The New Orleans Saints are set to take a mid-to-late season trip to Cincinnati for one of the most interesting AFC matchups on the Saints’ schedule. Cincinnati isn’t a traditional Saints “rival” but the game always carries extra meaning now because of the LSU ties on Cincinnati’s roster with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. That connection, combined with the caliber of the opponent, gives this matchup a little bit more weight than a standard AFC-NFC showdown.
The Bengals hold a narrow one-game lead in the all-time series and also won the most recent matchup in 2022. When the two teams meet again in Week 12 of the 2026 NFL season, the Saints will be trying to even the all-time series while also trying to pick up a much-needed road win at Paycor Stadium
Upcoming game in Saints vs. Bengals
When: Sunday, Nov. 29 (Week 12) at Noon CT
Where: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.
Record: Bengals lead 8-7.
Last meeting in Saints vs. Bengals
- Bengals won 30-26 on Oct. 16, 2022.
The last Saints vs. Bengals matchup came in October 2022, and it turned from an early lead into a painful missed opportunity. The Saints led for most of the afternoon, even carrying a 20-14 lead into halftime, but the Bengals surged late behind Burrow and Chase. Burrow threw three total touchdowns, including the go-ahead 60-yard touchdown pass to Chase in the fourth quarter. For the Saints, Andy Dalton threw for 162 yards against his former team, while Rashid Shaheed gave one of the biggest plays of the day with a 44-yard rushing touchdown. It was a brutal loss that dropped New Orleans to 2-4 early in the season.
Common connections in Saints vs. Bengals
As mentioned earlier, both Burrow and Chase attended LSU, which is within driving distance of New Orleans. Both players starred with the Tigers, giving this game a stronger local connection.
Bengals linebackers coach Mike Hodges spent five seasons in the same role with the Saints and an additional three seasons in New Orleans with different titles. He helped further the emergence of linebacker DeMario Davis.
Notable changes since the last meeting in Saints vs. Bengals
- Cincinnati made a blockbuster pre-draft trade, parting ways with the No. 10 overall pick to acquire Pro Bowl defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence. It’s one of many moves that de facto general manager Duke Tobin made this offseason to rebuff the team’s defense and extend the championship window behind Burrow.
- The Bengals made several key additions to their defense in free agency, signing Super Bowl-winning pass-rusher Boye Mafe (3-years, $60 million), former Kansas City Chiefs safety Bryan Cook (3-years, $40.25 million), and former Minnesota Vikings standout defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (2-years, $25 million).
- Chase Brown is the lead back for the Bengals, a role held by Joe Mixon the last time the two teams met. Brown is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is a candidate for a contract extension.
As is the story in several games this season, this matchup will be a significant test for the Saints’ secondary. Cincinnati has the quarterback and wide receiver talent to punish the smallest mistakes, and New Orleans knows very well how quickly Burrow and Chase can flip a game upside down. If Kool-Aid McKinstry and Quincy Riley can emerge as above-average young cornerbacks and hold Chase and Tee Higgins to minimal production, the Saints will greatly improve their odds of winning.
Seeing how the Saints’ offensive line looks to contain Lawrence on the inside will be a critical factor in who controls this game. If New Orleans can’t get Travis Etienne Jr. and the running game going in order to establish the passing game, it could fall on the shoulders of second-year quarterback Tyler Shough.
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 2026 Saints Schedule: Previewing midseason road matchup vs. Bengals