The 2022 NFL Schedule: Bearcats Edition

Take a look at all of the relevant matchups involving rookie UC players.

Author:
Russ Heltman
May 13, 2022 10:12 AM EDT

CINCINNATI — The 2022 NFL Schedule is here, and it's time to take a look at it from a Bearcats' perspective. Cincinnati will have roughly 8-10 rookies on rosters this season, so let's take a look at the most intriguing games featuring fresh Bearcats in the NFL.

*All games are played on Sunday unless otherwise noted.

Week One: Chiefs @ Cardinals

We kick the season off and immediately get multiple former Bearcat stars matching up. Chiefs safety Bryan Cook and tight end Travis Kelce go up against edge rusher Myjai Sanders on the other side of the ball.

Kelce and Sanders could very well face off in a few pass-rushing battles throughout the game, which kicks off at 4:25 p.m. ET.

Week Three: Chiefs @ Colts; Bengals @ Jets; Falcons @ Seahawks

Get your multi-TV set up ready for this weekend. The action starts with the UC Chief-contingent taking on Alec Pierce and the Colts at 1 p.m. ET. Expect Cook to play coverage on Pierce at least once or twice in the heat of the action.

The section of Bengals/UC fans will have a hard time deciding who to cheer on when Ja'Marr Chase and Cincinnati take on Ahmad Gardner and the Jets at 1 p.m. ET. Gardner should be New York's No. 1 option for Chase in what figures to be an awesome mono-e-mono battle between two of the best young talents in the sport.

Sticking with the mono-e-mono theme, Desmond Ridder gets to test his skills against cornerback Coby Bryant when the Falcons travel west to play Seattle at 4:25 p.m. ET. The big question is how much Ridder will be playing at this point in the year. Should he win the starting job quickly, this could be the best Bearcat-centric matchup in Week Three.

Week Seven: Falcons @ Bengals

The Return of The King.

Cincinnati's greatest player in program history returns to Cincinnati for what will likely be Ridder's only game at Paul Brown Stadium for eight years if he sticks with the Falcons. There should be plenty of Falcons and UC red in PBS on October 23 at 1 p.m. ET.

Week 10: Falcons @ Panthers (Thursday)

The Falcons only play one primetime game this upcoming season and it's a Thursday night affair against Carolina. Ridder played on Thursday one time at Cincinnati in a 24-14 win over UCLA to kick off the 2019 season.

The passer finished 7-1 as a starter in weeknight games during his UC career.

Week 17: Cardinals @ Falcons

Our final instance of the season for a Bearcat battle.

Myjai Sanders never got a clean chance to sack Ridder in college but he'll get his opportunity when the two sides meet at 1 p.m. ET on the penultimate weekend of the NFL season.

Make sure you bookmark All Bearcats for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more.

You May Also Like:

Three-Star 2023 Target Locks Commitment Date; Wes Miller Offers Top-55 2024 Player

Watch: Desmond Ridder Arrives at Atlanta Falcons Facility for Rookie Minicamp

Recruiting Roundup: Bearcats Offer Top-10 2024 Athlete; Three More Recruits

Bearcats Peppered Across NFL Rookie of the Year Betting Markets

Ahmad Gardner, Alec Pierce Make List of Top-10 Scheme Fits

Look: Ahmad Gardner Buys Permanent Jersey Number From Jets Teammate

Bearcats Move up in Latest ESPN Recruiting Rankings

Bearcats Offer Four-Star 2023 Center; Bring in 2024 Sharpshooter for a Visit

Watch: Ahmad Gardner Practices With Jets Rookies, Signs Rookie Contract

PFF Lists Coby Bryant as 'Instant-Impact Day Three Rookie'