COLUMBUS, Ohio — I’ve never felt like this entering a Bengals season. Why? Because I truly feel like the Bengals, the team my family has been connected to since their beginning but the team I was always waiting for the other shoe to drop, the Bengals can win the Super Bowl this year.
There’s never been a build-up to a season like there has been this offseason. High expectations, and there isn’t talk of this team being frauds or a fluke. That’s what last season’s run to a near-second straight trip to the Super Bowl proved to everybody; the Bengals are one of the elite teams in the NFL. And they will be for Joe Burrow’s whole career.
This feels sustainable. Not only do the Bengals have a top-five quarterback, game-changing number one wide receiver, a top-10 head coach and a championship-caliber defense, these are players who have high character. Players who have been there, have seen success, have held leadership roles in the past and are great ambassadors for the city.
The Bengals have high expectations for 2023. But unlike last year, there don’t seem to be that many questions about this team. The offensive line is much better suited going into this season than in 2022, and the new-look secondary, from what I have heard and read, has silenced a lot of doubts going into the season.
Let’s go through game-by-game with predictions for the 2023 Bengals. And looking at the big four in the AFC- the Bengals, Bills, Chiefs and Jaguars- I’ll give my schedule predictions the other three teams as well.
Week 1: @ Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m. on CBS (Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn)
When the schedule came out, I was not a fan of this game. The Bengals haven’t beaten the Browns in Cleveland since 2017. And last year’s game on Halloween… yeah, you can see why starting the season at Cleveland isn’t ideal.
But this Bengals team is different than last year’s team. They’re healthier, stronger up front, and two players who can impact this game will be playing: Ja’Marr Chase on offense and D.J. Reader on defense.
This game will be your typical AFC North slugfest. But the Browns are the team with more questions coming in. The Bengals are healthier and are playing with a greater sense of urgency. They also have what it takes to beat the Browns and win a division game on the road in week one.
Game pick: Bengals 23 Browns 17 (1-0)
Week 2: vs. Baltimore Ravens – 1 p.m. on CBS (Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan, AJ Ross)
Starting the season with two straight division games isn’t ideal. The Bengals have done it twice since 2002, going 1-1 both times.
Baltimore, once again, generated a lot of buzz this offseason, and were viewed by some as the biggest threat to the Bengals in the AFC North. As they showed in three games against the Bengals last year, the Ravens can really muck it up against any elite offense in the NFL. We know their defense will be really good, but what about their offense?
The Ravens have two crucial additions to their offense: wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken. They also have quarterback Lamar Jackson now with a massive contract extension in hand. But can he stay healthy?
Can the Ravens, as a whole, stay healthy? Beckham has a lengthy injury history, running back J.K. Dobbins has an injury history, and now cornerback Marlon Humphrey may be out after having foot surgery mid-August.
The Bengals are 10-1 in their last 11 home games and 4-1 in their last five games against the Ravens. Lamar may be great against the Bengals, but Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo knows how to gameplan for him. I think the Bengals, once again, find a way to beat a pesky Ravens team.
Game pick: Bengals 27 Ravens 20 (2-0)
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN (Monday Night Football: Chris Fowler, Louis Riddick, Da Orlovsky, Laura Rutledge)
The long-awaited rematch of Super Bowl LVI. The big thing here is the Rams are a much different team than that night in L.A.. Given, the stars are still there. But the Rams are not the same team that edged the Bengals for the Lombardi Trophy. The Bengals are mostly the same team, ad they’ve upgraded at the one position that played a large role in falling just short at the end of that game: the offensive line. That’s the difference here.
Game pick: Bengals 37 Rams 21 (3-0)
Week 4: @ Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. on FOX (Adam Amin, Mark Schlereth, Kristina Pink)
When the schedule came out, this was probably viewed as an easy win. However, I never thought about it that way. The Titans are a tough team. No win against them over the last three seasons has come easy.
And now, the Titans are certainly a much better team with them signing wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. Plus, they still have Derrick Henry, they’re still really strong up front on defense and, most importantly, this team knows who they are.
The Bengals have the better quarterback, and they have beaten the Titans with far less talent than they have going into 2023. That’s why they’ll win this game, but it’s not going to be a CMA-award winning performance that leads the Bengals to a win in this game.
Game pick: Bengals 28 Titans 21 (4-0)
Week 5: @ Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 p.m. on FOX
Please, do not lose this game. This game gives me major flashbacks to the Jets game in 2021. Yes, Kyler Murray may make his season debut 10 months after tearing his ACL. But there’s no reason for the Bengals to lose this game.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Cardinals 10 (5-0)
Week 6: vs. Seattle Seahawks – 1 p.m. on CBS
Now this game will be close. Seattle is a really good team, one that has gotten better since the 9-8 team they had last year that just scraped into the Playoffs. I worry about the Bengals secondary against Seattle’s great duo at wide receiver in Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. And their defense, an Achilles heel for years, got better this offseason by welcoming back Bobby Wagner and drafting Devon Witherspoon with the fifth overall pick.
This will be a great test for the Bengals; right before the bye week with a taste of what they’re going to be in for over the second half of the season. I do see the Bengals winning this game, and I think a Burrow-to-Chase touchdown sounds ripe for the win.
Game pick: Bengals 31 Seahawks 27 (6-0)
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: @ San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 p.m. (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
I always say the team with the better quarterback will win more games than not. But this is one where I don’t think the better quarterback and his team will win the game. The 49ers roster is so talented at every position that it doesn’t matter who will play quarterback for them.
Game pick: 49es 31 Bengals 28 (Robbie Gould hits from 40 yards as time expires) (6-1)
Week 9: vs. Buffalo Bills – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark)
Teams who played the 49ers in the 2022 regular season went 0-15-1 in their next game. But that was last year.
Now, this is still a very big game. The winner of this game will have an inside track to the number one seed, potentially. And the Bengals need all the tiebreakers they can get.
This has the makings of a classic. Both offenses and defenses are great. But I’ll take the better quarterback, the one who will make the fewest mistakes, in Joe Burrow.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Bills 31 (Evan McPherson hits from 39 yards as time expires)
(7-1)
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans – 1 p.m. on CBS
I would not overlook this game. Houston is going to be much-improved, and they have always given the Bengals trouble. This is the epitome of a trap game right after a big prime time home game and a big prime time road game against a division opponent.
Game pick: Bengals 28 Texans 21 (8-1)
Week 11: @ Baltimore Ravens – 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung)
Baltimore at home in prime time is as tough as it gets. These two teams know each other so well, it almost feels inevitable they’re going to split the season-series in the regular season.
Game pick: Ravens 20 Bengals 17 (Justin Tucker hits from 47 yards as time expires) (8-2)
Week 12: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m. on CBS
There was a time when Steeler week would give Bengals fans that feeling of “how are we going to blow it this time?” But ever since that Monday night in December of 2020, th tide has turned in this rivalry.
Even when Burrow threw four interceptions in the season-opening loss to Pittsburgh last season, I still felt like Burrow was going to find a way to will the Bengals to a win. And then he did just that in Pittsburgh, playing without Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Mixon.
Pittsburgh could be improved this season, and you know they will brig an element of physicality. But playing on a mini bye, the Bengals will be well-rested and I think they will roll in this game.
Game pick: Bengals 41 Steelers 21 (9-2)
Week 13: @ Jacksonville Jaguars – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN (Monday Night Football: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters)
We know Burrow-Mahomes is the best quarterback rivalry in football. But Burrow and Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence could form a new rivalry here. The last time they played was in prime time in 2021, and the Bengals won 24-21 after rallying from a 14-0 halftime deficit. I thought Lawrence looked great in that game, and I think it’s great he has his career on track now.
This is Jacksonville’s first Monday Night home game since 2011. The crowd will be alive for this game. Can the Bengals do what Tom Brady and the Patriots did so many times which is go on the road, silence the crowd and take care of business. I think they do, courtesy of a game-winning touchdown from Burrow to Tee Higgins.
Game pick: Bengals 31 Jaguars 28 (10-2)
Week 14: vs. Indianapolis Colts – 1 p.m. on CBS
I know this game is on a short week, but the Bengals should roll in this game. Anthony Richardson is an exciting talent at quarterback, but the Colts roster doesn’t have any other players that should have the Bengals coaching staff and their fans worried. Joe Burrow will have a Happy Birthday indeed.
Game pick: Bengals 45 Colts 17 (11-2)
Week 15: vs. Minnesota Vikings – TBD
Minnesota is one of those teams where it’s easy to say they will regress. They lost three key offensive pieces, but they still have Kirk Cousins and Justin Jefferson. In addition, new defensive coordinator Brian Flores should really be able to improve the defense and make them much more aggressive than they were in 2022.
This game hasn’t been announced as to when it will be payed in week 15. It could be on Saturday, making it a stand-alone game. I like there to be some offensive fireworks in this game with the Bengals coming out on top.
Game pick: Bengals 34 Vikings 27 (12-2)
Week 16: @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 4:30 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football on Saturday, December 23rd: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark)
This game is going to be a three-hour root canal. Not just because it’s Pittsburgh. But because it’s on the road at Pittsburgh, in prime time, in late December- meaning the weather could be awful.
This is not a trap game. Pittsburgh could be playing for something desperate- that sounds scary. But this Bengals team is built to win against Pittsburgh, including on the road.
Game pick: Bengals 24 Steelers 21 (Evan McPherson hits from 38 yard as time expires)
(13-2)
Week 17: @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
The entire season is a build-up to this game. The season will crescendo in this game.
What more could you ask for? New Year’s Eve. Bengals-Chiefs, playing for who knows what in this game.
Here’s the thing about Joe Burrow: he will not let what happened in the AFC Championship last season happen again. When there is revenge at stake, the Bengals will win. It’s in Joe Burrow’s DNA. There’s not only a sense of urgency within this Bengals team, but there’s also a chip on their shoulders. They want to prove to everybody the kind of team they are. They’ll have the league’s respect after this game.
Game pick: Bengals 37 Chiefs 34 (Evan McPherson hits from 47 yards as time expires)
(14-2)
Week 18: vs. Cleveland Browns – TBD (15-2)
As you’ll see further down, I think the Bengals will need to win this game to clinch the number one seed in the AFC. I have no doubt they’ll take care of business.
Game pick: Bengals 27 Bowns 20
AFC Playoff Predictions
1. Cincinnati Bengals (15-2)
2. Buffalo Bills (14-3)
3. Kansas City Chiefs (13-4)
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (12-5)
5. Miami Dolphins (12-5)
6. New York Jets (12-5)
7. Los Angeles Chargers (10-7)
NFC Playoff Predictions
1. San Francisco 49ers (15-2)
2. Dallas Cowboys (12-5)
3. New Orleans Saints (12-5)
4. Minnesota Vikings (11-6)
5. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6)
6. Seattle Seahawks (11-6)
7. Detroit Lions (9-8)
Super Wild Card Weekend
5. Dolphins over 4. Jaguars
3. Chiefs over 6. Jets
2. Bills over 7. Chargers
5. Eagles over 4. Vikings
3. Saints over 6. Seahawks
2. Cowboys over 7. Lions
Divisional
1. Bengals over 5. Dolphins
2, Bills over 3. Chiefs
1. 49ers over 5. Eagles
2. Cowboys over 3. Saints
Championship
1. Bengals over 2. Bills
2. Cowboys over 1. 49ers
Super Bowl LVIII: Bengals 34 Cowboys 31 (Burrow-to-Chase on a 50-yard touchdown for the win)
Few things here: I think the Jets do live up to the hype and make the Playoffs. But I really like Miami, so much so I think they can win a playoff game. In the NFC, I think Detroit lives up to the hype and makes the Playoffs, but the NFC will be stronger this year.
Next, I think Buffalo finally knocks off Kansas City this season. I also think the Cowboys finally get back to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1995. Not only that, I have the Cowboys advancing to the Super Bowl.
But here’s the biggest thing: for the first time ever, I am picking the Bengals. My beloved hometown team, the team my family has grown up rooting for and has had season tickets since 1968. I believe this Bengals team is going to win the Super Bowl. I think this is the year.
BONUS: Keeping an Eye on Things in the AFC
There’s a big four in the AFC, and I think it will be that way for the next decade-plus. There’s the Bengals, the Chiefs, the Bills and now Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars. Any matchup between two of these teams can produce a classic. Here are my schedule predictions for the Chiefs, Bills and Jaguars.
Chiefs Schedule Predictions
Week 1: vs. Detroit Lions – 8:20 p.m. (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) WIN 38-24 (1-0)
Week 2: @ Jacksonville Jaguars – 1 p.m. on CBS (Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn) WIN 28-21 (2-0)
Week 3: vs. Chicago Bears – 4:25 p.m. on FOX (Kevin Burkhardt, Greg Olson, Erin Andrews, Tom Rinaldi) WIN 45-17 (3-0)
Week 4: @ New York Jets – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) LOSS 31-28 (3-1)
Week 5: @ Minnesota Vikings – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 27-24 (4-1)
Week 6: vs. Denver Broncos – 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung) WIN 38-24 (5-1)
Week 7: vs Los Angeles Chargers – 4:25 p.m. on CBS LOSS 31-24 (5-2)
Week 8: @ Denver Broncos – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-27 (6-2)
Week 9: vs. Miami Dolphins in Germany – 9:30 p.m. on NFL Network WIN 31-24 (7-2)
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC (Monday Night Football: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters) WIN 35-24 (8-2)
Week 12: @ Las Vegas Raiders – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-24 (9-2)
Week 13: @ Green Bay Packers – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) WIN 31-24 (10-2)
Week 14: vs. Buffalo Bills – 4:25 p.m. on CBS LOSS 34-31 (Tyler Bass hits from 42 yards as time expires) (10-3)
Week 15: @ New England Patriots – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN (Monday Night Football: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters) WIN 24-17 (11-3)
Week 16: vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1 p.m. on CBS (Christmas Day: Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson) WIN 41-17 (12-3)
Week 17: vs. Cincinnati Bengals – 4:25 p.m. on CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson) LOSS 37-34 (Evan McPherson hits from 47 yards as time expires) (12-4)
Week 18: @ Los Angeles Chargers – TBD WIN 31-28 (13-4)
Bills Schedule Predictions
Week 1: @ New York Jets – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN/ABC (Monday Night Football: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters) WIN 24-17 (1-0)
Wek 2: vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 48-17 (2-0)
Week 3: @ Washington Commanders – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 31-20 (3-0)
Week 4: vs. Miami Dolphins – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-24 (4-0)
Week 5: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 9:30 a.m. in London LOSS 34-27 (4-1)
Week 6: vs. New York Giants – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) WIN 31-21 (5-1)
Week 7: @ New England Patriots – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-30 (6-1)
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung) WIN 35-20 (7-1)
Week 9: @ Cincinnati Bengals – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) LOSS 34-31 (Evan McPherson hits from 38 yards as time expires) (7-2)
Week 10: vs. Denver Broncos – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters) WIN 28-21 (8-2)
Week 11: vs. New York Jets – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 24-17 (9-2)
Week 12: @ Philadelphia Eagles – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-27 (10-2)
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: @ Kansas City Chiefs – 4:25 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-31 (Tyler Bass hits from 42 yards as time expires) (11-2)
Week 15: vs. Dallas Cowboys – 4:25 p.m. on FOX WIN 35-24 (12-2)
Week 16: @ Los Angeles Chargers – 8 p.m. on Peacock WIN 37-31 (13-2)
Week 17: vs. New England Patriots – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 35-24 (14-2)
Week 18: @ Miami Dolphins – TBD LOSS 31-24 (15-2)
Jaguars Schedule Predictions
Week 1: @ Indianapolis Colts – 1 p.m. on FOX (Kenny Albert, Jonathan Vilma, Shannon Spake) LOSS 27-20 (0-1)
Week 2: vs. Kansas City Chiefs – 1 p.m. on CBS (Ian Eagle, Charles Davis, Evan Washburn) LOSS 28-21 (0-2)
Week 3: vs. Houston Texans – 1 p.m. on FOX (Chirs Myers, Robert Smith, Jennifer Hale) WIN 31-17 (1-2)
Week 4: vs. Atlanta Falcons in London – 9:30 a.m. on ESPN+ WIN 34-24 (2-2)
Week 5: @ Buffalo Bills in London – 9:30 a.m. on NFL Network WIN 34-27 (3-2)
Week 6: vs. Indianapolis Colts – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 30-23 (4-2)
Week 7: @ New Orleans Saints – 8:15 p.m. on Amazon Prime Video (Thursday Night Football: Al Michaels, Kirk Herbstreit, Kaylee Hartung) LOSS 31-24 (4-3)
Week 8: @ Pittsburgh Steelers – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-27 (5-3)
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers – 1 p.m. on FOX WIN 33-30 (6-3)
Week 11: vs. Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 28-21 (7-3)
Week 12: @ Houston Texans – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 35-24 (8-3)
Week 13: vs. Cincinnati Bengals – 8:15 p.m. on ESPN (Monday Night Football: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Lisa Salters) LOSS 31-28 (Burrow to Higgins touchdown for the win) (8-4)
Week 14: @ Cleveland Browns – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 27-24 (9-4)
Week 15: vs. Baltimore Ravens – 8:20 p.m. on NBC (Sunday Night Football: Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark) WIN 31-27 (10-4)
Week 16: @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 4:05 p.m. on CBS WIN 37-21 (11-4)
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers – 1 p.m. on CBS WIN 34-28 (12-4)
Week 18: @ Tennessee Titans – TBD LOSS 30-23 (12-5)
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 