Bengals 2025 NFL Schedule Released for Burrow, Chase, Higgins' Playoff Push

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking to bounce back in a big way in 2025.

After making a Super Bowl appearance during the 2021 season and an AFC Championship Game appearance the following year, the Bengals have missed the playoffs with identical 9-8 records in each of the past two seasons.

Cincinnati will be attempting to return to the playoffs led by the team's star offensive trio of Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The Bengals didn't make many major external additions in free agency compared to past years, signing nose tackle T.J. Slaton and linebacker Oren Burks.

Cincinnati's big offseason moves came internally, handing Chase a four-year contract extension worth $161 million and giving Higgins a four-year extension worth $115 million.

The team also hired Al Golden as its new defensive coordinator after parting ways with Lou Anarumo at the end of the 2024 season.

The Bengals are hoping to maintain one of the league's most high-powered offenses while improving upon their scoring defense that ranked No. 26 in 2024.

Analysis

Cincinnati's push to return to the postseason won't be easy, as their 2025 schedule features a cross-conference clash with the NFC North. The four NFC North squads finished the 2024 season with a combined record of 45-23, with three teams making the playoffs.

The Chicago Bears were the only member of the NFC North to finish with a losing record, but it isn't difficult to imagine the Bears taking a step forward in 2025 with new head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams entering his second season in the NFL.

Cincinnati will also have two matchups against all three of its AFC North foes, with its division remaining one of the league's toughest. The AFC North has sent multiple teams to the playoffs in each of the past five years, and there's a strong chance that a sixth year is in store.

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens have won division titles in 2023 and 2024, while the Pittsburgh Steelers boast an imposing defense headlined by T.J. Watt, Minkah Fitzpatrick and Cameron Heyward.

The Bengals' third-place schedule also has them set to face off against the Denver Broncos and Jacksonville Jaguars.

One positive for Cincinnati is that it is scheduled to travel the least amount of miles in the league:

Pivotal Matchups

Cincinnati can build upon its 2024 season by closing out games in the fourth quarter and staying competitive within its division.

The Bengals finished with a 4-7 record in one-score games last season and own a mere 4-8 record against AFC North opponents over the past two years.

Matchups with the Ravens will be crucial for Cincinnati in both areas. Baltimore won the season series in 2024, but both of its victories occurred by a total of four points.

If the Bengals aren't able to secure a division crown next season, they'll look to stack up wins over other AFC squads that could also be in the wild-card race. Such opponents include the Broncos and Miami Dolphins.

Cincinnati will also want to avoid suffering losses to opponents with young rosters despite not being considered contenders such as the Jaguars and New England Patriots.

The Bengals could find themselves back in the playoff picture if their defense improves across the board while Burrow, Chase and Higgins continue to excel.