The 2021 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 52nd season in the National Football League (NFL), their 54th overall and their third under head coach Zac Taylor. They also played in new uniforms for the first time since 2004. The Bengals finished with a 10âÂÂ7 record, exceeding their win total from the previous two seasons combined. The Bengals clinched their first winning season, first playoff appearance, and first AFC North title since 2015. It also marked their first Super Bowl appearance since 1988.
The Bengals began their playoff run by defeating the Las Vegas Raiders 26âÂÂ19 in the wild-card round, winning their first playoff game since 1990, and ending what was the NFL's longest playoff win drought. They beat the top-seeded Tennessee Titans 19âÂÂ16 in the divisional round, which not only marked their first-ever playoff win on the road but also allowed them to advance to the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1988. They defeated the second-seeded Kansas City Chiefs 27âÂÂ24 in overtime. As a result, they advanced to Super Bowl LVI, their third Super Bowl in franchise history and first in 33 years. Quarterback Joe Burrow became the first second-year quarterback since Russell Wilson in 2013 to reach a Super Bowl, and the first No. 1-picked QB to do so within their first two seasons. However, the Bengals lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl 23âÂÂ20.
For the first time since 2010, A. J. Green was not on the opening day roster.
Trades
The Bengals announced their Undrafted free agent class on May 14.
The Bengals' preseason opponents and schedule were announced on May 12.
The Bengals 2021 schedule was announced on May 12.
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
This was Cincinnati's first win in Pittsburgh since 2015.
The Bengals improved to 3âÂÂ1 for the first time since 2018 with this win, despite only taking the lead with 4 seconds left in the game on a game winning Evan McPherson field goal. Burrow was recognized as the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in this game, in which he completed 25 out of 32 passes for a total of 348 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, posting a 132.8 passer rating.
With the win, the Bengals improved to 7âÂÂ4 and swept the Steelers for the first time since 2009.
With the win this marked the first time since 2015 that the Bengals swept the Ravens.
With the win, the Bengals clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2015, and won their first AFC North title since 2015 as well.
With the loss, the Bengals finished the regular season at 10âÂÂ7 and were swept by the Browns in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1994 and 1995.
With the win, the Bengals won their first playoff game since January 6, 1991.
This was the first time in franchise history that the Bengals won a playoff game on the road.
Cincinnati's 18-point comeback matched a record previously set by 2006 Indianapolis Colts.
Statistics correct as of the end of the 2021 NFL season