In the Spotlight: Cincinnati Bengals Look to Return to Contention in 2026

The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 season trying to turn one of the NFL’s most talented offenses back into a playoff contender. Cincinnati finished 6-11 in 2025, its third consecutive season without a postseason appearance, as another Joe Burrow injury and a struggling defense proved difficult to overcome. Burrow remains the centerpiece, with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Chase Brown giving Cincinnati an impressive collection of offensive playmakers. The offseason priority was improving the other side of the ball. The Bengals acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II from the Giants and added Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook, giving defensive coordinator Al Golden several significant reinforcements.

What to Watch

Everything begins with Burrow’s health. The quarterback has missed significant time in two of the last three seasons, and Cincinnati’s playoff prospects change dramatically when he isn’t available. Veteran Joe Flacco was re-signed after filling in during 2025, giving the Bengals an experienced backup. The offense should again revolve around Burrow, Chase and Higgins, but Brown has become another major component. The running back enters 2026 seeking a third straight season with at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage after recording double-digit touchdowns in each of the previous two years. Defense is the bigger question. Cincinnati allowed an NFL-worst 6.18 yards per play in 2025. Lawrence, Allen and Mafe were brought in to change that equation, and even a moderate defensive improvement could make the Bengals much more dangerous.

Betting Outlook

The betting market expects a significant Cincinnati rebound. DraftKings listed the Bengals at +184 to win the AFC North, +1025 to win the AFC and +2000 to win Super Bowl LXI in early August. Their win total was 10.5, with Over +115 and Under -140. That makes Cincinnati an interesting futures team. The Bengals’ offensive ceiling remains high with a healthy Burrow, but reaching 11 victories would require a five-win improvement from 2025. The schedule also includes Baltimore twice, Kansas City, Houston and a Madrid matchup against Atlanta.

Key Team Details

• 2025 record: 6-11, third in AFC North.
• Key players to watch: Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen and Boye Mafe.
• Expected starting QB: Joe Burrow.
• Key signings and additions for 2026-27 season: Dexter Lawrence II, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook and Josh Johnson. Cincinnati also re-signed Joe Flacco and Dalton Risner and extended Orlando Brown Jr.
• Betting odds to win AFC North: +184.
• Betting odds to win AFC Championship: +1025.
• Betting odds to win Super Bowl: +2000.
• Win totals over/under: 10.5 wins; Over +115, Under -140. Odds are from DraftKings and subject to change.

2026-27 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule

Cincinnati has three primetime games and will face Atlanta in Madrid on Nov. 8. The Bengals’ official schedule also includes a Week 6 bye and a New Year’s Eve home game against Baltimore.

Week	Date	Opponent	Location
1	Sept. 13	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Home
2	Sept. 20	Houston Texans	Away
3	Sept. 27	Pittsburgh Steelers	Away
4	Oct. 4	Jacksonville Jaguars	Home
5	Oct. 11	Miami Dolphins	Away
6	Oct. 18	BYE	—
7	Oct. 25	Baltimore Ravens	Away
8	Nov. 1	Tennessee Titans	Home
9	Nov. 8	Atlanta Falcons	Madrid, Spain
10	Nov. 15	Pittsburgh Steelers	Home
11	Nov. 23	Washington Commanders	Away
12	Nov. 29	New Orleans Saints	Home
13	Dec. 6	Cleveland Browns	Away
14	Dec. 13	Kansas City Chiefs	Home
15	Dec. 20	Carolina Panthers	Away
16	Dec. 26/27	Indianapolis Colts	Away
17	Dec. 31	Baltimore Ravens	Home
18	Jan. 9/10	Cleveland Browns	Home