Cincinnati Bengals: Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

The Bengals will have the toughest uphill climb to win the division. While they were on the right path last year, there were still some corners to clean up. They still have to catch up to the rest of the division. Can they do so and avoid another year in panic mode?

From Proftooballtalk.com

Week 1: 9/12 vs. Vikings, 1 PM, Fox
Week 2: 9/19 at Bears, 1 PM, Fox
Week 3: 9/26 at Steelers, 1 PM, CBS
Week 4: 9/30 vs. Jaguars, 8:20 PM, NFL
Week 5: 10/10 vs. Packers, 1 PM, Fox
Week 6: 10/17 at Lions,1 PM, Fox
Week 7: 10/24 at Ravens, 1 PM, CBS
Week 8: 10/31 at Jets, 1 PM, CBS
Week 9: 11/7 vs. Browns, 1 PM, CBS
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: 11/21 at Raiders, 4:05 PM, CBS
Week 12: 11/28 vs. Steelers, 1 PM, CBS
Week 13: 12/5 vs. Chargers, 1 PM, Fox
Week 14: 12/12 vs. 49ers, 1 PM, CBS
Week 15: 12/19 at Broncos, 4:05 PM, CBS
Week 16: 12/26 vs. Ravens, 1 PM, CBS
Week 17: 1/2 vs. Chiefs, 1 PM, CBS
Week 18: 1/9 at Browns, 1 PM, CBS

Healthy Joe Burrow

The number one key to the success of the Cincinnati Bengals this season is the health of Joe Burrow. Their schedule won’t be easy but even if it was, their season is made or broke by the young quarterback’s play. He’s got a shiny new toy to throw downfield to in Ja’Maar Chase so his second-year leap is expected to be huge.

More NFL: Baltimore Ravens Panic Mode 2021 Schedule Edition

Tough NFC Start

It will take Joe Burrow a couple of weeks to get back into a full rhythm with his receiving unit. While most of it will be ironed out by the end of camp and preseason, game days will be a lot different. 4 of their first 6 games will be against NFC opponents, and those opponents don’t take defense too lightly. The gamble to not take a veteran as a backup plan will be exposed real quick if Burrow has any lingering pain.

No Easy Finish

The lightest part of their schedule looks to be in the middle. Their playoff push will have to go through teams like the Steelers, Ravens, Chiefs, and Browns. 3 of those teams are divisional opponents but there’s no doubt that the games against the 49ers, Chargers, and Raiders could be just as tough.

While they might not walk away with the worst record in football for the second year in a row, the Bengals may struggle this season. Cincinnati realistically could be one or two more seasons away from catching the rest of the division, but they should make strides in 2021.