Cincinnati Bengals

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The 2025 season began with a 2–0 start, the team's first since 2018. In Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in the second quarter, requiring surgery and causing him to miss the next nine games. Backup Jake Browning finished that game and was named starter. The Bengals went 1–8 without Burrow. In Week 3, a 38-point loss to the Minnesota Vikings marked the worst loss in franchise history. After a Week 5 loss to the Detroit Lions, the Bengals released practice quarterback Mike White and signed free agent Joe Flacco. Flacco started until Burrow returned in Week 13. Despite Flacco throwing for a career-high 470 yards in a 47–42 loss to the Chicago Bears, the defense struggled. Burrow returned on Thanksgiving night in Week 13, leading a 32–14 upset win over the Ravens with 261 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals fell to 4–9 after a Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills, guaranteeing their first losing record since 2020. A Week 15 shutout loss to the Ravens eliminated them from playoff contention. The Bengals finished 6–11.

In Their Own Story

The 2025 season was the Bengals' 56th in the NFL, their 58th overall, and their seventh under head coach Zac Taylor. They played home games at Paycor Stadium. The team started 2–0 for the first time since 2018, but Joe Burrow's Grade 3 turf toe injury in Week 2 derailed the season. He missed nine games, and the Bengals went 1–8 without him. Joe Flacco was acquired in Week 5 and started until Burrow returned. Burrow's return came in Week 13 on Thanksgiving, a 32–14 win over the Ravens. The Bengals fell to 4–9 after a Week 14 loss to the Bills, guaranteeing a losing record. A Week 15 shutout loss to the Ravens eliminated them from playoff contention. The defense ranked last at 32nd in most statistical categories. The Bengals finished 6–11, their worst season since 2020.

Reader's Guide

For their first two seasons, the Bengals played at Nippert Stadium. Paul Brown named the team the Bengals in order 'to give it a link with past professional football in Cincinnati'. Brown chose the exact shade of orange used by his former team and added black as the secondary color. Brown chose a very simple logo: the word 'BENGALS' in black lettering.

Did You Know?

• The Bengals played on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2010, winning 32–14 over the Ravens.
• Joe Burrow's turf toe injury in Week 2 required surgery and caused him to miss nine games.
• The 38-point loss to the Vikings in Week 3 was the worst loss in Bengals franchise history.
• Joe Flacco threw for a career-high 470 yards in a 47–42 loss to the Bears in Week 9.
• Evan McPherson set a franchise record with a 63-yard field goal in Week 12 against the Patriots.