The 2018 schedule is finally out, and while we knew who the Bengals would be playing this year, timing is everything.
In the NFL, teams with fast starts traditionally have a better chance at making the playoffs over teams who start out, say, 0-3. That was the exact hole the Bengals dug themselves last season, and one they will have to work very hard to avoid in 2018.
Five of the Bengals first eight games are against teams who had a winning record last season in the Steelers, Falcons, Panther, Ravens and Chiefs.