The 2024 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 55th in the National Football League (NFL), their 57th overall, their 25th playing their home games at Paycor Stadium and their sixth under head coach Zac Taylor. They matched their 9âÂÂ8 record from last year after a Week 18 win against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year.
Despite a 4âÂÂ8 start, their worst since 2020, the Bengals rallied to win their final five games and remain in playoff contention late in the season. However, they were eliminated when the Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18. The season was largely defined by stellar offensive play along with poor defensive play. On the offensive side of the ball, Joe Burrow led the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns and was responsible for the Bengals having the best passing offense. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase led all other receivers in receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns, becoming the 7th wide receiver to win the triple crown in the Super Bowl era. On the defensive side, the Bengals, despite having the league's sack leader Trey Hendrickson, had the 7th-worst scoring defense, allowing 30 or more points in six of their games, and were 4âÂÂ7 in one-score games. They also set an NFL record for most losses while still scoring 30 or more points in a single game, with four. This included two late double-digit comebacks by their divisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens, in both games played. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo was let go by the team following the end of the season.
Draft trades
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
The Bengals started their season at home against the Patriots. After a scoreless first quarter, the Patriots were able to put up a 10âÂÂ0 lead in the second, going into halftime. In the third quarter, the Pats made it 13âÂÂ0 by way of Joey Slye's 35-yard field goal. The Bengals finally got on the board when Zack Moss ran for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 13âÂÂ7. Slye would put the Pats up 16âÂÂ7 by way of a 37-yard field goal. The Bengals would end the scoring when Evan McPherson kicked a 51-yard field goal to make the final score 16âÂÂ10.
With the loss, the Bengals started 0âÂÂ1 for the third consecutive year.
After a tough loss at home, the Bengals then traveled to Kansas City to take on the Chiefs. In the first quarter, the Bengals scored first when Evan McPherson kicked a 22-yard field goal to make it 3âÂÂ0. The Chiefs then made it 3âÂÂ3 when Harrison Butker kicked a 19-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals took the lead when Joe Burrow found Andrei Iosivas on a 5-yard touchdown pass to make it 10âÂÂ3. The Chiefs tied it up at 10âÂÂ10 when Patrick Mahomes connected with Rashee Rice on a 44-yard touchdown pass. The Bengals then made it 16âÂÂ10 at halftime by way of a couple field goals by McPherson from 33 and 48 yards out. In the third quarter, the Chiefs retook the lead when Mahomes found Wanya Morris on a 1-yard touchdown pass to make it 17âÂÂ16. The Bengals took the lead back later on in the quarter when Burrow and Iosivas connected again on a 3-yard touchdown pass (with a failed two-point conversion) to make it 22âÂÂ17. In the fourth quarter, The Chiefs moved ahead 23âÂÂ22 when Chamarri Conner returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals moved back into the lead when McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal. Finally, the Chiefs completed the comeback when Butker kicked a 51-yard field goal to make the final score 26âÂÂ25.
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0âÂÂ2 for the third consecutive year.
Despite the loss, which dropped Cincinnati to 0âÂÂ3 for the first time since 2019, this game became the sixth regular season "no punt game" in recorded NFL history. In particular, both Washington and Cincinnati finished the game without a punt or a turnover, the first time this has occurred since at least 1940, when NFL stats began to be regularly recorded.
The Bengals defeated the Panthers and their former quarterback, Andy Dalton, who was filling in for an injured Bryce Young. This was the first time the Bengals had defeated the Panthers in Charlotte since 2010. The Bengals moved to 1-3.
Despite a career day for Joe Burrow, the Bengals could not contain Lamar Jackson and the Ravens offense, choking away leads of 31-21 and 38-28 and falling in overtime to fall to 1-4 on the season.
The Bengals recorded their first road win against the Giants, having not done so in 4 other attempts.
This was Joe Burrow's first win in Cleveland and the Bengals first win in Cleveland since 2017.
The Bengals returned home to take on the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite taking an early 10âÂÂ3 lead, the Bengals could not slow down the visiting Eagles as they would be outscored 34âÂÂ7 by Philadelphia the rest of the way. Cincinnati fell to 0âÂÂ4 at home on the season with the 37âÂÂ17 blowout loss, their only multiple-score loss of the 2024 season. This was the Bengals' first loss to the Eagles since the 2000 season, and their first ever home loss to Philadelphia.
The game traded time slots with the Chicago Bears-Washington Commanders matchup. As such, this was no longer the marquee Sunday matchup of the day.
The Bengals defeated the Raiders in their meeting against them since their playoff meeting 3 years earlier, in which the Bengals ended their playoff drought.
For the second time this season, a career day by Joe Burrow against Baltimore was wasted by the heroics of Lamar Jackson.
Although they tied the game at 27 after trailing 27-6, Evan McPherson missed 2 field goals late, and this ultimately led to the Chargers scoring a late touchdown to seal the win for them. The Bengals fell to 4-7.
The Bengals became the first team in NFL history to lose 3 games where they scored 30 or more points in one season.
This was Cincinnati's first win in Dallas and against the Cowboys since 1988 and 2004 respectively.
In a turnover-filled game by both teams, the Bengals defeated the Titans 37-27 despite committing 4 turnovers on offense, though they made up for this by forcing 6 Titan turnovers. The Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive by improving to 6-8.
With the win, the Bengals improved to 7âÂÂ8 and remained alive in the playoff race. They also swept Cleveland for the first time since 2017.
With the win, the Bengals improved to 8âÂÂ8 and remained alive in the playoff race.
With the win, the Bengals finished 9âÂÂ8, but were eliminated the following day thanks to the Broncos' win over the Chiefs.