NFL makes it clear how the Bengals are viewed even with Joe Burrow’s return on the horizon
A new kickoff time for an upcoming Bengals game.
The Cincinnati Bengals will have a new start time for their upcoming road game against the Buffalo Bills.
Cincinnati’s Week 14 game in Buffalo is now slated to kickoff at 1:00 p.m. ET instead of the original 4:25 p.m. start time. The NFC North bout between the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers will take its place.
This game was supposed to be the Bengals’ third and potentially final 4:25 p.m. game of the 2025 season. The previous two were against the Detroit Lions in Week 5 and Packers in Week 6, both losses for Cincinnati.
The Bengals can win their next two games and still be two games under .500 for this matchup against the currently 7-3 Bills. It makes sense as to why the NFL has decided this game isn’t worth an isolated late afternoon broadcasting window. That said, the probable quarterback matchup would’ve made it intriguing nonetheless for a national audience.
Joe Burrow’s imminent return not enough to keep Bengals-Bills in limelight
Burrow is one of the biggest stories in the league right now, and he hasn’t even played a down of football since the middle of September. The 28-year old QB has missed the past eight games due to turf toe, but has been practicing for over a week and could very well be making his return this weekend against the New England Patriots.
If Burrow comes back this week or the next to face the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving night, he’ll have at least one game under his belt before traveling to Western New York to duel against reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen.
That showdown is the main reason why this game was slated for a 4:25 kickoff in the first place. Burrow and Allen are two of the most popular faces in the sport, and have squared off multiple times in previous years.
Burrow, of course, is not officially back yet, and that may’ve factored into this decision. The league has to implement schedule changes ahead of time for logistical purposes.
Depending on whether or not Burrow does come back, and how much that impacts how competitive Cincinnati can be, this may not be the final time A Bengals game gets flexed for this season. Cincinnati is scheduled to play the Miami Dolphins on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 16. The Dolphins are 4-7 and also unlikely to make the postseason, so that game may be moved to an earlier start time as well.
For now, Bengals at Bills will be a 1:00 p.m. game no matter who’s starting at quarterback for Cincy.
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