If you're frantically checking your phone to see what time is the bengals game today, I have some news that might sting a little. Honestly, it’s the kind of news nobody wants to hear on a Sunday in January.
The Cincinnati Bengals are not playing today, January 18, 2026.
While the NFL playoffs are currently in full swing with the Divisional Round, the Bengals didn't make the cut this year. They wrapped up their season a couple of weeks ago. It’s a tough pill to swallow for Who Dey Nation, especially after the rollercoaster that was the 2025-2026 campaign.
Why aren't the Bengals playing?
Basically, the season ended on a sour note. The Bengals finished with a 6-11 record, which landed them in third place in the AFC North. Their final game was a heartbreaker on January 4, where they lost 20-18 to the Cleveland Browns.
That game was a microcosm of their whole year. Joe Burrow threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns, and it looked like they had it won after a late Ja'Marr Chase touchdown. But then Shedeur Sanders—yeah, Deion's son—led a clinical drive for the Browns, and Andre Szmyt nailed a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
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Just like that, the Bengals were out. No playoffs. No "today" game.
Who is playing today instead?
Since you probably still want your football fix, the NFL has two massive Divisional Round games scheduled for today, Sunday, January 18. Even if the orange and black stripes aren't on the field, these matchups are going to be wild.
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
This one kicks off at 3:00 PM ET. You can catch it on ABC. It’s a clash of the titans in the AFC, and honestly, the atmosphere at Gillette Stadium is going to be electric.Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
This is the nightcap at 6:30 PM ET. It’s airing on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Seeing the Rams head into a freezing Soldier Field is always high drama.✨ Don't miss: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
It's weird seeing other teams in these slots. For the last few years, we’ve gotten used to the Bengals being a staple of deep January runs. But 2026 just wasn't the year.
The 2025 Bengals Season at a Glance
The year was defined by "almosts." They lost a nail-biter to the Jets (39-38) and a high-scoring shootout to the Bears (47-42). Joe Burrow missed a chunk of time in the middle of the season, and while he looked great in the final month—winning games against Miami and Arizona—it was too little, too late.
Looking ahead to 2026-2027
If you’re already over this season and want to know when you can actually ask "what time is the bengals game" again, we have to look toward the fall.
The NFL hasn't released the exact dates and times for the 2026 season yet—that usually happens in May—but we do know who they are playing. The Bengals will have a fairly tough schedule next year because of the NFL's rotating formula.
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Home Opponents at Paycor Stadium:
They’ll be hosting the usual AFC North rivals (Ravens, Browns, Steelers), but the big one is the Kansas City Chiefs. Every time Mahomes and Burrow face off, the world stops. They also get the Jaguars, Titans, Saints, and Buccaneers at home.
Away Opponents:
The Bengals are traveling to some hostile environments next year. They go to Baltimore, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh, obviously. But they also have road trips to Indianapolis, Houston, Miami, and a visit to the Washington Commanders.
How to stay ready for next season
While there isn't a game today, you don't have to go cold turkey on the Bengals. The off-season is actually where the most important work happens.
- Watch the NFL Draft: Since the Bengals finished 6-11, they'll have a decent draft pick. Keep an eye on the end of April.
- Free Agency: The Bengals have some cap space, and they’ll likely be looking for defensive help. That defense struggled this year, especially in those close one-point losses.
- Check the Schedule Release: Mark your calendar for mid-May. That is when the NFL drops the full 2026-2027 schedule, and we can finally start planning our Sundays again.
For now, grab a drink, turn on the Texans-Patriots game, and just enjoy the fact that you don't have to deal with the stress of a Bengals fourth quarter today. We’ll be back at Paycor Stadium before you know it.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check the official Bengals website or the NFL app in May 2026 to get the confirmed kickoff times for the upcoming season. If you want to see the new roster additions sooner, follow the NFL Scouting Combine in late February to see which prospects the Bengals might target to fix that defense.