The 2017 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 48th season in the National Football League, their 50th overall and their 15th under head coach Marvin Lewis. After starting 0–2, scoring only 9 points, and not scoring any touchdowns in their first two games, the Bengals fired offensive coordinator Ken Zampese. Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Zampese. The Bengals suffered back to back losing seasons for the first time since 2007–2008. However, the Bengals were able to knock off two teams contending for the playoffs at the end of their season, the Detroit Lions in Week 16, and the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17 which helped the Buffalo Bills reach the postseason for the first time since 1999.
Offseason
Free agents
Unrestricted
Restricted and Exclusive-Rights
Signings
Departures
Draft
Staff
Final roster
Preseason
Regular season
Schedule
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
Game summaries
Week 1: vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Bengals started the season at home against the Ravens. In the first quarter, the Ravens scored as Justin Tucker kicked a 25-yard field goal to make it 3–0. They would increase their lead in the second quarter when Joe Flacco found Jeremy Maclin on a 48-yard pass to make it 10–0. This would be followed up by a 2-yard touchdown run by Terrence West to make the score 17–0 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Ravens would go back to work with Tucker kicking yet another 25-yard field goal to make the score 20–0. A scoreless fourth quarter made this the eventual final score of the game.
With the loss, the Bengals started their season 0–1. This is the team's first shut-out loss at home since 2001.
Andy Dalton set a new career high for total turnovers in a game with 5 (4 interceptions, 1 lost fumble)
Week 2: vs. Houston Texans
The Bengals stayed home for a Thursday Night duel against the Texans. In the first quarter the Texans jumped out to an early lead when Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 26-yard field goal to make it 3–0. The Bengals tied it up in the second quarter when Randy Bullock kicked a 39-yard field goal to make it 3–3. Though the Texans would then retake the lead when DeShaun Watson ran for a 49-yard touchdown to make it 10–3. Bullock closed out the first half scoring with a 29-yard field goal to make it 10–6 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Bengals went back to work when Bullock kicked a 30-yard field goal to get his team within a point making the score 10–9. In the fourth quarter, the Texans moved ahead by 4 after Fairbairn kicked a 42-yard field goal to make it 13–9. The Bengals tried to come back with seconds left but after a failed fourth down conversion attempt, the Texans were able to seal the victory.
With the loss, the Bengals dropped to 0–2. This would be the team's first 0–2 start since 2008. They are also the first team to open a season with two home games without scoring a touchdown since the 1939 Eagles.
Week 3: at Green Bay Packers
The Bengals traveled Lambeau Field to take on the Packers. In the first quarter, the Bengals scored first when Andy Dalton found A. J. Green on a 10-yard pass to make it 7–0. Though the Packers would respond by tying the game up at 7–7 when Aaron Rodgers found Lance Kendricks on a 1-yard pass. In the second quarter, it was all Bengals when Dalton found Giovani Bernard on a 6-yard pass to make it 14–7. This would be followed up by Cornerback William Jackson III intercepting Rodgers and returning it 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 21–7 at halftime. In the third quarter, the Packers got to work as Rodgers would find Jordy Nelson on a 1-yard pass to make it 21–14. They would draw closer in the fourth quarter after Mason Crosby kicked a 28-yard field goal to make it 21–17. The Bengals then moved ahead by a touchdown again after Randy Bullock kicked a 46-yard field goal to make it 24–17. However, the Packers tied it up later on when Rodgers and Nelson connected again this time on a 3-yard pass to make it 24–24. In overtime, the Bengals won the toss but went three-and-out. After the Packers got the ball, Rodgers found Geronimo Allison on a 72-yard pass that set up Mason Crosby's game-winning field goal from 27 yards out to make the final score 27–24.
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–3. The team would face their first 0–3 start since 2008.