime in Week 5, 24-22, missing a would-be game-winning kick in the extra period.
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The Bengals actually lost a few games against teams who finished with losing records in 2021. The Bengals lost games to the Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears and New York Jets this season.
That doesn't include a late field goal win against Jacksonville in Week 4, 24-21. The Jaguars will be playing for the No. 1 pick in the draft in Week 18.
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