Three Thoughts on the Bengals' 2021 Regular Season Schedule

Cincinnati is hoping to take a big leap forward this season.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals' schedule for the 2021 season was released on Wednesday night. Cincinnati has 17 games, including nine home contests and one primetime matchup against the Jaguars.

Here are three quick observations of the Bengals' 2021 schedule.

Quick Start

There's no reason why the Bengals shouldn't get off to a quick start. If they're going to turn a corner and take a step forward this season, then they better do it in the first eight weeks. 

Starting the season against Kirk Cousins, Andy Dalton [maybe], Ben Roethlisberger and Trevor Lawrence is a gift. Follow that up with Jared Goff and Zach Wilson in Week 6 and Week 8, respectively and the Bengals have a shot to have a winning record eight weeks into the season. 

They won't be favored in many of those games. They'll be home underdogs against Minnesota and Green Bay, but they have an opportunity to get off to a quick start and build momentum in the first half of the season.

For more on the Bengals, including the latest news and breakdowns, subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Road Warriors

If the Bengals are going to surprise people this season, then they're going to have to win on the road. Most of their home games are against playoff teams from a year ago. The Packers, Browns, Steelers, Ravens and Chiefs all went to the postseason in 2020. Mix in teams like the Chargers and 49ers—both are expected to make the playoffs—and it's easy to see the path to another losing season. 

If the Bengals can win on the road against teams like the Bears, Lions, Jets, Raiders and Broncos—it'll do wonders for their chances of playing meaningful games in December and early January. 

Home Stretch

The Bengals play five of their final seven games of the 2021 season at Paul Brown Stadium. Despite being at home, this is arguably their toughest stretch. They go up against six legitimate playoff contenders—including the Steelers, 49ers and Chargers. 

While those games are winnable, their final three games are brutal. They host Baltimore and Kansas City in Weeks 16 and 17, respectively, before finishing the regular season on the road in Cleveland. 

If the Bengals are still in the playoff hunt, then it should be a fun final two months of the season. If they aren't, then they'll almost certainly get a chance to play spoiler. 

For the latest Bengals news and coverage, bookmark AllBengals and check out some of our other articles below.

-----

You May Also Like:

Bengals Playing in One of the Best Games of 2021 According to One Analyst

Cincinnati Bengals 2021 Schedule Revealed

Watch: Tee Higgins Working Out With Adam "Pacman" Jones

Justin Jefferson Brutally Honest About Joe Burrow vs Kirk Cousins

Bengals Bringing in Former Arkansas Tight End for Rookie Minicamp Tryout

Former Pro Bowl RG Trai Turner Reportedly Has Reasonable Asking Price

New Bengals Defensive End Joseph Ossai Could Be a Problem For Opposing QBs

Chad Johnson Refused to Fight Adam "Pacman" Jones in Boxing Match

LOOK: Check out All 10 of the Bengals' Draft Picks in Their New Uniforms

Bengals Expressing Interest in Free Agent Wide Receiver Dede Westbrook

NFL Insider on Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase: "They Better Be Right"

Locked on Bengals: Paul Alexander Discusses His Work With Jackson Carman

Ja'Marr Chase Receives Big-Time Praise: He's a "Special Player"

AllBengals Exclusive: Jim Breech Excited to Watch Evan McPherson

Joseph Ossai Gives Fun Answer When Asked Which QB He Wants to Sack Most

One Analyst Predicted Jackson Carman's Rise Up Draft Boards

Bengals Release Nominees For Inaugural Ring of Honor

A Pick-By-Pick Breakdown of the Bengals' 2021 Draft Class

Bengals Invite Free Agent Speedster to Minicamp

Former NFL Star Buying Stock in the Bengals' Offense

Joe Mixon's Role Could Expand This Season

Analyst Names Bengals' Best and Worst Draft Picks

Chad Johnson is Getting in the Ring

Former NFL Star Sees Bengals' Vision With Ja'Marr Chase

The Lions Tried to Trade Up With the Bengals in 2021 NFL Draft

Analyst Believes Bengals Have One of the Most Improved O-Line Rooms in the NFL

Watch: A Quality Breakdown of New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson

A Closer Look at the Bengals' Decision to Take Ja'Marr Chase Over Penei Sewell

An Inside Look at the Bengals' Pursuit of Second Round OL Jackson Carman

Draft Grades Are In: Here's What the National Media is Saying About the Bengals

A Three Down Look at All Seven Bengals Day 3 Draft Picks

Track EVERY Bengals Undrafted Free Agent Signing Here

Chris Evans Worked on 'The Mixon' At Michigan

Bengals Add Giovani Bernard Replacement at Running Back

Watch: New Bengals Kicker Evan McPherson Made One of the Best Kicks Ever

LSU Reunion: Bengals Take BIG Tyler Shelvin in Round Four

Bengals Bolster Pass Rush With Cam Sample in Fourth Round

Former Bengals Coach Has HIGH Praise for Jackson Carman

Willie Anderson Gives Stamp of Approval on Bengals 2nd Rounder Jackson Carman

Ja'Marr Chase Gives Shoutout to Bengals Super Fan

Passing on Penei: Here's Why Ja'Marr Chase Was the Right Pick

Watch: Ja'Marr Chase Reacts to Emotional Letter From Parents

Ja'Marr Chase Makes BOLD Statement on Draft Night

-----

Be sure to keep it locked on AllBengals all the time!

Subscribe to the AllBengals YouTube channel
Follow AllBengals on Twitter: @AllBengals

Like and follow AllBengals on Facebook


Published
James Rapien
JAMES RAPIEN

James Rapien is the publisher of Bengals On SI. He's also the host of the Locked on Bengals podcast and Cincinnati Bengals Talk on YouTube. The Cincinnati native also wrote a book about the history of the Cincinnati Bengals called Enter The Jungle. Prior to joining Bengals On SI, Rapien worked at 700 WLW and ESPN 1530 in Cincinnati