Week 1 Is Here

Who Dey Nation is spread a lot further than you would think. See where Bengals fans are turning up around the world, and put yourself on the map here.

Know any other Bengals fans? Forward this to them so they can add themselves to the map too!

PRESENTED BY VISIT CINCY & MEETNKY

Tailgating is a Cincinnati tradition—and on Bengals game day, we take it seriously! 🐯🏈 Coming to Cincy for your first Bengals home game? We’ve got you covered. Check out our Guide to Tailgating Before a Cincinnati Bengals Game at Paycor Stadium for the best tips on where to tailgate, what to bring and how to make the most of game day. And for this Sunday? Don't forget to wear your orange for the season opener "orange out" against Tampa Bay!

Turner's Thursday hamstring listing turned out to be precautionary. Taylor confirmed Friday that Turner is good to go and said they limited his workload out of caution. Chase took a rest day Friday, not an injury day. Higgins was full all three days. Stewart is doubtful after not participating Friday, which is disappointing but not a surprise given the knee hyperextension he's been managing since late July.

Today is the first real test of an offseason that cost this front office real money and real draft capital. Tampa Bay brings Baker Mayfield, a healthy Chris Godwin, and a defensive line featuring Vita Vea. On our side: a rebuilt defense headlined by Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, Kyle Dugger, and Jonathan Allen, plus a healthy Burrow with Chase, Higgins, and Erick All Jr. fully cleared and featured in the game plan.

Todd Bowles said preparing for Burrow gives him "a headache more than anything." He went further: "It's not just the accuracy. It's his intelligence and the way he moves in the pocket. He can run without running and can buy time just sliding his feet."

Marvin Lewis, visiting practice Friday ahead of his Sports USA Radio call, said that the Bengals are the 2026 AFC North favorites. "I think they're the favorite with that offensive firepower and the revamping of the defense," he said. He specifically called out Lawrence, Allen, and B.J. Hill, and noted the continuity advantage Cincinnati has with Burrow, Darrin Simmons, and a defense in its second year under the same coordinator.

Cincinnati named three defensive captains: Dexter Lawrence, Bryan Cook, and DJ Turner II. Lawrence and Cook earned it before playing a single regular-season snap here, both having arrived this offseason. Taylor said Lawrence commanded offensive attention every single day of camp: "You just have to give so much attention to him. He just affects about every play." Golden singled out Cook's pre-snap communication as the thing that lets everyone in front of him play faster: "There's so much pre-snap in this era of NFL football. You need guys who do that."

On Tuesday he told Bengals.com he's "here for the long haul." On Wednesday he said it again, more directly: "It was never a question in my mind. I am where my feet are, and I try to attack every day with a championship mindset. I love everything about this place." Burrow is under contract through 2029.

PFF ranked Burrow first among all quarterbacks in big-time throw-to-turnover-worthy play ratio last season: 18 big-time throws, two turnover-worthy plays, a 9.00 ratio. Matthew Stafford finished second at 2.23. In The Athletic's poll of 20 NFL general managers, executives, and coaches, Burrow finishes third in MVP outlook behind Josh Allen and Stafford, and six voters named him one of the three best quarterbacks in the league right now. Those numbers came in eight games.

Sun, Sep 20 | at Houston Texans | 1:00 PM EDT

Open In Orange, Season 33

The iconic Bengal Jim & Friends is BACK for our 33RD SEASON, and we're starting it the only way we know how. BIG! 🧡🖤

🎫 MAKE SURE TO WEAR ORANGE!

Come join us for the largest, most fun, family-friendly charity tailgate in the NFL! There's NOTHING like it anywhere!

⏰ OFFICIAL START: 9:00 AM!

BUT… we'll be there earlier, and YOU SHOULD BE TOO! 🐯🧡🖤

🚧 With construction and gameday traffic, give yourself PLENTY of extra time to get downtown, get parked and make your way to the tailgate.

🔥 HERE'S WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU:

🎧 DJ Trub all morning + Trub's Time Machine around 10:30, sound powered by Cincinnati Music Accelerator!

🌭 Skyline Chili, first 500 coneys FREE! Coneys for purchase after the 500.

🍕 Donatos Pizza, FREE while supplies last!

🥯 Everything Bagels, FREE Bengals bagels & bagel chips!

🍴 Gather Catering with some amazing food options for purchase!

🍺 HighGrain beers, Garage Beer & Garage Lime Beers

🧢 Cincy Hats selling Bengal Jim & Friends collab hats along with other great merch!

🏈 Bengals Bids bringing the memorabilia!

🐯 Bengals legends Ickey Woods with the Jovante Woods Foundation & David and Judy Fulcher, with Fulcher's Foundation, both set up at the tailgate!

👑 KEN ANDERSON joins us for his 10th consecutive Opening Day at Bengal Jim & Friends! VERY special surprise for Kenny you're not gonna want to miss.

🎨 Face painting

📸 360° camera fun

💨 Tailgate Cigars for sale

🍹 HighCut Cocktails

🥃 Bengal Bombs throughout the morning

🍺 Beer + pop + water

🎤 PACMAN JONES WILL HIT THE STAGE TO PERFORM! And we're hoping to have Jimmie Allen joining him for the fun as well! 👀🔥

🧡 Our featured charity this week is Ken Anderson Alliance. This party has always been about more than football, it's about using this incredible Bengals community to help others.

33 YEARS. ONE INCREDIBLE TAILGATE FAMILY.

Wear your ORANGE. Get there EARLY. Bring the family. Bring the energy.

This Week’s Charity

This week's focused tailgate charity is KAA (Ken Anderson Alliance)!

Check out these RAFFLE PRIZES for Sunday's Bengal Jim & Friends Tailgate benefiting @KAAlliance14!

🎨 AMAZING @byHOLLISii painting signed by @7BOOMERESIASON, @JoeyB AND @KenAndersonNFL!

🎒 The NEW Cooler Backpack from @CincyHat!

🏈 @Real10jayy__ autographed jersey!

YOU HAVE TO BE AT THE TAILGATE TO WIN!

Make sure you grab your raffle tickets Sunday and help us raise some money for an incredible cause!

PARTY WITH A PURPOSE!