The 2020 season was the Cincinnati Bengals' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 53rd overall, and their second under head coach Zac Taylor.

The Bengals began their season at home against the Chargers in what would be the debut pro game for new starting QB and first round draft pick Joe Burrow.

The Chargers tacked on a pair of field goals in the second quarter to make it 7-6 when Michael Badgley made them from 24 and 43 yards out for a 1-point deficit at halftime.

The Bengals then scored a pair of field goals of their own in the third quarter, when Randy Bullock made 50 and 43 yarders for a TD lead of 13–6.

However, in the fourth, the Chargers took the lead as Joshua Kelley ran for a 5-yard TD, followed up by Badgley kicking a 22-yard field goal to make it 16–13.

After a what appeared to be a TD pass from Burrow to Green was overturned due to an offensive penalty, the Bengals then brought out Bullock for the game-tying field goal to send the game into overtime.

After losing their regular season-opening game at home, the Bengals then traveled to Cleveland to face the Browns for Battle of Ohio Round 1.

In the second quarter, the Browns went up by double digits when Baker Mayfield found O'dell Beckham Jr. on a 43-yard TD pass to make it 14–3.

The Eagles padded their lead to 16–10 early in the third on a Jake Elliott field goal, but Higgins' second touchdown reception of the afternoon put the Bengals back in front, 17–16.

Cincinnati built its lead to seven points with two Randy Bullock field goals in the fourth quarter, but a last-minute touchdown run by Carson Wentz would tie the game and force overtime.

In overtime, the two defenses would hold strong, with neither team being able to get in scoring range until the Eagles got to the Bengals' 41 late in the extra period.

However, a false start on fourth down would move Philadelphia out of field goal range, and they punted with only a few seconds left.

With their fourth tie in 13 seasons and their second in their past four meetings against the Eagles, the Bengals improved to 0–2–1 and remained in last place in the AFC North.

QB Joe Burrow earned his first win as an NFL starter, throwing for 300 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

In the fourth quarter, however, it was all Colts when Rivers found Jack Doyle on a 14-yard touchdown pass, taking the lead at 28–27.

In a back-and-forth fourth quarter, the Browns took the lead when Mayfield found David Njoku on a 16-yard touchdown pass to make it 24–20.

The Bengals moved into a late lead when Joe Burrow found Giovani Bernard on a 3-yard touchdown pass to make it 34–31.

And then Tannehill found Corey Davis on a 12-yard touchdown pass (with a failed 2-point conversion) to make the final score 31–20.

In the first quarter, the Steelers jumped out to a 12–0 lead after 2 field goals from Chris Boswell, from 41 and 30 yards out, followed by Ben Roethlisberger connecting with Diontae Johnson on a 12-yard TD pass (with a failed 2-point conversion).

The Bengals responded in the second quarter, coming within 5 when Joe Burrow found Tee Higgins on a 2-yard TD pass to make it 12–7.

However, the Steelers would pull away by double digits before halftime when Roethlisberger found JuJu Smith-Schuster on an 8-yard TD pass to make it 19–7.

The Bengals were able to tie it up when Brandon Wilson returned the ensuing kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown to make the score 7–7.

They would take a 7–0 lead for the first quarter's only score when Brandon Allen found Tyler Boyd on a 72-yard touchdown pass.

With the Ravens' win over the Cowboys on Tuesday Night, they are also assured to finish in last place in the AFC North for the third straight season.

Their first score came after Ben Roethlisberger botched a snap in the first quarter at his 19; the ensuing Bengals drive ended in a short field goal.

A missed second field goal attempt by the Bengals was followed by a JuJu Smith-Schuster fumble forced by Vonn Bell.

With the upset win, the Bengals improved to 3–10–1 and snapped an 11-game losing streak to the Steelers which dates back to Week 8 of the 2015 season.

Though, the Texans would tie it up when Brandin Cooks caught a 25-yard TD pass from DeShaun Watson, making it 10–10 at halftime.

However, the Texans were able to take the lead when Watson found Darren Fells on a 22-yard TD pass, making the score 31–27.

The Bengals attempted to play the role of spoiler and possibly deny the Ravens of a playoff spot, but were instead blown out 38–3, failing to post their first three-game winning streak since 2015.