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In a world where the NFL makes confetti-driven events out of minimal updates (like releasing the 2014 regular season schedule), there's a curiosity with the Cincinnati Bengals schedule. From week 8-10, Cincinnati plays three consecutive homes games against the Ravens, Jaguars and Browns. After that, Cincinnati won't play their next home game until Dec. 7 due to having three straight road games in New Orleans, Houston and Tampa Bay.
And those three straight road games aren't necessarily short trips. According to DistanceByCity.net, the Bengals will travel 1,608 miles to and from New Orleans. Another 1,832 miles to and from Tampa Bay and then 2,098 miles to and from Houston. That's 4,998 miles for three straight road games.
In looking at other team's schedules, the Pittsburgh Steelers actually have three consecutive at home (week 7-9), but never more than two straight on the road. The Baltimore Ravens and Cleveland Browns have no three-game stretches at home or away.
Outside of the division, the New England Patriots play three straight at home (week 7-9) but only two stretches where they play two consecutive games on the road (week 1-2, week 13-14). The Indianapolis Colts follow their week 10 bye with three straight home games against the Patriots, Jaguars and Redskins (week 11-13). Someone felt sorry for the Raiders, giving them a bye week between three straight home games. Oakland plays the Patriots in New England on Sept. 21 and won't play another road game until Oct. 26. The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, New Orleans, Minnesota Vikings, Chicago Bears also have a stretch of three straight home games. Green Bay and San Diego have a bye week pressed against two-straight home games as well.
At least the Bengals aren't completely alone with their road games. The Denver Broncos will play three straight on the road in New England, Oakland and St. Louis (8,132 miles to and from each city). Tampa Bay will visit Atlanta, Pittsburgh and New Orleans from week 3-5 -- then from week 9-15, play five of seven on the road. St. Louis visits Kansas City, San Francisco and Arizona from week 8-10.
In other words, nine teams have three straight home games while four have three straight road games. The Bengals oddly have both -- the only team to do so.