Photo: twitter.com/bengalspr
The Cincinnati Bengals snap a team photo at Paycor Stadium in September 2022.
Football fans in Cincinnati have quite a lot to look forward to this year, especially after last season's heroics.
For the 2022-2023 season, the Cincinnati Bengals are promising to go even bigger and better now that they've got some mojo with their recent Super Bowl run. The Bengals will kick off the regular NFL season against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati's Paycor Stadium on Sept. 11. Below, check out everything you need to know about the home opener as well as what's coming up in the season.
The Bengals' season ahead
The Bengals go into the 2022-2023 season as AFC champions after battling toe to toe with the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI in February. The team, which went 10-7 during the last regular season, fell to the Rams during the final two minutes of the game but reaffirmed and energized fan interest with incredible post-season playoff wins.The Bengals' season is brimming with both long-standing and newer rivalries, including an exciting home slate and five primetime television spots. Season highlights include Oct. 16 at New Orleans (where quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase excelled at Louisiana State University), Oct. 31 at Cleveland, and a great December run: Dec. 4 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs (home), Dec. 11 in a second round with the Cleveland Browns (home), Dec. 18 against un-retired Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers (away) and Dec. 24 against the New England Patriots (away).
The team will debut its new white tiger alternate helmet during the Sept. 29 game against the Miami Dolphins. The game also will feature inductions into the Bengals' Ring of Honor as well as fireworks, a news release says. Fans can watch the Bengals in primetime several times this season. At Paul Brown Stadium, the team will battle the Miami Dolphins at 8:15 p.m. Sept. 29 (viewable on Prime Video) and the Buffalo Bills at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 2 (ABC/ESPN). On the road, the Bengals will take on the Ravens at 8:20 p.m. Oct. 9 (NBC), the Browns at 8:15 p.m. on Halloween (ESPN) and the Steelers at 8:20 p.m. on Nov. 20 (NBC). The team's five primetime spots are the maximum permitted by the NFL.
A new stadium name
On Aug. 9, the Cincinnati Bengals announced that Paul Brown Stadium now is called Paycor Stadium, named for a human resources software company that's based in Cincinnati. In a news release, the Bengals say that Paycor branding now can be found throughout the stadium.That's not the only new name at Cincinnati's football stadium, though. The release also notes that the gate formerly known as "Gate B" has been renamed the altafiber Northwest Gate, while the former "Gate C" is now the Betfred Northeast Gate.
To enter the stadium, fans can scan their tickets at new pedestals and tap their phones to enter. Kickoff against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sept. 11 is at 1 p.m.
Tailgate tradition
Fans can tailgate at The Banks before Bengals games. For the season opener, fans can arrive as early as 10 a.m. to the DORA district on E. Freedom Way between Race Street and Joe Nuxhall Way. The tailgate area will feature games, music and food.
Winning ways
Cincinnati Bengals fans hungry for a win will have a little help again this season, because when the team wins, Gold Star Chili will help celebrate. As the regional chili chain has done in the past, Gold Star will give fans one free regular 3-, 4- or 5-Way with the purchase of another one of equal or greater value. The Who Day Way promotion is good all season long no matter if the win occurs on home turf or elsewhere.
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