While all 17 regular season games are important, the 4-9 Cincinnati Bengals are truly facing a must-win game today against the division rival Baltimore Ravens. After all, the Bengals are the NFL’s only team with four or fewer wins that have yet to be eliminated from the playoffs.
Cincinnati does have the benefit of having home-field advantage, playing host to the Ravens at Paycor Stadium. Yet, by the way the organization has handled their pre-game preparation, it’s almost as if the Bengals weren’t ready for today’s game.
Specifically, Bengals officials opted against having someone clear off the snow in each of the stadium’s seats. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, not clearing snow off the seats is a violation of the NFL’s playing field policy.
A lot of snow remained on seats about 15 minutes prior to kickoff from Paycor Stadium Sunday afternoon.
— WLWT (@WLWT) December 14, 2025
The kickoff temperature was 10 degrees with a -1 wind chill. It's the fifth-coldest game in Bengals history. pic.twitter.com/n45qCZ9bRS
Here’s what the policy states:
“Each home club is responsible for having a snow removal plan in place and ensuring that its stadium has adequate snow removal equipment available. Snow and ice must be removed from the stadium before all games. This applies to the playing field, sidelines, seating bowl, aisles, pedestrian ramps, walkways, parking lots, etc. This also applies to the sidelines; snow may not be pushed into piles and remain against stadium walls so that it interferes with standard game or sideline operations.”
Hello from Paycor where it will be 12 degrees at kickoff for Bengals vs Ravens pic.twitter.com/3U3PajvjKb
— Kelsey Conway (@KelseyLConway) December 14, 2025
When the Bengals were reached for comment, they responded with, “Seat aisles were prioritized and are in good shape. Seats are easily wiped off and ushers are equipped to help there.”
Well then, with ushers who are equipped to help, and if the seats are so “easily wiped off,” then why didn’t the Bengals “easily” do that?
Besides, what about those who may not be able to “easily” wipe off the snow and possible ice forming on the seat? No one wants to get to a game and be forced to sit on a cold, wet seat for over three hours, yet the Bengals don’t seem to care what their fans have to go through.
#Bengals Paycor Stadium has some seats covered in snow.
— Santori Miles (@Cincy_Suave2) December 14, 2025
Not a big deal
But maybe we can clean the snow and ice in the handicap section pic.twitter.com/4pusNSFP2H
Related: 2025 NFL Report Card: Grading All 32 Teams Before Week 15
