The 2023 NFL season is finally here, and the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals are looking to build on their momentum from last season. They have a young and talented roster led by quarterback Joe Burrow, and they will be looking to contend for another Super Bowl title.
The Bengals’ first opponent of the season is the Cleveland Browns, who are coming off a disappointing 2022 campaign. The Browns have a new head coach in Kevin Stefanski, and they will be looking to get back on track. However, the Bengals are the clear favorites in this matchup.
The Bengals’ other early-season matchups are also favorable. They will face the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Pittsburgh Steelers, all of whom are expected to be rebuilding teams. This gives the Bengals a chance to start the season with a strong record and build some momentum.
Of course, there are no guarantees in the NFL. The Bengals will need to stay healthy and play their best football if they want to repeat as AFC champions. However, they have the talent to do it, and they will be a tough team to beat in 2023.
Here is a closer look at the Bengals’ Week 1 matchup against the Browns:
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns
Date: Thursday, September 8, 2023
Time: 8:15 PM ET
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
TV: NBC
The Bengals and Browns have met 156 times in the regular season, with the Bengals holding a 78-78 record. The Browns have won the last two matchups, but the Bengals have won four of the last six.
The Browns are led by quarterback Deshaun Watson, who is coming off a season-long suspension. Watson is a talented quarterback, but he has been dogged by off-field issues. The Browns will need him to play at a high level if they want to be competitive in 2023.
The Bengals are led by Burrow, who is coming off a Pro Bowl season. Burrow is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and he will be looking to build on his success from last season. The Bengals also have a strong running game led by Joe Mixon, and they have a talented defense.
The Bengals are the clear favorites in this matchup, but the Browns will be a tough opponent. The Browns have a lot of talent on their roster, and they will be looking to get off to a good start under new head coach Kevin Stefanski.
The Bengals will need to play their best football if they want to win this game. They will need to protect Burrow and get the running game going. They will also need to pressure Watson and force him into mistakes.
The Bengals are the better team, but the Browns will be a tough opponent. This should be a close game, and it could come down to the wire.
Other key matchups in Week 1
- Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
- Denver Broncos vs. Las Vegas Raiders
- Los Angeles Chargers vs. Miami Dolphins
- Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers
- New York Jets vs. Buffalo Bills
These are just a few of the key matchups in Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. There are many other games that will be worth watching, and it should be an exciting start to the season.