Bengals Set to Make History Under the Prime-Time Spotlight
This Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals are preparing for what promises to be a historic encounter with the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking the culmination of a challenging regular season marked by an unprecedented number of prime-time road games. Amazingly, the Bengals will become the first NFL team to step onto the field for five such matches in a single season, a feat that speaks to both their growing popularity and the scheduling quirks of the 2024 campaign.
A Season of Prime-Time Challenges
Initially scheduled for three prime-time road showdowns, the Bengals' calendar expanded unexpectedly. By Week 11, scheduling changes saw them playing under the lights in Los Angeles against the Chargers, turning the count to four. Historically, ten teams have navigated the path of four road prime-time games in the past decade, with these squads earning a 18-22 combined record—indicative of the challenge facing Cincinnati. Notably, from 2000 to 2023, the Bengals have struggled mightily in similar situations, with a 2-23 record to show for their efforts.
Recent Performance and Historical Context
Under the stewardship of head coach Zac Taylor, the narrative began to shift, albeit slowly. Up until the 2024 season, he held a 1-5 record in these challenging matchups. This year, however, saw Cincinnati clinching victories against the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys, but stumbling against the Chargers and the Baltimore Ravens. That said, their struggles against the Steelers in prime-time away games make for a tough pill to swallow. Since 1995, any hopes for a victory in Pittsburgh during prime-time have been dashed, with each defeat marked by double-digit margins.
Facing the Steelers Yet Again
This weekend presents a significant personal milestone for quarterback Joe Burrow, who'll be looking to reverse these historical woes as he takes on the Steelers in a prime-time road matchup for the first time. Head coach Zac Taylor remains unfazed by the venue shift, embracing the challenge with his trademark enthusiasm. "We know where we’re playing, we know who we’re playing, just tell us the time we’re playing," Taylor confidently quipped. His optimism is further underscored as he acknowledges the difficulties of playing road games within their division. "It’s hard to win on the road in this division: The fan bases are tough, the stadiums are tough, we’re always playing really good teams, really good defenses and offenses," he reflected.
Nevertheless, Taylor and the Bengals are not just aware of the challenge, they’re eager to rise to the occasion. "It’s a challenge anytime you’re playing a divisional foe. We’re excited that we get to be on prime time. That’s an honor for us and our guys will rise up," Taylor concluded. As kickoff approaches, Bengals fans are hoping this time will be different—hoping Joe Burrow and his team can write a new chapter in their prime-time road playbook.