The Cincinnati Bengals delivered a statement win on Thanksgiving, dismantling the Baltimore Ravens 32-14 on November 27 to improve to 4-8 and keep their playoff hopes alive heading into the final stretch of the 2025 season. After a disappointing start that saw the team stumble to 3-8 following a Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, the Bengals are now fighting back with renewed urgency as they prepare for a gauntlet of remaining opponents.
The Road Ahead: Five Games to Determine Destiny
The Bengals' remaining schedule presents both
challenges and opportunities as they attempt to salvage what has been a frustrating season under head coach Zac Taylor. With just five games remaining on the regular season slate, Cincinnati must string together wins against a mix of playoff contenders and divisional rivals to have any realistic shot at postseason football.
The upcoming matchups include a trip to Buffalo to face the Bills on December 7, followed by a home game against Baltimore on December 14. The schedule then takes the Bengals to Miami on December 21 before finishing with home contests against Arizona on December 27 and Cleveland on January 4, 2026.
Defensive Struggles Define Disappointing Season
Despite the recent victory over Baltimore, the Bengals' defense has been a
major liability throughout 2025, currently ranked dead last in the NFL at 32nd overall. This defensive collapse has been the primary reason Cincinnati sits at 4-8 rather than competing for a division title, a stark contrast to their 9-8 records in each of the previous two seasons.
The offense has shown flashes of competence, particularly in the win over the Ravens, but inconsistency has plagued the team all season. The Bengals' inability to maintain momentum—evidenced by losses to teams like Minnesota (48-10), Denver (28-3), and Green Bay (27-18)—suggests that even a strong finish may not be enough to overcome the early-season damage.
Playoff Hopes Hanging by a Thread
For the Bengals to make the playoffs, they would need to win out or come very close, as they currently sit well below .500 with limited margin for error. The two-year playoff drought has been frustrating for a franchise that made the Super Bowl just two seasons ago, and the 2025 campaign has been marked by defensive regression and inconsistent quarterback play.
The Thanksgiving victory over Baltimore provided a glimmer of hope, but Cincinnati knows that performances like that must become the norm rather than the exception if they're to salvage this season. With five games remaining and the playoffs still mathematically possible, the Bengals' final month will determine whether this season ends in disappointment or provides a foundation for optimism heading into 2026.
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Bengals 2025 Schedule - Cincinnati Bengals Official
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