Bengals' 2024 schedule features a historic disadvantage that only one other team has to deal with

It's a bit remarkable not many other teams have had to do this aside from the Bengals, but the NFL's semi-recent shift to 17 games plays a factor. The added game gives half the league an extra road game, which only increases the likelihood of facing a short week proceeding any of the nine contests.

We're a year away from learning next year's schedule, and it's safe to predict the Bengals won't have to deal with this in 2025.

Playing on the road is always tough in the NFL, and having less than a full week to prepare and subsequently travel doesn't make things easier. Here are the three quick turnarounds in store for Cincinnati:

• Week 4: @ Carolina Panthers (six night's rest)
• Week 10: @ Baltimore Ravens (four night's rest)
• Week 15: @ Tennessee Titans (six night's rest) 

Joining the Bengals in this disadvantage are the Dallas Cowboys, whom happen to play on the road in Week 15 following their Monday night bout vs. Cincinnati in Week 14.

Cincinnati is already extremely aware of the downsides to facing Baltimore on the road in a short week. It's the exact setting where Joe Burrow suffered his season-ending wrist injury last year. 

Avoiding a similar outcome this time around should be concerned a moral victory on its own. 

The Bengals can't control how much rest they can take before pivotal road matchups, but they can control how they maximize it. Coming out on top in two of these games would be significant step towards returning to the postseason.