Cincinnati Bengals’ Opponent To Host Brazil Game, But They Are Not an Option for It

CINCINNATI — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced some key details about the league’s first game to be played in Brazil during Monday’s press conference at the Super Bowl.

Goodell said the game will be held in Week 1 on Friday, Sept. 6, and that the Philadelphia Eagles will be the host team.

The Cincinnati Bengals are scheduled to play the Eagles in 2024, but they are not eligible to be the opponent as the game between the two teams will be played in Cincinnati.

Bengals Not an Option To Play Eagles in Brazil

The Bengals are still a candidate — and a likely one — to be the opponent for the Germany game next season against the Carolina Panthers.

The Brazil game will take place in São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena, home to Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians. The stadium was an official venue for both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.

This will mark the first time the NFL has played a Friday game on opening weekend since 1970 and just the third time in the Super Bowl era. One of the other instances involved the Bengals when they played the first game in franchise history on Friday night in San Diego, falling to the Chargers 29-13.

This will be the 19th NFL game played on a Friday regardless of the week, the most recent of which was this season when the New York Jets played host to the Miami Dolphins in the first-ever Black Friday game.

#Dolphins S Jevon Holland makes up for Tua’s 2nd INT by intercepting a Hail Mary and returning it 99 yards for a TD 🤯

BRUTAL end to the half for the #Jets #FinsUp | #TakeFlight

pic.twitter.com/NkFV89I5SM

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 24, 2023

While the Bengals are not an option to be the Eagles’ opponent in Brazil, two other AFC North teams are.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and Cleveland Browns are scheduled to play on the road against Philadelphia this season. And given that both are coming off playoff seasons, they would be strong options, especially the Steelers, who traditionally have one the strongest traveling fan bases in the league.

The Eagles’ three NFC North Division opponents — the Washington Commanders, New York Giants, and Dallas Cowboys — are also possibilities. But while the league tends to lean into division games in Week 1, it rarely schedules them as part of the International Series.

The other four options are the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, and Jacksonville Jaguars.

You can count out the Panthers, given that they are slated to play in Germany, and the Jaguars have been announced as a host team in London, as they have been for years.

MORE: Offensive Line Options for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Packers are another team, like the Steelers, that is coming off a playoff berth and has a large traveling fan base.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!