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The Cincinnati Bengals have done very well against the best teams in the league in recent years. They've also tripped over their own feet plenty of times.
When the regular season is only one-third of the calendar year, it's fair to say that every game in the NFL should be treated equally and trap games don't exist at all.
At least they shouldn't.
Let's operate in the world where they do exist. These are the three games that should not be overlooked.
3 trap games on the Bengals' 2024 schedule
Week 1 vs. New England Patriots
Let's address the elephant in the room. How could the first game of the season be a trap game? There will be nearly four months for both teams to prepare for this matchup. In what world is an NFL team overlooking the first opponent on the schedule?
The world in which the Kansas City Chiefs are the next game.
One of the biggest games on the Bengals' schedule happening in Week 2 already makes Week 1 and rookie quarterback Drake Maye's debut somewhat of an afterthought. The disparity between the two matchups is crazy as well. Vegas views the Bengals as 9.5-point favorites over the Patriots, and 4-point underdogs vs. the Chiefs.
Cincinnati should not slip up against a first-time starting QB and New England, but that's what makes a trap game a trap game.
NFL - Week 1
— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) May 16, 2024
Thursday, September 5
Ravens 47
Chiefs -2.5 -120
Friday, September 6
at São Paulo, Brazil
Packers 48.5
Eagles -1
Sunday, September 8
Jaguars 49.5
Dolphins -3.5
Steelers 43
Falcons -3
Vikings 41.5
Giants -1
Panthers…
Week 6 @ New York Giants
Of the Bengals' nine roads games, the Giants are the second-worst team they'll face in terms of current Super Bowl odds. They're on an uninspiring trajectory as they've hitched their wagon to Daniel Jones' mediocrity at quarterback. It's a bit puzzling why Sunday Night Football claimed this matchup in the first place.
The timing of the game is what mainly constitutes its nature as a trap game. Cincinnati hosts the Baltimore Ravens in its first AFC North game the week prior, and a road game against the Cleveland Browns follows. The Giants are the seemingly feeble foe sandwiched in-between.
But don't count out facing a revitalized pass rush on the road in primetime. This is not a game the Bengals can take lightly.
Week 9 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Behold the ultimate trap game on the schedule. Week 8 will feature the Philadelphia Eagles coming into Paycor Stadium for a fierce battle in the late afternoon time slot. It's a statement and barometer game for the Bengals halfway through the year.
Week 10 will have the Bengals taking the road on short rest to face the Ravens on Thursday Night Football, almost the exact day when Joe Burrow suffered his season-ending injury last year against the same team.
And this seemingly innocent Raiders game gets caught in the middle of it all.
The Bengals will be potentially reeling from facing an NFC juggernaut, and with an emotional divisional game on the near horizon, it would not be shocking for this game to be overlooked.
More must-reads:
- One-time Defensive Player of the Year open to reunion with former team
- Free-agent DB Stephon Gilmore addresses playing future
- The 'Multiple seasons with 2000+ scrimmage yards' quiz
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