Bengals schedule becoming difficult with one significant advantage

Taking a quick look at the Bengals 2018 and how their opponents are performing. There are some advantages Cincinnati has to look forward to.

This is one of those postings that may only interest me — AKA, I’m thinking about something and I answer it via a Chop Block post. There’s very little insight, story structure, or analysis here; just answering random musings from the couch during a stormy Cincinnati afternoon. There might not even be a conclusion; I’ll just stop when I’m finished.

Cincinnati’s schedule is starting to show hints of possible difficulties as the season slowly matures. Does that mean the Bengals can’t go 15-1? Of course not. However, their path to Super Bowl 53 (to hell with roman numerals) has its tribulations.

Bengals opponents (games played and games to be played) have a winning percentage of .563 (25-19-4). Disclaimer: Players and coaches shouldn’t look beyond their current opponent, but we’re neither so this rule doesn’t apply to us — because according to the mothership, we’re “wonks”.

After Atlanta, the Bengals host the undefeated Dolphins (they play the Patriots Sunday so they might not be undefeated next week) and the Steelers, a team that could be winless and still cause Cincinnati anxiety (let’s be honest, they own us). The Bengals travel to an undefeated Kansas City, who have their own challenges against Denver, Jacksonville, and New England before hosting Cincinnati on Oct. 21. The Bengals return home with games against Tampa Bay and New Orleans — two NFC South teams with significant momentum.

Here’s one positive note about their upcoming schedule: After Atlanta, Cincinnati will play six of their next eight games (and seven of their next ten) at home.

Is this way too premature to really contemplate? Totally.

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