MACON, Ga. — January 15, 2022 – Cincinnati – AFC Wild Card Game: Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals This was the day my sports fan life took a 180-degree turn. I finally felt like I belonged. Not just me, but the 66,277 fans who were in Paycor Stadium that night and the hundred thousand more who will tell you they were there too.
The moment Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt emerged with the football that sealed the Bengals first playoff win in 31 years, and the first playoff win in my lifetime, is a moment etched into my memory forever. I’ll never forget embracing my cousin- both of us endured years of hoping, losing, patience, loyalty, going to games when they were 0-11- and finally getting our moment to celebrate. Finally feeling like we belonged with the fun of the NFL and seeing our team and our city win a playoff game.
Of course the fun didn’t stop there. After finally breaking a 31-year curse, the Bengals decided that “it was them” and took the city on a magical run to the Super Bowl. Along the way, they completely rejuvenated their relationship with the fanbase, Joe Burrow became the unofficial mayor of Cincinnati- heck, maybe unofficial governor of Ohio- naming rights were sold to the stadium, construction began on an indoor practice facility, season tickets sold out, etc. The momentum this franchise has right now is indescribable.
The 2022 Bengals season is not only the most anticipated in franchise history, it’s also the most important. This season is about proving last year wasn’t a fluke. It’s about cementing the direction this franchise is heading.
Joe Burrow showed exactly why he was the number one overall pick in 2020 last year. He elevates the entire team. He has changed the entire Bengals culture.
The wide receiver trio of Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd is electric. Chase is that highlight-reel receiver you used to envy other teams having watching NFL highlight shows. Higgins is a big play waiting to happen on every snap. And Boyd is the steady Eddie of the receiving corps. He’s the leader of this receiver room, the quiet veteran who just does his job at a really high level.
Joe Mixon is the heartbeat of this team. He’s the energizer. He gives this team a much-needed dimension at running back.
The defense does not give the credit it deserves. For all the attention the offense gets, it was the defense who forced seven turnovers and yielded fewer than 20 points per game in their first three playoff games last year. Two of those playoff games came at the top-seeded Titans, led by Derrick Henry, and at Kansas City, who had scored 42 points in each of their previous two playoff games.
The offensive line will always be concern number one with this team. But it was immediately addressed in the offseason with three free agent signings, including the “Bodyguard” in La’El Collins.
The pieces are in place. Joey Franchise is back to lead this team. The expectations are palpable. The anticipation could not be higher. And what better way to start the season and defend your AFC Championship then against your hated rivals in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The following is my game-by-game predictions for the Bengals, my division and playoff picks around the NFL and my pick to win Super Bowl LVII.
Week 1: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. on CBS)
The Bengals obliterated Pittsburgh last year, sweeping them by a combined score of 65-20. This game will not be like either of last year’s games. Pittsburgh’s offense is upgraded simply because they have a new quarterback in Mitch Trubisky. Plus, their defense is always a concern for any offense, anchored by reigning defensive player of the year T.J. Watt.
Trubisky, though, is playing behind an offensive line that still doesn’t have it all put together. That will allow the Bengals pass rush, anchored by pro bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson, to get after the sixth-year veteran quarterback.
The Bengals are the more talented team in this game. That will enable them to pull away late, sealing their fourth straight win against the Steelers.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Steelers 20
Week 2: @ Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. on CBS)
The Bengals first of eight nationally televised games comes against America’s Team. And because it’s the Cowboys, this game will get, perhaps, the most attention during week two.
Last year the Cowboys started 6-1, so drawing them early in the season may be a disadvantage. While the Cowboys may not match last year leading the NFL in scoring and total offense, their defense will be a strength again this year. Micah Parsons is the epitome of a hybrid player. He can line up anywhere, and the Bengals will have to take into account where he is on every play.
Another matchup to watch in this game will be Bengals wide receiver, and reigning offensive rookie of the year, Ja’Marr Chase, against Cowboys all-pro cornerback Trevon Diggs, who had 11 interceptions last year.
But where this matchup could be decided is the Cowboys missing stalwart left tackle Tyron Smith. That will give Trey Hendrickson plenty of opportunities to get to Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
In a game that could go either way, the Bengals are slightly more talented and I think will pull this one out, as a result.
Game pick: Bengals 27 Cowboys 24 (Evan McPherson from 43 yards at the gun)
Week 3: @ New York Jets (1 p.m. on CBS)
This game is an important one. The Bengals can’t let happen what happened last year at New York happen again this year.
The good news is this team is more mature and battle-tested than they were when they took the field in New York last Halloween.
But the Jets are much improved, thanks to a fantastic draft and strong free agent signings.
Jets second-year quarterback Zach Wilson got hurt in week one of the preseason, and it’s unknown if he will be back for this game. But the Bengals can’t let the backup quarterback throw for 405 yards like Mike White (remember him?) did last year.
I’m also excited to see Chase and the Bengals receivers battle against Jets rookie cornerback, and Cincinnati Bearcats icon, Sauce Gardner.
Both teams are much improved, but the Bengals are more talented and experienced. They will have learned from last year’s meltdown in New York and take care of business in this one.
Game pick: Bengals 31 Jets 20
Week 4: Thursday Night Football vs. Miami Dolphins (8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video)
Announcers: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung
Radio: Westwood One (Ian Eagle, Tony Boselli)
The debut of the White Bengal helmets and Ring of Honor night for Issac Curtis and Willie Anderson also features the first Burrow-Tua matchup in the NFL.
This is a really interesting game. Miami just might be the most interesting team in the NFL with a new head coach (former 49ers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel), new weapon (former Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill) and new expectations. The Dolphins offense could look like that of the 49ers; schematically advanced, a lot of misdirection and heavily utilizing tight end Mike Gesicki.
Miami also now boosts one of the best wide receiver duos in Tyreek Hill joining second-year wideout Jaylen Waddle.
But this game all comes down to Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Can he lift the Dolphins to victory on the road in a hostile environment? Can the Dolphins remade offensive line protect him?
This is not the ideal opponent for the Bengals to play on a short week, but I think they do enough to get to 4-0.
Game pick: Bengals 30 Dolphins 23
Week 5: Sunday Night Football @ Baltimore Ravens (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Announcers: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Radio: Westwood One (Ryan Radtke, Rod Woodson, Ross Tucker)
If you think Pittsburgh wants revenge from their two blowout losses to the Bengals last year, Baltimore may want it even more. After all, they remember Joe Burrow throwing for 525 yards and the Bengals receivers absolutely destroying their secondary.
The Ravens are a much healthier team than they were last year. That said, I’m not sure what the hype about them is. Key depth pieces to their defense last year are gone, and top wide receiver Marquise Brown was traded to Arizona this offseason.
M&T Bank Stadium on a Sunday night is always a tough environment to walk into. But Joe Burrow led LSU to a win in Alabama back in 2019. Playing a prime time game in Baltimore should be no different for Joe Shiesty.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Ravens 31 (Evan McPherson from 52 yards at the gun)
Week 6: @ New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. on CBS)
Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase return to the Bayou for the first time since leading LSU to a memorable national championship in 2019.
The Saints cannot be underestimated. Yes, this is their first year without Sean Payton roaming the sidelines, but this offense still has a great group of skill players in Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara, TreQuan Smith, Jarvis Landry and rookie wideout Chris Olave. In addition, their defense can be stifling.
But the question with the Saints, like the Dolphins, is can quarterback Jameis Winston, coming off a season cut short by a torn ACL, lead this team to wins and the postseason, a place Winston has never been in his career.
Regardless, expect a lot of points in this one.
Game pick: Bengals 38 Saints 31
Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. on FOX)
Atlanta is not a talented team at all, but I really hope we see rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder start for the Falcons in Cincinnati. Other than that, the Bengals should roll in this game.
Game pick: Bengals 45 Falcons 14
Week 8: Monday Night Football @ Cleveland Browns (8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters (Peyton and Eli Manning and select guests on Manning Cast on ESPN2)
Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner)
Joe Burrow makes his Monday Night Football debut on Halloween night against the Bengals in-state rivals.
Browns quarterback DeShaun Watson will not play in this game due to an 11-game suspension. But this is still a division game on the road, so it will likely be a close one.
In addition to having not yet won a Super Bowl, Joe Burrow has also never won against Cleveland. That will change in this game.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Browns 24
Week 9: vs. Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. on FOX)
You might think Carolina is an easy opponent, but not so fast. Quarterback newcomer Baker Mayfield owns a 6-1 record against the Bengals in his career, and running back Christian McCaffrey could be a problem if he’s healthy enough to play.
Game pick: Bengals 35 Panthers 17
Week 11: Sunday Night Football @ Pittsburgh Steelers (8:20 p.m. on NBC)
Announcers: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark
Radio: Westwood One (Ryan Radtke, Rod Woodson, Ross Tucker)
I’m really interested in seeing how Pittsburgh looks in the second meeting between the two teams this season. Who is starting at quarterback for them at this point? Is the offensive line more developed?
Regardless, the Bengals will be walking into a tough environment coming off a bye week. But I think their talent will be just enough to decide this game.
Game pick: Bengals 30 Steelers 27 (Evan McPherson from 39 yards at the gun)
Week 12: @ Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. on CBS)
Joe Burrow can’t get sacked nine times again against the Titans, right? The Bengals offensive line is much improved since that playoff game, and the Titans lost one of their pass rushers in Harold Landry III to a season-ending ACL tear.
The Titans, I feel like, have regressed over the offseason. They lost their number one wide receiver A.J. Brown in a trade to Philadelphia, and there are health questions surrounding running back Derrick Henry. He’s coming off a foot injury that sidelined him for the second half of the regular-season, and he was clearly not 100 percent in the playoff game in January. You always worry about him, but how big of a factor will he be and what kind of performance he will have are two key questions.
Game pick: Bengals 31 Titans 24
Week 13: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (4:25 p.m. on CBS)
The rematch of last year’s AFC Championship has the potential to be a shootout, but I’m feeling weirdly overconfident going into this game. I just don’t think the Chiefs will be as explosive without wide receiver Tyreek Hill. And the Chiefs defense, already suspect, lost safety Tyrann Mathieu during the offseason.
Game pick: Bengals 38 Chiefs 28
Week 14: vs. Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. on CBS)
This divisional matchup could have massive implications, but it all depends on what the Browns record is coming in. DeShaun Watson will play in this game, but what will the Browns record be in the 11 games without him? Regardless, the crowd should be rowdy for this game.
This game will be close, again, but I think the Bengals will win playing at home.
Game pick: Bengals 27 Browns 20
Week 15: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:25 p.m. on CBS)
This could be a potential Super Bowl preview, and sign me for a trip to Florida for a big game late in the season.
My biggest fear in this game, and I believe it’s going to go down to the wire, is Tom Brady having the ball last. I think that will happen, handing the Bengals their first loss of the season.
Game pick: Buccaneers 34 Bengals 31 (Ryan Succop from 30 yards at the gun)
Week 16: @ New England Patriots (Sat. at 1 p.m. on CBS)
In contrast to the Tampa Bay game, this is a terrible time to go to New England. The weather could be terrible on Christmas Eve in Foxborough.
Does Bill Belichick still have “it?” The playoff game against Buffalo in January suggests maybe he doesn’t. And against the Bengals, he can take away Ja’Marr Chase. But that will leave Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, Hayden Hurst, Joe Mixon, you get the point here.
Game pick: Bengals 24 Patriots 17
Week 17: Monday Night Football vs. Buffalo Bills (8:30 p.m. on ESPN/ABC)
Announcers: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters
Radio: Westwood One (Kevin Harlan, Kurt Warner)
This could be the biggest regular-season game in Paycor Stadium history. Both of these teams could have awesome records going in, which would send the anticipation through the roof. And a bunch of Bills fans could make the trip, making for two awesome fanbases squaring off.
As for the game itself, it’s the first Burrow-Allen matchup. In addition, remember Von Miller Bengals fans? Well, you’ll see him again in this marquee game.
Allen’s arm could be a problem for the Bengals secondary, especially with big-time receivers for Allen to throw to.
However, in a big game, I seldom bet against Burrow, and this is one of those times I’m not. Cincinnati will wrap up home field advantage in the AFC with a win.
Game pick: Bengals 38 Bills 35 (Evan McPherson from 30 yards at the gun)
Week 18: vs. Baltimore Ravens (TBD)
If the Bengals do have the number one seed wrapped up heading into this game, I expect them to rest their starters. That means Brandon Allen will start at quarterback, and his last start against the Ravens left much to be desired.
Game pick: Ravens 28 Bengals 14
AFC North Predictions
1. Cincinnati Bengals (15-2)
2. Pittsburgh Steelers (11-6)
3. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)
4. Cleveland Browns (7-10)
AFC Playoff Picks
1. Cincinnati Bengals (15-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (14-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (11-6)
4. Indianapolis Colts (10-7)
5. Las Vegas Raiders (11-6)
6. Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
7. Miami Dolphins (11-6)
NFC Playoff Picks
1. Los Angeles Rams (13-4)
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (13-4)
3. Green Bay Packers (12-5)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
5. San Francisco 49ers (11-6)
6. Minnesota Vikings (11-6)
7. Dallas Cowboys (9-8)
Wild Card
5. Las Vegas Raiders @ 4. Indianapolis Colts (Raiders 27-24)
6. Los Angeles Chargers @ 3. Kansas City Chiefs (Chiefs 35-28)
7. Miami Dolphins @ 2. Buffalo Bills (Bills 48-21)
5. San Francisco 49ers @ 4. Philadelphia Eagles (49ers 31-24)
6. Minnesota Vikings @ 3. Green Bay Packers (Packers 35-24)
7. Dallas Cowboys @ 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Buccaneers 41-21)
Divisional
3. Kansas City Chiefs @ 2. Buffalo Bills (Bills 34-24)
5. Las Vegas Raiders @ 1. Cincinnati Bengals (Bengals 38-21)
3. Green Bay Packers @ 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Buccaneers 31-24)
5. San Francisco 49ers @ 1. Los Angeles Rams (Rams 24-21)
AFC Divisional (Date and Time TBA): 5. Las Vegas at 1. Cincinnati Bengals
Wonder where we have seen this playoff matchup before? Now one year later, these two teams will meet with a trip to the AFC Championship on the line.
The Bengals are a better team than they were in last year’s matchup. The Raiders are too, but their consistency in the regular-season concerns me. They’re also traveling across the country, and who knows how cold it could be.
Game pick: Bengals 38 Raiders 21
Championship
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ 1. Los Angeles Rams (Rams 34-24)
2. Buffalo Bills @ 1. Cincinnati Bengals (Bills 34-31)
AFC Championship: (Jan. 29 at 6:30 p.m. on CBS) 2. Buffalo Bills @ 1. Cincinnati Bengals
Last year the Bengals beat the Chiefs in Cincinnati in week 17. They then beat them four weeks later on the road in the AFC Championship.
This year, the Bengals play the Bills at home in week 17 and could play them again four weeks later. The Bengals are the home team in this game, but I think Buffalo is on a mission. I think, after getting their monkey off their back of beating the Chiefs in the playoffs, they’ll come in with the sole mission of getting to the Super Bowl and winning it.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Bills 31
Super Bowl LVII
2. Buffalo Bills vs. 1. Los Angeles Rams (Bills 34-27)
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 