If you’re frantically refreshing your phone or yelling at a voice assistant for the score bengals game today, I have some news that might be a little annoying: there isn't one. The Cincinnati Bengals aren't playing today, Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Honestly, the season ended a couple of weeks ago for Joe Burrow and the crew. They wrapped things up back on January 4th with a tough 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns, finishing the year at 6-11. It wasn't exactly the "Who Dey" magic fans were hoping for when the season kicked off last fall.
While the Bengals are currently in "offseason mode"—meaning the players are probably on a beach somewhere and the front office is obsessing over draft boards—the rest of the NFL is very much alive. Today is actually a massive day for football because the Divisional Round of the playoffs is kicking off.
What happened to the Bengals?
It’s been a weird year in the AFC North. The Bengals finished third in the division, which is why they’re sitting at home today. Their final game against Cleveland was a heartbreaker. Joe Burrow actually found Ja'Marr Chase for a 4-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter to take the lead, but the Browns marched back and won it with a field goal as time expired.
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That 6-11 record means the Bengals are officially looking at the 2026 NFL Draft. Current projections have them picking around 10th overall. Most experts, like the folks over at Bengals.com, are already mocking impact defenders to Cincinnati to help bolster a unit that struggled to get off the field in key moments this past season.
There is no score bengals game today, but here’s what is on
Just because Cincinnati isn't on the field doesn't mean you have to find a hobby. The NFL playoffs are in full swing today, and the matchups are actually pretty incredible. If you're looking for something to fill that football-shaped hole in your heart, here is the schedule for Saturday:
- Buffalo Bills at Denver Broncos: This one starts at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Broncos are the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and seeing them host the Bills at Mile High is going to be a cold, loud, and probably very high-scoring affair.
- San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks: This is the nightcap at 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It’s an NFC West rivalry game with a trip to the Championship round on the line.
It’s weird seeing the Bengals out of the mix, especially with the way the AFC North is shifting. Mike Tomlin just stepped down as the head coach of the Steelers after nearly two decades, which basically changes the entire landscape of the division. The Bengals might actually have an easier path next year if Pittsburgh struggles with the transition.
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Looking ahead to the 2026 season
Since you can't get a score bengals game today, you might as well start looking at who they’ll be playing when the 2026 season officially starts. The NFL has already confirmed the opponents for next year. Cincinnati is going to be busy.
They’ll be facing the AFC South and the NFC South. This means we get home games at Paycor Stadium against the Kansas City Chiefs (because of the divisional standings) and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They also have to travel to face the Houston Texans and the Miami Dolphins.
Key Home Games for 2026:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Tennessee Titans
- New Orleans Saints
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Away Games for 2026:
- Atlanta Falcons
- Carolina Panthers
- Indianapolis Colts
- Washington Commanders
- Miami Dolphins
Other "Bengals" playing today?
If you happened to be looking for college sports, the Idaho State Bengals are actually in action. The women’s basketball team is playing Eastern Washington today, January 17th. They’re coming off a tough loss to Idaho earlier this week, so they're looking to bounce back. But if you’re a pro football fan, that’s probably not the "score" you were hunting for.
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Basically, the Bengals are done for the 2025-2026 cycle. It’s a bummer, but that’s the reality of a 6-11 season.
Actionable steps for Bengals fans
Since there's no game to watch, here is what you should actually do today:
- Watch the Bills-Broncos game: It’s the best way to scout the competition in the AFC for next year.
- Check the Mock Drafts: Since the Bengals are picking 10th, start looking at defensive line prospects and offensive tackle depth.
- Monitor the Steelers Coaching Search: Who Pittsburgh hires to replace Mike Tomlin will directly affect Joe Burrow's life for the next five years.
- Wait for the Schedule: The exact dates and times for the 2026 Bengals games won't be out until the spring, so don't bother looking for a kickoff time for next September just yet.
Take the day off from the stress of the Bengals' red-zone defense. Watch the playoffs as a neutral fan and enjoy the fact that your blood pressure won't be rising because of a missed Evan McPherson field goal today.