NFL Analyst Ranks Bengals with Toughest 4-Game Stretch in 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals are far from pleased with their upcoming schedule, particularly their string of challenging games against the Baltimore Ravens. This year marks the fourth consecutive time the Bengals will play the Ravens on the road in primetime, including three straight short-week Thursday games. This Thanksgiving, the Bengals will face off against the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
However, the Bengals’ frustration goes beyond just the Thanksgiving matchup, as they are given the toughest four-game stretch in the league for the 2025 season, according to Sharp Football Analysis. Warren Sharp, who ranked the most grueling stretches of games for each team, excluded factors like primetime scheduling, travel, and rest. Instead, he focused purely on the strength of the opponents.
The Bengals’ four-game gauntlet starts with that Thanksgiving night road game against the Ravens, followed by a road game at Buffalo the following week. Then, they face a quick rematch against Baltimore before heading to Miami to face the Dolphins.
Sharp didn’t hold back in his critique, writing, “No team plays a tougher four-week stretch than the Bengals this year. It starts with a short-week road game in Baltimore on Thanksgiving, which is tough for any team, especially against the Ravens. Baltimore has defeated the Bengals in each of the last two years on Thursday night.”
Sharp also raised the issue of fairness, questioning why the Bengals have been forced to play in Baltimore on a Thursday night for three straight years. “How is that fair?” Sharp asked.
Other teams also face difficult stretches, with the Cowboys landing the No. 5 spot. They’ll face the Super Bowl champion Eagles, Super Bowl runner-up Chiefs, Lions, and Vikings between Weeks 12-15.
The Pittsburgh Steelers, another AFC North rival, have the No. 4 most difficult stretch, with games against the Bills, Ravens, Dolphins, and Lions from Weeks 13-16.
The Minnesota Vikings come in at No. 3, facing the Eagles, Chargers, Lions, and Ravens from Weeks 7-10.
The New York Giants round out the top two, with a challenging stretch that includes games against the Eagles, Broncos, Eagles again, and 49ers.
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