Analysing the Most Significant Games on the Bengals' 2012 Schedule

The 2012 schedule has been released, and predictions are flooding in. 

While opponents have been known for quite some time, momentum is big in the NFL, and the order in which these upstart Bengals face their foes could be pivotal in terms of whether or not they can put together back-to-back winning seasons.

With that sentiment, let's take a look at the pivotal games on the road to the playoffs in 2012.

Week 1: At Baltimore Ravens

The Bengals were outclassed and outplayed in their two meetings with Baltimore in 2011.

With a defense on top form, an improved Joe Flacco under center and a man named Ray Rice in the backfield, the Ravens bullied their way to the top of the AFC North, making short work of Cincy in the process.

This game already has built-in hype as the first Monday Night Football of the year, and it will prove to be a crucial game for the Cincinnati Bengals.

After failing to beat Baltimore at crunch time in 2011, Cincy will be looking to prove that their playoff berth was no fluke and that they deserved to be among the league's best.

The Bengals are yet to be considered as legitimate contenders due in equal measure to their historic ineptitude and their current relative youth.

With a win in Baltimore on Monday Night Football, Andy Dalton and Co. can cement themselves as a team to watch while staking a claim to the AFC North early.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 10: New York Giants

One week after his older brother and the Denver Broncos travel to Cincinnati, Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning and the Giants will roll into town.

The Giants had a turbulent journey to the Super Bowl trophy in 2011. They found their form in the playoffs after suffering a regular season of highs and lows.

The Bengals will be the last team to face the Giants before they get their bye week, which is the latest of any team in the league. 

Meaning, the Bengals will see the Giants at their most tired and banged-up. The NFL regular season may only comprise of 16 games, but it is a long season in terms of the physical punishment. The Bengals can take advantage of that when the G-Men come to visit.

If the Bengals beat the Giants, not only will they turn heads, but they can build some much-needed momentum as their schedule toughens up later in the year.

Prediction: WIN

Week 12: Oakland Raiders

The Bengals may not face the toughest challenge when the Oakland Raiders visit Paul Brown Stadium, but it is crucial that they pull out a win here.

Why? Carson Palmer.

The Bengals have moved on from Palmer and need a win here to cement their new identity and keep everyone in the locker room buying in to their new leader, Andy Dalton.

Marvin Lewis and Dalton will downplay the significance of this game, but there is little doubt that the pressure will truly be on when Palmer makes his return.

Those left over from the Carson Palmer era will likely have emotions running high in this one, and many will be looking to make sure that the man who quit on them has a rough day at the office on Nov. 25.

Prediction: WIN

Week 13: At San Diego Chargers

Carson Palmer's legacy will continue to be felt as the Bengals travel to San Diego in Week 13.

In their last two meetings with the Chargers, Carson Palmer lead Cincy to two impressive victories. The latter is now considered his last great game in stripes.

Andy Dalton will want to keep the win streak alive, and toppling the Chargers will provide a boost as the Bengals gear up for a gruelling final four games.

Norv Turner's job will be on the line from Week 1, so you have to believe that these Chargers will be playing their hearts out in 2012. 

The Bengals need to get off to a hot start here, as trips to Philadelphia and Pittsburgh plus visits from Dallas and Baltimore will not give the Cincy youngsters a break.

If there is to be a moment where the Bengals hit their stride in 2012, it needs to be here.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 15: At Philadelphia Eagles

Week 14's encounter with the Dallas Cowboys will by no means be an easy task for Cincy; however, a win in Philadelphia the following week will be even more important for Marvin Lewis' team.

Win or lose at home to Dallas, the Eagles game will be a proving ground for the Bengals. They need to assert some power against Philly to build confidence for the back-to-back divisional games that will likely make or break a postseason push.

Mike Vick and "The Dream Team" are hoping to rebound from a horrendous 2011 campaign, and if their performance at the end of the year is anything to go by, they are certainly back on track.

We are yet to see the best of Mike Vick, and 2012 could be a special year for the Eagles. Much like the Bengals, the lack of a true offseason may have hampered the Eagles last year. However, there will be no excuses this year, and folks in Philly will be pencilling this one down as a win.

A win here would be instrumental in pumping up the Bengals and would give them great momentum on the home stretch.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 16: Pittsburgh Steelers

After Week 1, the Bengals have a series of soft games and have the chance to go on a run. Their first big challenge comes in the form of Pittsburgh in Week 7, but if Cincy can keep their momentum rolling, the Steelers could be a casualty of it.

However, we must not write them off. In their last meeting, the Steelers blew the Bengals out of the water, 35-7. The Steelers may well be getting older, but with Ben Roethlisberger under center, they will continue to be contenders in the North.

These Steelers could see their fair share of struggles in 2012, but as we know all too well, when the playoffs come-a-callin, Pittsburgh start playing.

If at this stage in the season, Baltimore emerge as the favorites in the race for the AFC North, this matchup will be a real street-fight as the Steelers and the Bengals fight for their playoff lives.

The Bengals may need a win here to keep hopes alive.

Prediction: LOSS

Week 17: Baltimore Ravens

In a repeat of their 2011 finale, the Bengals host the Baltimore Ravens to conclude the 2012 season, hoping to reverse the outcome this time around.

Baltimore could be sitting pretty at this stage, but if they have something to play for, they would be favorites to take this one. 

The Bengals are no strangers to pressure games, but they struggled when faced with beating their division rivals (excluding Cleveland) last year.

This matchup could come down to which team still has something to play for. Unless a sweep is on, the Ravens won't hesitate to limit the likes of Ray Rice here.

It is hard to know whether or not the Bengals will still be in the playoff hunt by this point. If so, they need to win this game and march into the postseason rather than falling backwards into it as they did last year.

Prediction: WIN