During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Cincinnati Bengals most difficult games are the focus.
Cincinnati Bengals Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 15 at Houston Texans
The Houston Texans pose the biggest threat to the Bengals. The Texans went 9-7 last year before being blown out by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Texans made major upgrades at quarterback and running back by signing Brock Osweiler and Lamar Miller. Osweiler was arguably the reason the Denver Broncos were able to make it to the Super Bowl.
This second to last game of the year could decide both the AFC North and the AFC South. Even if it doesn’t decide the conferences, it could very well decide who gets in as a wild card. The Texans have beaten the Bengals four out of the last five times they have met. The defense was scary enough without Jadeveon Clowney playing to his potential. With J.J. Watt anchoring the other side, Andy Dalton will be under pressure all game. Reliant Stadium will be the home to the Bengals hardest game of the season.
2. Week 16 vs Pittsburgh Steelers
The end of the season is brutal for the Bengals. The last three games all have playoff implications. The winner of this game may win the division. Coach Mike Tomlin knows all about gaining momentum heading into the playoffs. The Pittsburgh Steelers probably have this date circled on their calendar. Being a home game stops this from being the hardest game of the year. There are other circumstances that place this game one shy of the hardest games of the year.
3. Week 6 at New England Patriots
If only the Cincinnati Bengals could have got the New England Patriots while Tom Brady was suspended. Brady doesn’t deal with disappointment well, so defenses beware. The Patriots will be full staff and one game under their belt when the Bengals come to town. As a result, Brady’s first home game back will be electric. Not your typical road game and not against your typical Patriots team.
4. Week 17 vs Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens won’t be better than the Steelers. This game ranks harder than the Steelers game because it is the last game of the year. The Ravens might be fighting for a playoff position and they might be playing for nothing. As a result, either scenario is scary for the playoff bound Bengals. With nothing to play for, the Ravens beat the Steelers sandwiched in between four loses. The Ravens defensive line is going to continue to frustrate opposing running backs.
5. Week 2 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers limped into the playoffs with several hurt players. They still were able to end the season in the wild card round against the Bengals. Cincy is 1-5 against the Steelers the last two years. Because Le’Veon Bell is apparently going to miss this game due to suspension, DeAngelo Williams will have to step up. The Steelers appear to be inside the heads of the Bengals, causing too many mental errors. This second game of the season will serve as a measuring stick for both teams.
6. Week 8 vs Washington Redskins
Kirk Cousins is set up to have a break-out year. The addition of Josh Norman makes the secondary one of the best in the league. The defensive line of the Redskins allowed the fewest conversions fewer than two yards. Getting open is going to be hard for the Bengals wide receivers. Washington allows opposing rushers big yardage, but the Bengals will need the receivers in the red zone. Fortunately, this is a home game and the Redskins were 2-6 on the road last year. Watch out, Bengals, if the highly potent ‘Skins receivers finally get on the same page as Cousins.
7. Week 3 vs Denver Broncos
The defense of the Denver Broncos is going to keep them in every game. The Bengals are at home, but they will find points scarce. The big, fast corner backs Aqib Talib and Chris Harris Jr. won’t give receivers any space. Linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware are all-world against the run and pass. The middle of the defense is full of hard hitters. The problem with the Broncos will be the offense. It takes more time for offenses to get it together than defenses. Mark Sanchez should be the starting quarterback and he is wildly inconsistent. This could easily be the most difficult game in 2016 if not for the glaring spotlight on the quarterback.
8. Week 12 at Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are a conference game and they always play the Bengals tough. Winning the last four meetings, the Bengals have history on their side. Due to the Ravens playing with a lot of injuries last season, the backups got a lot of reps. With the stars back and Steve Smith giving it another go, the Ravens should be much improved. The 5-11 Ravens are only four years away from winning a Super Bowl. If Terrell Suggs can return to T-Sizzle, the Ravens will be hard to beat at home.
Be sure and check out the eight easiest games on the Cincinnati Bengals schedule.
