The worst-kept secret in the NFL is now official — the league will have a 17th game in 2021.
As we’ve mentioned in the past, a 17th game means the Cincinnati Bengals will play host to the San Francisco 49ers at Paul Brown Stadium next year.
As things stand now, the AFC will host all of the extra games in 2021, with the NFC then hosting the rest the following year.
The 2020 standings helped dictate this upcoming 49ers vs. Bengals clash, as did the basis of it being cross-conference matchups from two years ago.
Two years ago, Cincinnati took a 41-17 loss to the 49ers. But the Bengals hope they’re on an upswing around Joe Burrow this time around, while the 49ers are trying to forget a down season and potentially have a quarterback controversy coming up thanks to the draft.
Beginning in 2021, the NFL is expanding to a 17-game regular season. pic.twitter.com/skNisJwPS2
— NFL (@NFL) March 30, 2021
