The 1968 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's inaugural season. Their head coach was Paul Brown, who left the Cleveland Browns following the 1962 season with National Football League (NFL) record of 115–49–6, seven conference titles, and three NFL championships. His son Mike Brown did a study on pro football expansion and recommended Cincinnati as a potential site. In 1965, Brown met with Governor of Ohio James Rhodes and the two agreed the state could accommodate a second pro football team. The team recorded its first win in franchise history in week 2 with a 24–10 victory over the Denver Broncos.

Timeline to establishment

Offseason

Common draft

Preseason

Regular season

Schedule

Standings

Game summaries

Week 1

at San Diego Stadium, San Diego, California

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Sunday September 29

Week 5

Sunday October 6

Week 6

Sunday October 13

Week 7

Sunday October 20

Week 8

Sunday October 28

Week 9

Sunday November 3

Week 10

Sunday November 10

Week 11

Sunday, November 17

Week 12

Sunday November 24

Week 13

Sunday December 1

Week 14

Sunday December 8

Personnel

Staff/Coaches

Final roster

Awards and records

AFL Rookie of the Year

AFL Pro Bowl Selections

Highlights

Paul Robinson led the AFL in rushing with 1023 yards and was named Rookie of the Year.