Predicting Bengals 2025 Wins by Schedule

Zak Drapeau
Jul 26
6 min read

by Zak Drapeau 7/26/2025 FansOnlySportz

Team Overview

Get ready for some shootouts. The Bengals just barely missed out on the playoffs last season and it was due to their defense giving up the 7th most points in the league. This offseason was one expected to see new additions for the defense but the Bengals kept this group very much the same. In fact, they are currently in contract disputes and possible holdouts with their best pass rusher Trey Hendrickson and Top Draft Pick, Edge Shemar Stewart.

With significant defensive shortcomings heading into next season, thankfully the Bengals don't need to be worried about the offense. Joe Burrow had the best season of his career and was even MY vote for MVP last season. Along with Ja'Marr Chase and even Tee Higgins most games, Burrow buried defenses last year and should've won a lot more games than he did.

After a 9-8 2024, the Bengals game plan will have to be exactly the same as last year; try to put up 40 points a game. With a new DC and a much worse pass rush this season than we saw last year, Joe Burrow will have to be Superman again to try and get this team back to the playoffs. Let's see if he can work his magic, game-by-game.

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Week 1: @ Browns

An immediate test for Cincy, the Bengals will have to light up the daunting Cleveland defense in their stadium. With Joe Flacco seemingly the Day 1 starter, the Browns offense will be a good matchup as well with Jeudy, Njoku and Ford looking to take advantage of the poor personnel. A tough AFC North game could see the Browns get a surprise victory in Week 1.

Prediction: Browns 23-20

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Week 2: vs Jaguars

For their home opener, the Bengals will host the Jaguars who have some serious potential this season. Behind new offensive-minded Head Coach Liam Coen and a new look offense, Trevor Lawrence could really take advantage of the Bengals' D. The first probably shootout of their season, the Bengals will look to outduel the Jaguars at home.

Prediction: Bengals 37-31

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Week 3: @ Vikings

The Vikings have the one thing that the Bengals will be looking for all season; a weak secondary. Going to Minnesota, the Bengals will look to throw the ball 50ish times and if... and it's a big IF, the Bengals can keep the Vikings pass rush at bay, I see them beating Burrow and Chase's old buddy Justin Jefferson in this one.

Prediction: Bengals 31-27

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Week 4: @ Broncos (MNF)

So everything I just said about the Vikings' defense... it's the opposite in Denver. At Mile High on primetime, the Bengals may get exposed. With a good enough offense that will win battles against the Bengals' D and an elite defense that will at least hold Burrow in check, the Broncos should get an easy W.

Prediction: Broncos 28-21

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Week 5: vs Lions

Back at home against another great roster, the Lions will have the best secondary the Bengals have seen to this point in the season. With a new direction thanks to new coaching, the Lions may bend but they won't break and will eventually outscore them.

Prediction: Lions 28-27

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Week 6: @ Packers

The Packers have a deep offense but one that I would argue doesn't have a true #1 star if Josh Jacobs doesn't go off like he sometimes does. On the other end, their secondary is definitely their worst group on the team and even in Green Bay, I can see Burrow lighting it up for multiple TDs in a win.

Prediction: Bengals 35-28

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Week 7: vs Steelers (TNF)

One of the best rivalries in the game, the Steelers and Bengals first matchup of the season will be on short notice on Thursday Night Football. Anything can happen on Thursday nights and at home, I can see the Steelers not putting up enough points to beat them on this night.

Prediction: Bengals 31-28

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Week 8: vs Jets

In the second of a 3-game home stand, the Jets come to town and this game is very hard to predict. The Jets' defense with Aaron Glenn at the helm should be even better this season... but it's the Jets? I believe this game is a low-scoring turnover fest and that might actually be in the favor of the Jets here. Take this one with a grain of salt.

Prediction: Jets 21-17

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Week 9: vs Bears

After a upset last week, the Bengals will come to play here but so will the Bears and their dynamic offense. This is the worst matchup for the Bengals thus far as Jaylon Johnson shadowing Ja'Marr Chase and Caleb Williams potentially putting up 50 in this one, the Bengals will have to take it on the chin.

Prediction: Bears 42-30

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Week 10: BYE Week

Sitting at their mid-season BYE Week at 4-5, the Bengals season has closely resembled the days of the Pac-12 conference. Averaging over 27 points but allowing over 28 a game, the Bengals are at a critical point in their season where something needs to be done on defense. Hopefully the Bengals have either signed Stewart and Hendrickson or at least traded the former to get something for the superstar's last year.

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Week 11: @ Steelers

After an extra week of prep, this game in Pittsburgh is critical. After taking the first game in Week 7, the Steelers defense will take control in this one and dominate a Bengals team who's desperately searching for answers now.

Prediction: Steelers 31-21

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Week 12: vs Patriots

Back at home versus a good Patriots team, this game will show the true prowess of the Patriots new and improved defense. Another shootout on the horizon, a big decider of this one will be the inexperience of Drake Maye that I believe will cost them at the end.

Prediction: Bengals 38-35

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Week 13: @ Ravens (Thanksgiving Game)

The first matchup with the Ravens and in true form of this rivalry, it's another shootout and the best game of this year's Thanksgiving day. The Ravens defense will be it's best we've seen in years but Joe Cool will be ballin here, and still come up just short to a truly better team in their stadium.

Prediction: Ravens 42-39

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Week 14: @ Bills

Going back-to-back away games in Baltimore then Buffalo shouldn't even be allowed but the Bengals will do it this year. After barely losing to one of the best teams in the league, it will be more of the same in this one as the Bills do enough to outduel the Bengals and give Josh Allen his first win over Joe Burrow in their careers.

Prediction: Bills 38-34

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Week 15: vs Ravens

The Bengals defense has been pushed around for weeks now and I'll take this game at home for them to actually play well. All the offense is asking for is the defense to give up 30 or fewer points for the first time since Week 8 and they do it here.

Prediction: Bengals 35-30

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Week 16: @ Dolphins

This is crazy but... I think this will also be a shootout. A battle of two of the best pass games in the league, a home game for Miami may be a huge factor but so will the very inexperienced secondary of the Dolphins.

Prediction: Bengals 38-35

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Week 17: vs Cardinals (TBD)

An underappreciated team for too long, the Cardinals have quietly built one of the best defenses in the league for this season. Along with Kyler Murray running wild against an edge-less Bengals D, this game is a wash in Cincinnati.

Prediction: Cardinals 28-21

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Week 18: vs Browns

Neither team will make the playoffs this season and the Browns will have the bottom of the division locked up at this point too so this one will be for pride. The Browns' secondary is very good and Ja'Marr Chase has even said Denzel Ward is his toughest matchup but I'll take the Bengals to have more momentum at this point in the season and therefore outlast the Browns here.

Prediction: Bengals 27-24

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The Bengals finish this exercise with an 8-9 record, holding a 4-4 record at home and a 3-3 record within the AFC North.

A legit contender for the most points scored and most points allowed, the Bengals gave up 30 or more points in 8 of their 17 games this season. Without Hendrickson and Stewart who knows if they don't give up more but thankfully, Burrow will captain an offense that is good enough to truly overlook his defense.

At some point Burrow will need to be seriously considered for MVP even if his team doesn't make the playoffs. Last year, Burrow's stat line was 4,918/43/9 and he absolutely could duplicate that this year. He will NEED to and then some, if this team has any hopes for success... he'll need too.

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