2017 Cincinnati Bengals season
OwnerMike Brown
Head coachMarvin Lewis
Home fieldPaul Brown Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place3rd AFC North
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersWR A. J. Green
DT Geno Atkins
Uniform

The 2017 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League, their 50th overall and their 15th under head coach Marvin Lewis. After starting 0–2, scoring only 9 points, and not scoring any touchdowns in their first two games, the Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese. Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Zampese.[1] The Bengals suffered back to back losing seasons for the first time since 2007–2008. However, the Bengals were able to knock off two teams contending for the playoffs at the end of their season, the Detroit Lions in Week 16, and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 which helped the Buffalo Bills reach the postseason for the first time since 1999.

Offseason

Free agents

Unrestricted

Position Player 2017 Team Date signed Contract
WR Brandon LaFell Cincinnati Bengals March 8[2] 2 years, $10 million
CB Dre Kirkpatrick Cincinnati Bengals March 9[3] 5 years, $52.5 million
LB Karlos Dansby Arizona Cardinals March 9[4] 1 year, $2 million
OT Andrew Whitworth Los Angeles Rams March 9[5] 3 years, $36 million
OG Kevin Zeitler Cleveland Browns March 9[6] 5 years, $60 million
DT Domata Peko Denver Broncos March 11[7] 2 years, $7.5 million
RB Rex Burkhead New England Patriots March 14[8] 1 year, $3.15 million
CB Chykie Brown
DE Margus Hunt Indianapolis Colts March 14[9] 2 years, $4.1 million
RB Cedric Peerman Cincinnati Bengals March 23[10] 1 year, $1.15 million

Restricted and Exclusive-Rights

Position Player Tag 2017 Team Date signed Contract
C T.J. Johnson RFA Cincinnati Bengals March 17[11] 2 years, $3.475M

Signings

Position Player 2016 team Date signed Contract
LB Kevin Minter Arizona Cardinals March 20[12] 1 year, $4.25 million
OT Andre Smith Minnesota Vikings March 14[13] 1 year, $3.25 million

Departures

Position Player 2017 team Contract
WR James Wright
LB Rey Maualuga Miami Dolphins 1 year, $980K
DT Brandon Thompson
DE Wallace Gilberry
OT Eric Winston

Draft

Main article: 2017 NFL Draft
2017 Cincinnati Bengals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 9 John Ross  WR Washington
2 48 Joe Mixon  RB Oklahoma
3 73 Jordan Willis  DE Kansas State
4 116 Carl Lawson  DE Auburn
4 128 Josh Malone  WR Tennessee
4 138 Ryan Glasgow  DT Michigan Compensatory pick
5 153 Jake Elliott  K Memphis
5 176 J. J. Dielman  C Utah Compensatory pick
6 193 Jordan Evans  LB Oklahoma
6 207 Brandon Wilson  CB Houston Compensatory pick
7 251 Mason Schreck  TE Buffalo Compensatory pick
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Staff

2017 Cincinnati Bengals staff

Front office

  • President/general manager – Mike Brown
  • Senior vice president of player personnel – Pete Brown
  • Executive vice president – Katie Blackburn
  • Vice president of player personnel – Paul Brown
  • Director of player personnel – Duke Tobin

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

Final roster

2017 Cincinnati Bengals final roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Tight ends

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Special teams

Reserve lists


Practice squad


Rookies in italics
 53 active, 13 inactive, 10 practice squad

Preseason

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 11 Tampa Bay Buccaneers W 23–12 1–0 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
2 August 19 Kansas City Chiefs L 12–30 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 August 27 at Washington Redskins L 17–23 1–2 FedExField Recap
4 August 31 at Indianapolis Colts L 6–7 1–3 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap

Regular season

Schedule

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 Baltimore Ravens L 0–20 0–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
2 September 14 Houston Texans L 9–13 0–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 24 at Green Bay Packers L 24–27 (OT) 0–3 Lambeau Field Recap
4 October 1 at Cleveland Browns W 31–7 1–3 FirstEnergy Stadium Recap
5 October 8 Buffalo Bills W 20–16 2–3 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
6 Bye
7 October 22 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–29 2–4 Heinz Field Recap
8 October 29 Indianapolis Colts W 24–23 3–4 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
9 November 5 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 7–23 3–5 EverBank Field Recap
10 November 12 at Tennessee Titans L 20–24 3–6 Nissan Stadium Recap
11 November 19 at Denver Broncos W 20–17 4–6 Sports Authority Field at Mile High Recap
12 November 26 Cleveland Browns W 30–16 5–6 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
13 December 4 Pittsburgh Steelers L 20–23 5–7 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
14 December 10 Chicago Bears L 7–33 5–8 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
15 December 17 at Minnesota Vikings L 7–34 5–9 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
16 December 24 Detroit Lions W 26–17 6–9 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
17 December 31 at Baltimore Ravens W 31–27 7–9 M&T Bank Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens

Week One: Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 14 3020
Bengals 0 0 000

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals started the season at home against the Ravens. In the first quarter, the Ravens scored as Justin Tucker kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would increase their lead in the second quarter when Joe Flacco found Jeremy Maclin on a 48-yard pass to make it 10–0. This would be followed up by a 2-yard touchdown run by Terrence West to make the score 17–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Ravens would go back to work with Tucker kicking yet another 25-yard field goal to make the score 20–0. A scoreless fourth quarter made this the eventual final score of the game.

With the loss, the Bengals started their season 0–1. This is the team's first shut-out loss at home since 2001.

Andy Dalton set a new career high for total turnovers in a game with 5 (4 interceptions, 1 lost fumble)

Week 2: vs. Houston Texans

Week Two: Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Texans 3 7 0313
Bengals 0 6 309

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

The Bengals stayed home for a Thursday Night duel against the Texans. In the first quarter the Texans jumped out to an early lead when Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Bengals tied it up in the second quarter when Randy Bullock kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–3. Though the Texans would then retake the lead when DeShaun Watson ran for a 49-yard touchdown to make it 10–3. Bullock closed out the first half scoring with a 29-yard field goal to make it 10–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals went back to work when Bullock kicked a 30-yard field goal to get his team within a point making the score 10–9. In the fourth quarter, the Texans moved ahead by 4 after Fairbairn kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 13–9. The Bengals tried to come back with seconds left but after a failed fourth down conversion attempt, the Texans were able to seal the victory.

With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 0–2. This would be the team's first 0–2 start since 2008. They are also the first team to open a season with two home games without scoring a touchdown since the 1939 Eagles.

Week 3: at Green Bay Packers

Week Three: Cincinnati Bengals at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34OTTotal
Bengals 7 14 03024
Packers 7 0 710327

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

The Bengals traveled Lambeau Field to take on the Packers. In the first quarter, the Bengals scored first when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on a 10-yard pass to make it 7–0. Though the Packers would respond by tying the game up at 7–7 when Aaron Rodgers found Lance Kendricks on a 1-yard pass. In the second quarter, it was all Bengals when Dalton found Giovani Bernard on a 6-yard pass to make it 14–7. This would be followed up by Cornerback William Jackson III intercepting Rodgers and returning it 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 21–7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Packers got to work as Rodgers would find Jordy Nelson on a 1-yard pass to make it 21–14. They would draw closer in the fourth quarter after Mason Crosby kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it 21–17. The Bengals then moved ahead by a touchdown again after Randy Bullock kicked a 46-yard field goal to make it 24–17. However, the Packers tied it up later on when Rodgers and Nelson connected again this time on a 3-yard pass to make it 24–24. In overtime, the Bengals won the toss but went three-and-out. After the Packers got the ball, Rodgers found Geronimo Allison on a 72-yard pass that set up Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal from 27 yards out to make the final score 27–24.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–3. The team would face their first 0–3 start since 2008.

Week 4: at Cleveland Browns

Week Four: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 21 10031
Browns 0 0 077

at FirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

  • Date: October 1
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
  • Game weather: 63 °F (17 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 67,431
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

After a tough loss, the Bengals traveled to Cleveland to take on the Browns in Round 1 of Battle of Ohio. After a scoreless first quarter, the Bengals got to work in the second quarter when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on a 7-yard pass to make the score 7–0. Dalton would then find Tyler Kroft on a 3-yard pass to make it 14–0. Then Dalton would find Giovani Bernard on a 61-yard pass to make it 21–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals increased their lead when Randy Bullock nailed a 41-yard field goal to make it 24–0. This would be followed by Dalton's fourth touchdown pass of the day as he found Kroft again this time on a 16-yard pass to make it 31–0. In the fourth quarter, the Browns got the final points of the game when Duke Johnson ran for a 1-yard touchdown making the final score 31–7.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 1–3.

Week 5: vs. Buffalo Bills

Week Five: Buffalo Bills at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bills 3 7 3316
Bengals 7 3 01020

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

After a huge road win, the Bengals returned home for a game against the Bills. The Bengals would draw first blood in the first quarter when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on a 77-yard pass to make it 7–0. The Bills scored a field goal later on in the quarter when Stephen Hauschka kicked a 31-yard field goal to make it 7-3. The Bengals moved up by a touchdown in the second quarter when Randy Bullock nailed a 30-yard field goal to make it 10–3. Though the Bills would tie it up later on in the quarter when Tyrod Taylor connected with Brandon Tate for a 12-yard pass making the score 10–10 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bills moved into the lead with another field goal from Hauschka. This was from 38 yards out to make the score 13–10. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals retook the lead when Joe Mixon ran for a 5-yard touchdown making it 17–13. Hauschka got the Bills closer with a 28-yard field goal to make it 17–16. Though later on, Bullock kicked a 29-yard field goal making the score 20–16. This would be the eventual final score of the game.

With the win, the Bengals went into their bye week at 2–3.

Week 7: at Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Seven: Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 0014
Steelers 7 13 6329

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • Date: October 22
  • Game time: 4:25 pm. EDT
  • Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), sunny
  • Game attendance: 65,363
  • Referee: Bill Vinovich
  • TV announcers (CBS): Jim Nantz, Tony Romo and Tracy Wolfson
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

Coming off their bye week, the Bengals traveled to Pittsburgh for Game 1 against the division rival Steelers. The Steelers would score first when Ben Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on a 7-yard pass to make it 7–0. Though later on in the quarter, the Bengals would tie it up when Andy Dalton found Brandon LaFell on a 6-yard pass to make it a 7–7 game. In the second quarter, the Steelers moved back into the lead when Roethlisberger found JuJu Smith-Schuster on a 31-yard pass to make it 14–7. But the Bengals tied it up again when Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass making it 14–14. The Steelers closed the half with 2 field goals kicked by Chris Boswell: From 22 and 24 yards out to retake the lead 17–14 and then make it 20–14 at halftime. In the highly defensive second half, the Steelers managed to score more field goals starting in the third quarter when Boswell went for 2 more: From 41 and 49 yards out to increase the Steelers' lead from 9 to 12 and making the score change from 23–14 to 26–14. In the last quarter, the Steelers would pretty much seal the game when Boswell hit his fifth field goal of the game from 29-yards out to make the final score 29–14.

With their fifth straight loss to the Steelers, the Bengals dropped to 2–4.

Week 8: vs. Indianapolis Colts

Week Eight: Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Colts 0 13 7323
Bengals 3 7 7724

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: October 29
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EDT
  • Game weather: 39 °F (4 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 57,901
  • Referee: Jerome Boger
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes and Adam Archuleta
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

After a tough loss, the Bengals returned home for a game against the Colts. The Bengals jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter when Randy Bullock kicked a 29-yard field goal to make it 3–0. This would be the only score of the quarter. In the second quarter the Colts scored 10 unanswered points and took the lead when at first they would tie it up with Adam Vinatieri's 29-yard field goal to make it 3–3 followed up by Jacoby Brissett finding Jack Doyle on a 13-yard pass to make it 10–3. The Bengals tied it up later on in the quarter when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on an 8-yard pass to make it 10–10. But the Colts would move ahead at halftime with Vinatieri finishing up with a 33-yard field goal to make it 13–10. In the third quarter, the Bengals retook the lead 17–13 when Dalton found Josh Malone on a 25-yard pass. Though the Colts took the lead back afterwards when Brissett found Marlon Mack on a 24-yard pass making it 20–17. In the fourth quarter, the Colts increased their lead when Vinatieri kicked yet another 29-yard field goal to make it 23–17. Though the Bengals would eventually seal the victory when Brissett was intercepted by Carlos Dunlap and it was returned for a 16-yard touchdown to make the final score 24–23.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 3–4.

Week 9: at Jacksonville Jaguars

Week Nine: Cincinnati Bengals at Jacksonville Jaguars – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 7 007
Jaguars 3 10 3723

at EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida

Game information

After winning at home, the Bengals traveled down south to take on the Jaguars. The Jags scored first in the first quarter when Josh Lambo kicked a 32-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would make it 10–0 in the second quarter when Blake Bortles found Marqise Lee on a 3-yard pass. The Bengals got on the board coming within 3 as Joe Mixon ran for a 7-yard touchdown making the score 10–7. However, the Jags pulled away with Lambo's 56-yard field goal to make it 13–7 at halftime. In the second half it was all Jags as they scored in the third quarter with Lambo hitting his third field goal of the day from 25 yards out to make it 16–7. In the fourth quarter, they would wrap up the scoring of the game with Jaydon Mickens 63-yard punt return for a touchdown and the final score 23–7.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 3–5.

The game was notable seeing A. J. Green getting ejected in the second quarter after fighting with Jacksonville's Jalen Ramsey, who was also ejected.

Week 10: at Tennessee Titans

Week Ten: Cincinnati Bengals at Tennessee Titans – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 6 7 0720
Titans 7 10 0724

at Nissan Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee

Game information

After a tough loss, the Bengals traveled further north to take on the Titans. The Titans drew first blood in the first quarter when DeMarco Murray ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 7–0. The Bengals then got on the board when Andy Dalton found Brandon LaFell on a 37-yard pass (with a failed PAT) to make it 7–6. The Titans managed to pull away in the second quarter when Murray ran for a 2-yard touchdown to make it 14–6. The Bengals came within 1 again when Joe Mixon ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 14–13. The Titans then closed out the half with Ryan Succop's 44-yard field goal to make it 17–13 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter, the Bengals took the lead in the fourth quarter when Dalton found A. J. Green on a 70-yard pass to make it 20–17. Though the Titans were able to complete the comeback when Murray ran for his third touchdown of the day: From 7 yards out to make it 24–20 sealing the win.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 3–6.

Week 11: at Denver Broncos

Week Eleven: Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 6 7 0720
Broncos 7 0 3717

at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Game information

After a tough road loss, the Bengals traveled west to take on the Broncos. In the first quarter, they would score first when Andy Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass (with a failed PAT) to make it 6–0. The Broncos then took the lead when C.J. Anderson ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 7–6. In the second quarter, the Bengals moved back into the lead when Dalton found Alex Erickson on a 29-yard pass to make it 13–7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Broncos came within 3 when Brandon McManus kicked a 45-yard field goal to make it 13–10. Though in the fourth quarter, the Bengals moved up by double digits when Dalton found A. J. Green on an 18-yard pass to make it 20–10. The Broncos then concluded the scoring of the game when Brock Osweiler found Demaryius Thomas on a 17-yard pass to make the final score 20–17.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 4–6. The team also won against the Broncos in Denver for the first time since 1975.

Week 12: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week Twelve: Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 3 3716
Bengals 7 9 7730

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

  • Date: November 26
  • Game time: 1:00 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 46 °F (8 °C), partly cloudy
  • Game attendance: 51,710
  • Referee: John Hussey
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon and James Lofton
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

After winning on the road, the Bengals returned home for Game 2 of the Battle of Ohio. In the first quarter, the Browns took an early lead when Zane Gonzalez kicked a 27-yard field goal to make it 3–0. Though the Bengals took the lead when Andy Dalton found Tyler Boyd on an 8-yard pass to make it 7–3. In the second quarter, the Bengals increased their lead with 3 straight field goals kicked by Randy Bullock: From 31, 49, and 21 yards out to make the score 10–3, 13–3, and 16–3. Gonzalez managed to get the Browns closer with a 21-yard field goal of his own to make it 16–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals pulled away as Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass to make it 23–6. Gonzalez managed to put to get the Browns within 2 touchdowns when he kicked his third field goal of the game: from 39 yards out to make it 23–9. The Browns came within a touchdown when DeShone Kizer ran for a 3-yard touchdown to make it 23–16. However, the Bengals sealed the game when Joe Mixon ran for an 11-yard touchdown to make the final score 30–16.

Against the Browns, Joe Mixon had a career day, rushing for 114 yards and a touchdown, the first 100-yard game of his young career. With the win and 7th straight over the Browns, the Bengals went to 5–6.

Week 13: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week Thirteen: Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 3 71323
Bengals 10 7 3020

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

After winning on the road, the Bengals returned home for Game 2 against the Steelers. The Bengals scored first in the first quarter when Randy Bullock kicked a 35-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would make it 10–0 later on in the quarter when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on an 8-yard pass. In the second quarter, the Bengals scored again when Dalton found Green again on a 15-yard pass to make it 17–0. The Steelers got their only points of the first half when Chris Boswell kicked a 30-yard field goal to make it 17–3 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Steelers were able to come within a touchdown when Ben Roethlisberger found Le'Veon Bell on a 35-yard pass to make it 17–10. However, the Bengals moved back ahead by double digits when Bullock kicked a 41-yard field goal to make it 20–10. In the fourth quarter, it was all Steelers when Boswell kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score 20–13. This would be followed up by tying the game at 20–20 when Roethlisberger found Antonio Brown on a 6-yard pass. Finally, the Steelers were able to seal the victory with seconds left when Boswell kicked the game-winning 38-yard field goal to make the final score 23–20.

With their 6th straight loss to the Steelers, the Bengals fell to 5–7.

Week 14: vs. Chicago Bears

Week Fourteen: Chicago Bears at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bears 6 6 71433
Bengals 7 0 007

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

After a tough loss at home, the Bengals would remain at home for a game against the Bears. In the first quarter, the Bears took an early lead when Jordan Howard ran for a 21-yard touchdown (with a failed PAT) to make it 6–0. The Bengals however took the lead later on in the quarter when Andy Dalton found Brandon LaFell on a 14-yard pass to make it 7–6. The Bears retook the lead in the second quarter when Mike Nugent kicked 2 field goals: From 34 and 27 yards out to make it 9–7 and then 12–7 at halftime. The Bears then shut out the Bengals the entire second half while they score themselves: In the third quarter Mitchell Trubisky ran for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 19–7 for the only score of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, they wrapped up the scoring when Trubisky found Adam Shaheen on a 1-yard pass to make it 26–7. Howard then ran for an 8-yard touchdown to make the final score 33–7.

With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 5–8. The team is also assured their second straight non-winning season.

Week 15: at Minnesota Vikings

Week Fifteen: Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 0 077
Vikings 17 7 3734

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

The Bengals traveled to Minneapolis to take on the Vikings. The Vikes dominated the majority of the game starting in the first quarter when they scored 3 times: Latavius Murray ran for a 1-yard touchdown, Eric Kendricks intercepted Andy Dalton and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, and then Kai Forbath kicked a 53-yard field goal to make it 17–0. They made it 24–0 in the second quarter before halftime when Case Keenum found Stefon Diggs on a 20-yard pass. In the third quarter, Forbath put a 35-yard field goal through to make it 27–0 for the only score. This would be followed up by Keenum finding Kyle Rudolph in the fourth quarter to make it 34–0. The Bengals score the last points of the game when Giovani Bernard ran for a 7-yard touchdown to make the final score 34–7.

With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 5–9. The team would have consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 2007 and 2008. Andy Dalton also tied his career-high for most games started and lost in a single season.

Week 16: vs. Detroit Lions

Week Sixteen: Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Lions 7 0 3717
Bengals 0 6 71326

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Game information

After yet another blowout loss, the Bengals returned home to take on the Lions. In the first quarter, the Lions scored when Matthew Stafford found Eric Ebron on a 33-yard pass to make it 7–0. The Bengals scored 2 field goals in the second quarter: Randy Bullock got them from 29 and 27 yards out to make the score 7–3 and then 7–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, Matt Prater put the Lions up by 4 with a 23-yard field goal to make it 10–6. The Bengals however took the lead later on when Andy Dalton found C.J. Uzomah on a 1-yard pass to make it 13–10. Bullock then put a 35-yard field goal through to make it 16–10. The Lions retook the lead when Tion Green ran for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 17–16. Though, the Bengals were able to score twice to seal the game: Bullock kicked a 51-yard field goal to make it 19–17. This would be followed by Giovani Bernard running for a 12-yard touchdown to make the final score 26–17.

With the win, the Bengals would improve to 6–9 and would knock the Detroit Lions out of the postseason.

Week 17: at Baltimore Ravens

Week Seventeen: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens – Game summary
Period 1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 10 7731
Ravens 0 10 71027

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

  • Date: December 31
  • Game time: 4:25 pm. EST
  • Game weather: 19 °F (−7 °C), cloudy
  • Game attendance: 70,507
  • Referee: Ronald Torbert
  • TV announcers (CBS): Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts and Evan Washburn
  • Recap, Gamebook
Game information

The Bengals then closed out the regular season with Game 2 against the Ravens. In the first quarter, the Bengals scored when Andy Dalton found Tyler Kroft on a 1-yard pass to make it 7–0 for the only score. The Ravens got on the board in the second quarter when Justin Tucker nailed a 46-yard field goal to make it 7–3. However, Dalton and Kroft connected again on a 5-yard pass to make it 14–3. This would be followed up by Randy Bullock kicking a 32-yard field goal to make it 17–3 in favor of the Bengals. The Ravens then closed out the half when Joe Flacco found Chris Moore on a 6-yard pass to make the halftime score 17–10. In the third quarter, the Bengals moved back ahead by double digits when Darqueze Dennard returned an interception 89 yards for a touchdown to make it 24–10. Though, the Ravens reduced that lead again when Alex Collins ran for a 17-yard touchdown to make it 24–17. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens managed to take the lead when Tucker kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it 24–20 followed up by Flacco connecting with Mike Wallace on a 6-yard pass to make it 27–24. Though, the Bengals were able to complete the comeback when Dalton found Tyler Boyd on a 49-yard pass to make the final score 31–27.

The Bengals spoiled their division rival's playoff hopes thanks to a late Andy Dalton touchdown pass to Tyler Boyd. Due to the tiebreakers, and after a 4th down pass from Flacco to Wallace fell a few yards short of converting to a first down, the win also allowed the Buffalo Bills to end their 17-year postseason drought, as they would qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

The team finished 7–9.

Standings

Division

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 406 308 W2
Baltimore Ravens 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 395 303 L1
Cincinnati Bengals 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 290 349 W2
Cleveland Browns 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 234 410 L16

Conference

AFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] New England Patriots East 13 3 0 .813 5–1 10–2 .484 .466 W3
2[a] Pittsburgh Steelers North 13 3 0 .813 6–0 10–2 .453 .423 W2
3[b] Jacksonville Jaguars South 10 6 0 .625 4–2 9–3 .434 .394 L2
4[b] Kansas City Chiefs West 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .477 .481 W4
Wild Cards
5[c] Tennessee Titans South 9 7 0 .563 5–1 8–4 .434 .396 W1
6[c] Buffalo Bills East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .492 .396 W1
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[c] Baltimore Ravens North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .441 .299 L1
8[c] Los Angeles Chargers West 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 .457 .347 W2
9 Cincinnati Bengals North 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .465 .321 W2
10[d] Oakland Raiders West 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .512 .396 L4
11[d] Miami Dolphins East 6 10 0 .375 2–4 5–7 .543 .531 L3
12[e] Denver Broncos West 5 11 0 .313 2–4 4–8 .492 .413 L2
13[e] New York Jets East 5 11 0 .313 2–4 5–7 .520 .438 L4
14[f] Indianapolis Colts South 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .480 .219 W1
15[f] Houston Texans South 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .516 .375 L6
16 Cleveland Browns North 0 16 0 .000 0–6 0–12 .520 – L16
Tiebreakers[g]
  1. ^ a b New England claimed the No. 1 seed over Pittsburgh based on head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b Jacksonville claimed the No. 3 seed over Kansas City based on conference record.
  3. ^ a b c d Tennessee finished ahead of Buffalo, Baltimore and Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record, claiming the No. 5 seed.
    Buffalo and Baltimore finished ahead of Los Angeles Chargers based on conference record.
    Buffalo claimed the No. 6 seed over Baltimore based on strength of victory.
  4. ^ a b Oakland finished ahead of Miami based on head-to-head victory.
  5. ^ a b Denver finished ahead of the New York Jets based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ a b Indianapolis finished ahead of Houston based on head-to-head sweep.
  7. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.

References

  1. ^ "Bengals fire offensive coordinator Ken Zampese". NFL.com.
  2. ^ Alper, Josh. "Brandon LaFell re-signs with Bengals". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  3. ^ "Dre Kirkpatrick re-signs with Bengals". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  4. ^ Toback, Rebecca. "Former Bengals linebacker Karlos Dansby signing with Cardinals". CincyJungle. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  5. ^ "Rams solidify LT with Andrew Whitworth signing". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  6. ^ Sessler, Marc. "Browns sign Kevin Zeitler to 5-year, $60M deal". NFL.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  7. ^ Jackson, Zac. "Broncos sign Domata Peko". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  8. ^ Wesseling, Chris. "Patriots add to backfield stable with Rex Burkhead". NFL.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  9. ^ "Colts sign Margus Hunt to 2-year deal". Cincinnati.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  10. ^ "Bengals bringing back running back Cedric Peerman". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  11. ^ "Bengals extend tender to T.J. Johnson". NBCSports.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  12. ^ "Kevin Minter signs one-year deal with Bengals". NFL.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  13. ^ "Source: OT Andre Smith set for Cincinnati homecoming". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 28, 2020.

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