Which Weeks Are Cincinnati Bengals Most Likely to Play AFC North Games? The NFL has been gradually releasing matchup details ahead of the full schedule announcement, but none of the early updates have included the Cincinnati Bengals. Fans are turning to historical data to predict the team’s likely schedule for AFC North opponents. A major focus this season is determining how many division games the Bengals will face early in the season, as the Browns, Ravens, and Steelers adjust to new coaching staffs. A strong possibility exists that one of these matchups will occur in the season opener, which is expected to take place at Paycor Stadium. The Bengals have consistently closed their seasons with a divisional game, ending 16 consecutive years with such a matchup. The only exception was 2009, when they faced the Jets instead of a divisional opponent before meeting them again in the Wild Card playoff game. Week 1 is not the most frequent week for divisional games, though it has occurred 10 times in the 24 seasons since the AFC North was formed. While the Bengals have only played divisional openers three times in Zac Taylor’s seven seasons, all three instances have occurred in the last four openers (2025 at Cleveland, 2023 at Cleveland, and 2022 vs. Pittsburgh). However, Week 1 is not the second-most common week for division games. Week 12 stands out as the most likely week for an AFC North matchup, with 13 instances in the past 24 seasons. Six of these occurred in the last nine seasons, including the 2024 season when the Bengals had a bye week. The last nine Week 12 opponents include a mix of divisional teams, with the Steelers and Ravens often appearing in this slot. Week 13 follows closely behind with 12 instances, though it has become a less consistent trend.#cincinnati_reds #cincinnati_bengals #zac_taylor #paycor_stadium #afc_north
