Much has been written and analyzed (overly so, really) about the 2023 schedule for the Cincinnati Bengals.
But let’s take one more look at how tough it is compared to the rest of the NFL, this time thanks to Pro Football Focus rolling out schedule difficulty tiers based on their ELO algorithm.
Said ELO accounts for factors like past records, game locations, injuries and changes to rosters.
In compiling the rankings, PFF’s Amelia Probst says the Bengals have the 15th toughest schedule next year:
Projected win total: 10.9
Easiest game: Week 10 vs. Houston Texans
Hardest game: Week 17 vs. Kansas City ChiefsThe Bengals have a bye in Week 7 and a relatively easy schedule before it. After their bye, not so much, with the 49ers and Bills on the schedule.
It could be worse, right?
Arguably more important than the overall difficulty of the schedule for these Bengals is the structure. They face some of their easiest games of the year early in the schedule before a gauntlet to close the season that features San Francisco, Buffalo and Kansas City, plus four AFC North games from Week 8-18.
