“Rest Perspective” Won’t Ruin Bengals’ Favorable Schedule
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Everyone loves a hot take in the NFL preseason. After all, much like in professional wrestling, a good storyline makes watching the action unfold in front of you even that much more intriguing. So when NFL analyst Warren Sharp recently declared that the Cincinnati Bengals have a far easier slate of opponents in 2024 versus 2023, that seemed like a fairly innocuous statement.
However, Sharp also said that with “the [NFL] schedule makers screwed” the Bengals because of “a very difficult schedule from a rest perspective,” a hot take viewed by many – and, given the team about which it was said, one could assume, Cincinnati fans.
Bengals last season:
#1 toughest schedule of opponents
11 games vs playoff teams
– most in the NFL since at least 2000
14 games vs teams over .500
– most in the NFL since at least 2000
Joe Burrow made only 5 healthy starts
despite ALL THAT:
9 wins & almost made playoffs pic.twitter.com/FR3J6FEgaK
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) August 8, 2024
Now, I am not – repeat, NOT – here to discredit Mr. Sharp in any capacity. He made several compelling arguments in stating his case.
First, he noted that the Bengals did make the biggest jump in terms of softening the schedule, as compared to last year (in terms of win percentage in 2023). Second, pointed out the Bengals are one of the few teams to play three games in 10 days this season, a stretch which will see them taking on the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, December 9, the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, December 15, before returning home to face the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, December 19.
And last, but certainly not least, two of their opponents (the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2 and Dallas in Week 14) are coming off Thursday night games before taking on the Bengals. They’ll get a few extra days of rest and preparation against Cincinnati, and thus an advantage.
Just what Bengals fans need: More reasons to revel in a “sky is falling” panic attack before the first snap is played.
Luckily, I’m here to offer an alternative narrative, one that points out that the schedule is a positive thing for Cincinnati. Here are three reasons the Bengals’ weirdly-timed schedule might not be as scary as it seems.
‘More Ravens, ‘More Problems?
The Chiefs could be a little banged up coming off a tough season debut. The Chiefs are the defending Super Bowl champions, and the NFL schedule-makers did them no favors in Week 1. Nope, they kick off their season with a marquee matchup against their most recent AFC championship opponents: the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore enters the season with a healthy Lamar Jackson and Mark Andrews, as well as some guy named Derrick Henry. Good luck stopping that offense.
Meanwhile, who do the Bengals draw as their first opponent? The New England Patriots, led by rookie head coach Jerod Mayo and a huge question mark of a starting quarterback. Will it be Jacoby Brissett, Drake Maye, or sixth-round pick Joe Milton III? Who cares. That’s not exactly a murderer’s row calling the shots for New England, so a reasonably winnable game for Cincinnati can offset a few days extra rest for the Chiefs coming off a slugfest with Baltimore.
Mess With Texas?
The ”D” in “Dallas” stands for both “Dak” and “Drama” in 2024. Even the most casual fan knows that the Cowboys have issues heading into the 2024 season. There are twin contract situations between CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons. There’s the Mike “Hot Seat” McCarthy at coach… and then there’s Dak Prescott’s looming free agency.
Who knows where in the world the Cowboys – who may be looking to bring back Ezekiel Elliott at running back after lacking a threat there last season – will be by the time December rolls around?
The Cowboys could be ripe for the picking and reeling in a division with a healthy Daniel Jones leading the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley teaming up with a rejuvenated Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia, and a Washington Commanders team that’s bringing the most excitement to the fanbase since Daniel Snyder sold the team.
If Dallas is an absolute disaster that’s falling apart due to constant drama and scrutiny by Week 14, a few extra days of rest won’t help them.
Are You Experienced? (No.)
The Bengals’ revamped secondary is going to have plenty of opportunity to feast on low-end quarterbacks. Yes, Patrick Mahomes comes to town in Week 2, and facing Jackson twice, Hurts, Prescott, and Justin Herbert isn’t ideal. But most of the season sees Cincinnati running into bad quarterback situations at good times.
We mentioned the Patriots, but Maye isn’t the only top-drafted quarterback Cincinnati could face early. Jayden Daniels could be in for a long Monday night when his Commanders travel to Cincinnati for Week 3. Embattled Bryce Young is next as they take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 4. Who knows what Deshaun Watson will be like in Week 7, or if he’ll even still be playing for the Cleveland Browns.
It doesn’t get that much harder, either. After battling the Eagles in Week 8, Week 9 features the Bengals taking on the Las Vegas Raiders, led by either journeyman Gardner “Globo Gym” Minshew or Aiden “Don’t call me Farva” O’Connell, at home. A detour against Jackson and Herbert is followed by the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, who have quarterback questions of their own, such as “Can these guys even take a clean snap?”
The final stretch of the season doesn’t let up, either. The Bengals get re-matches against Cleveland and Pittsburgh in Weeks 16 and 18. In between those games, they’ll face Tennessee Titans in Week 15 — a time at which Will Levis will likely either be on fire or under fire. Week 17 sees them face the Denver Broncos mess of a QB situation.
Simply put, the Bengals have great opportunities to prey on poor quarterback play and create easier games that leave their top plays more rested than otherwise. Are there some bad breaks in the schedule? Sure. But overall, you can’t complain if you’re a Bengals fan. It’s a long season, and rest might be important, but also, the Bengals spent the last postseason resting at home. They probably would prefer a long, un-restful Super Bowl run instead.
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