On March 30, 2021 NFL clubs approved an enhanced season structure that will feature each team playing 17 regular season games and three preseason games for the first time. This is the first change to the season structure since the 1978 campaign ushered in an era of 16 regular season and four preseason games.
The 17th game will feature teams from opposing conferences that finished in the same place within their division the previous season. The AFC was determined to be the home conference for the 17th game in 2021.
The formula for each team's 17-game schedule includes:
- home and away games against its three division opponents (6 games)
- the four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games)
- the four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games)
- three games against conference opponents based on the prior year's standings (3 games)
A look at the Bengals upcoming opponents for the 2021 season and beyond. All opponents are listed in alphabetical order.
2021 Season
HOME
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- Green Bay Packers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- San Francisco 49ers
AWAY
- Baltimore Ravens
- Chicago Bears
- Cleveland Browns
- Denver Broncos
- Detroit Lions
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- New York Jets
2022 Season
HOME
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Carolina Panthers
- Cleveland Browns
- Miami Dolphins
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC West Opponent to be Determined
AWAY
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- New England Patriots
- New Orleans Saints
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- AFC South Opponent to be Determined
- NFC Opponent to be Determined
