2012 Cincinnati Bengals Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Time and TV Info

Coming off a bounce-back campaign, the young Cincinnati Bengals are looking to make the playoffs for a second season in a row.

After drafting quarterback Andy Dalton and wide receiver A.J. Green last year, the Bengals have two first-round picks in 2012 to sweeten the deal.

Here's a look at their 2012 schedule, per NFL.com, complete with analysis.

Cincinnati's 2012 Regular-Season Schedule  

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Week 1, Sept. 10: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

Week 2, Sept. 16: Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 3, Sept. 23: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Washington Redskins, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 4, Sept. 30: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4:05 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 5, Oct. 7: Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 6, Oct. 14: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 7, Oct. 21: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC

Week 8, Oct. 28: BYE

Week 9, Nov. 4: Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 10, Nov. 11: New York Giants vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 11, Nov. 18: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 12, Nov. 25: Oakland Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 13, Dec. 2: Cincinnati Bengals vs. San Diego Chargers, 4:15 p.m. ET, CBS

Week 14, Dec. 9: Dallas Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, FOX

Week 15, Dec. 13: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles, 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network

Week 16, Dec. 23: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET CBS

Week 17, Dec. 30: Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

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Analysis

The Bengals rank among the middle of the pack in strength of schedule this year. Their opponents' combined winning percentage was an even .500 last season. 

Their most difficult opponents this year will likely be the defending champion New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, complete with Peyton Manning.

Their weakest opponents will likely be the Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars.  

Most Pivotal Matchup

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers will once again be among the Bengals' toughest opponents this season. It doesn't help that they all reside in the same division, either.

Cincinnati plays a home game and an away game against both the Ravens and the Steelers. Last season, the Bengals went 0-2 against both teams. They obviously can make the playoffs without beating either the Ravens or the Steelers, but stealing a game or two would go a long way.

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