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The NFL released the preseason schedule on Monday. Dates and times haven’t been announced, but here’s a first look at the opponents for the Cincinnati Bengals: Week 1 (Aug. 10-14) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers This will be the first chance to see a slightly revamped Bengals squad. With the departures of Andrew Whitworth, Kevin Zeitler and Domata Peko, and the release of Rey Maualuga, the Bengals will be breaking in a lot of new starters. This also could be the first preseason game Vontaze Burfict sees time in since 2014. He missed the 2015 preseason with an injury and did not play in the 2016 preseason due to his pending suspension. The Bengals have held joint practices against their opening preseason opponent for the last two years, but nothing has been announced for joint practices against the Buccaneers. Week 2 (Aug. 17-21) vs. Kansas City Chiefs The Bengals have played the Chiefs eight times in the preseason but have never beaten them. Although the starters typically get their most playing time in Week 3, the Bengals have stressed that it will be important for offensive linemen Jake Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi to get a full offseason. Ogbuehi in particular had injuries that caused him to miss significant time in his first two preseasons. That also will apply to 2016 draft picks Andrew Billings and William Jackson III, who missed the entire preseason with injuries. The Bengals will be trying to get all of them significant snaps this summer. Week 3 (Aug. 27) at Washington Redskins The Bengals and Redskins will play at 4:30 p.m. E.T. on a nationally televised game on Fox. The teams faced off in the regular season in London last year, a game that ended in a tie. Because the starters will play the most snaps in this game, this will be the closest thing to a rematch the teams will get. Week 4 (Aug. 31- Sept 1) at Indianapolis Colts The Bengals and Colts traditionally play the final preseason game due to the close proximity of the teams. They're only separated by about 100 miles and have played 25 preseason games. There won't be many starters playing in this game, but it will be important for the players trying to make the roster. Last year, Alex Erickson's impressive preseason performance, which included a few nice returns against the Colts, was enough to unseat longtime kick returner Brandon Tate and earn him a spot on the 53-man roster. While the Bengals tend to keep rookies they draft, they'll have 11 picks if they don't make any trades. A good performance in this last game could be the difference between making the roster and going to the practice squad.
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