The National Football League realigned its divisional and conference structure in 2002 with the introduction of the Houston Texans as an expansion franchise, and with that adopted a scheduling format that determines the majority of each team's opponents.
The formula for each team's 16-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)
- two games against conference opponents based on the prior year's standings (2 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
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
