The Cincinnati Bengals 2012 NFL Schedule

After the long wait, the NFL released the 2012 NFL schedule on Tuesday. Here are a couple of highlights. The Cincinnati Bengals have three prime time games this year. For the first time since 2007, the Bengals will kickoff the season on Monday Night, in Baltimore. It's the first time the Bengals have opened the season on Monday Night Football since 2007 (Cincinnati beat Baltimore 27-20) and the first time the Bengals have played on Monday Night Football since November 8, 2010 (Bengals lost to the Steelers 27-21).

In week seven the Bengals will host the Pittsburgh Steelers on NBC's Sunday Night Football, just before their week eight bye. In mid-December the Bengals travel to Philadelphia for a Thursday Night game in week 15 on December 13, 2012. The last time the Bengals played on Thursday was a Thanksgiving night game against the New York Jets -- which they lost 26-10.

• The Bengals will also their first regular season game in week two against the Cleveland Browns.
• The Carson Palmer return will take place in week 12 on November 25.
• Cincinnati's regular season will conclude against divisional foes against the Steelers (week 16) and Ravens (week 17).
• The Bengals play three of their first four games (and four of their first six) on the road.
• From October 15 through November 17, the Bengals will have no road games.