It is that weird, quiet time of year in Cincinnati where the air feels just a little bit emptier. If you are waking up today, grabbing your coffee, and reflexively wondering what time is the bengals game on sunday, I have some news that might sting a little.
The Bengals aren't playing today.
Honestly, it feels wrong. We’ve spent months planning our entire weekend around Joe Burrow’s snap count and whether or not the defense can actually stop a run. But the reality of the 2025-2026 season is that for Cincinnati, the journey ended a couple of weeks ago. While the NFL playoffs are currently screaming toward the Divisional Round this Sunday, January 18, 2026, the Bengals are already looking at draft boards.
What Time Is The Bengals Game On Sunday? (The Real Answer)
Technically, the "time" is never. Or at least, not today. If you see people wearing orange and black at the grocery store today, they are likely just mourning. The Bengals finished their season on January 4, 2026, with a tough 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium.
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It was a frustrating way to end. A missed extra point, some defensive lapses—basically the story of the season.
Because the team finished with a 6-11 record, they didn't qualify for the postseason. So, while you might be searching for a kickoff time, the only things hitting the field today are other teams. Specifically, you’ve got the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET, and the Los Angeles Rams visiting the Chicago Bears at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Why Everyone Still Asks About the Bengals Schedule
Habit is a powerful thing. You've spent seventeen weeks conditioned to check the TV listings.
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There is also a lot of confusion because the NFL schedule is a moving target. In 2025, we saw the Bengals play on Thursdays, Mondays, and even a Saturday. When the routine breaks, our brains don't always catch up.
Plus, there’s the "What If" factor. A lot of fans spent the last month of the season doing playoff math. "If the Steelers lose and we win out..." We’ve all been there. It’s hard to accept that the math finally hit zero.
The 2025 Season Recap: What Happened?
If you're wondering why we aren't watching them today, it comes down to a few brutal stretches.
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- The Early Slump: Starting 1-2 with a blowout loss to the Vikings set a bad tone.
- The Defensive Struggles: Statistically, the Bengals had one of the bottom-five scoring defenses this year. You can't ask Burrow to score 40 points every week.
- Division Woes: Going 3-3 in the AFC North isn't terrible, but losing that final game to Cleveland was the nail in the coffin.
What to Watch If You Need a Football Fix Today
Just because the Bengals aren't on doesn't mean you have to do yard work. The games happening this Sunday are actually pretty high-stakes.
If you want to see what the Bengals could have been, watch the Texans vs. Patriots game at 3:00 p.m. on ESPN/ABC. CJ Stroud is playing at a level that reminds a lot of people of Burrow's 2021 run. Then, at 6:30 p.m., the Bears and Rams face off on NBC. It’s a classic "new vs. old" quarterback battle that’s worth the price of admission (or at least the price of your cable bill).
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Bengals Schedule
The good news? We already know who they are playing next year. While the specific times and dates won't be out until May, the opponents are locked in.
Next season, the Bengals are slated to face the AFC South and the NFC South. That means we get home games against the Jaguars, Titans, Saints, and Buccaneers. They also have a massive home game scheduled against the Kansas City Chiefs because both teams finished third in their respective divisions.
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans Today
- Stop checking the TV guide: Save yourself the heartbreak; the orange and black aren't on the broadcast map.
- Scout the competition: Watch the Texans and Patriots at 3:00 p.m. ET to see the current AFC landscape.
- Check the Draft Order: The Bengals are currently looking at a top-10 pick. Start looking at offensive line and defensive tackle prospects.
- Clean the Jersey: It’s been a long season. Wash the lucky jersey and tuck it away until the preseason starts in August.
The Bengals might be done for now, but the "Who Dey" spirit doesn't really have an off-season. We just swap the Sunday stress for mock draft debates.