NFL continues to use Bengals as a primetime draw...for opponents

As the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2025 schedule was released, it was again clear that the NFL wanted to use the Bengals as a primetime draw.

Joe Burrow throwing touchdowns to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins always makes for great TV, so it makes sense that they would get the national spotlight.

Another primetime matchup with the Baltimore Ravens makes sense, but it is yet again in Baltimore. On Thanksgiving Night, no less.

The meeting in Cincinnati? Ho-hum, 1 pm kickoff time. The NFL seems to want to use the Bengals as a primetime draw... for opponents.

Just one of their primetime games is in Cincinnati, which is a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals will likely do a special uniform, or “Stripe The Jungle” night and with it being their only home game in a primetime slot, it will likely be the Ring of Honor game as well.

Of course, the Bengals could see another home primetime game or two with the NFL’s flex scheduling, but there certainly seems to be an imbalance of games focused on other cities vs. Cincinnati.

Primetime games are fun. You get the entire day to build the anticipation, tailgate lots fill up earlier. The whole world has their eyes on your game. Players love that.

You know who else loves it? The fans. The Bengals have built an electric offense full of star power that eyes across the globe want to watch. Isn’t it only right that the fans in Cincinnati get to watch them under the lights more than opposing fans?