Michael Hull

The NFL released the Bengals' 2025 season schedule Wednesday night, and there were quite a few notable trends. Here is a brief look at some of the important facts to know.

The Beginning (And The End)

For the second time in the last three years, the Bengals will start and end their season with the same opponent:the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati began the 2023 season in Cleveland, and the Browns came to Paycor Stadium in Week 18 of that campaign. The Bengals went 1-1 against the Browns in 2023.

While it is the second time in three years the Bengals start and end with the Browns, it is also only the second time in franchise history that's happening.

Battle Tested

The Bengals will play seven teams that made the playoffs in 2024 this season, and six of those games will be on the road. The Detroit Lions, the only 2024 playoff team that will visit Cincinnati outside of divisional opponents Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, willcome to town in Week 5.

The Bengals will match up with a playoff team in each of Weeks 3-7, including going on the road toMinnesota (Week 3),Denver (Week 4)andGreen Bay (Week 6).That stretch will conclude with a home game onThursday Night Football against the Steelers in Week 7.

Top Pick Brigade

According toBengals.com Senior Writer Geoff Hobson, number one overall pick QBs have played against each other just nine times in Cincinnati over the past 25 years. That will occur four times in 2025 alone. 2021 first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars come to townfor Open In Orange in Week 2, followed by 2016 first-overall pick Jared Goff andthe Lions in Week 5.

Caleb Williams, the top selection in 2024, comes toPaycor in Week 9, and Kyler Murray leads the team that took him first in 2019,the Arizona Cardinals, into Cincinnati in Week 17.

Road Less Traveled

While Cincinnati will have four of its first six games on the road, the Bengals will travel the fewest miles in the NFL in 2025. They are the only team slated to travel fewer than 10,000 miles and will go 8,753 miles total. The furthest trips will beto Denver in Week 4andto Miami for Week 16.

Prime-time Stripes

The Bengals will play four prime-time games in 2025, three on the road and one at Paycor Stadium against the Steelers inWeek 7 on Thursday Night Football.

The Bengals' first taste of action under the lights will comeat Denver on Monday Night Football in Week 4, and the final prime-time game currently scheduled will be theDolphins on Sunday Night Football in Week 16. Cincinnati will also play on Thanksgiving for the second time in franchise history,traveling to Baltimore as the Thanksgiving nightcap. 2025 marks the fourth straight season where the Bengals will play in Baltimore in prime time.

Homeward Bound

Cincinnati gets nine home games this season, including three straight games at Paycor Stadium heading into the Week 10 bye weekagainst the Steelers,New York JetsandChicago Bears. The Bengals will also finish the season with back-to-back home gamesagainst the Arizona CardinalsandBrowns.

Late Season Tests

"Joevember" will come with a test this season, as the Bengals will battle two of the top teams in the AFC three times over a 17-day stretch. After playing theRavens on Thanksgiving night, Cincinnati will travel to Buffalo to play the 2024 league MVP Josh Allen and the AFC runner-up Buffalo Bills inAmericas Game of the Week on FOX in Week 14.Then, it's time for the Ravens again, asLamar Jackson comes to Cincinnati in Week 15.Hobson points out that the 17 days between bouts with Baltimore is the quickest turnaround for the Bengals playing the same opponent in the regular season since 1986.

Purchase your 2025 Bengals tickets now atbengals.com/tickets.