Final2021 Week 9

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 9 2021

Cleveland Browns

AwayWon

41

Cincinnati Bengals

Home

16

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Browns71710741
Bengals730616

CLE 41CIN 16 Final

  • Passing leader

    Joe Burrow

    CIN · QB

    9.4PPR pts

    28/40, 282 YDS, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Nick Chubb

    CLE · RB

    30.3PPR pts

    14 ATT, 137 YDS, 2 TD, 2 REC, 26 REC YDS

  • Bengals leader

    Joe Mixon

    CIN · RB

    28.0PPR pts

    13 ATT, 64 YDS, 2 TD, 5 REC, 46 REC YDS

  • Defensive playmaker

    Denzel Ward

    CLE

    1 INT, 1 TD, 2 TKL

Browns 41, Bengals 16: Cleveland beats Cincinnati

Cleveland led 24–10 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and outscored Cincinnati 17–6 after the break to win 41–16. The Browns finished with a narrow 361–348 edge in total offense and averaged 7.8 yards per play.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Bengals went 3-for-11 on third down and committed three turnovers, while the Browns finished without a giveaway.

The two teams meet again in Week 13 of 2026. If you roster anyone from either side, run the start/sit call in Redraft Command and it will weigh your lineup, your opponent and your league scoring, not only the player rankings.

Key advantages

  • +2.8 yards/play CLE 7.8 · CIN 5.0
  • +3 turnover margin CLE 0 turnovers
  • +13 total yards CLE 361 · CIN 348

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Brown or Bengal on your fantasy team?

Check their next matchup with the Start/Sit Tool, compare their value in the Fantasy Trade Calculator, or connect your league for personalized advice in Redraft Command.

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Why the Browns Won

Cleveland won the efficiency, turnover, and third-down battles.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Bengals
BrownsStatBengals
7.8Yards per play5.0
0Turnovers3
361Total yards348
Other team stats
46Plays70
33%Third-down conversion27%
24:38Time of possession35:22

Scoring Summary

The Browns scored five touchdowns and two field goals; the Bengals scored two touchdowns and one field goal.

Scoring plays, Browns vs Bengals
TimeTeamPlayCLECIN
1st quarter
8:43CLEDenzel Ward 99-yard interception return TD Takes leadChase McLaughlin XP70
4:10CINJoe Mixon 11-yard TD run Ties gameEvan McPherson XP77
2nd quarter
14:45CLENick Chubb 1-yard TD run Takes leadChase McLaughlin XP147
10:10CLEBaker Mayfield → Donovan Peoples-Jones, 60-yard TD Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP217
4:10CLEChase McLaughlin 28-yard FG Extends lead247
0:02CINEvan McPherson 27-yard FG2410
3rd quarter
8:00CLENick Chubb 70-yard TD run Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP3110
5:14CLEChase McLaughlin 24-yard FG Extends lead3410
4th quarter
13:51CINJoe Mixon 2-yard TD run2-pt try failed3416
4:27CLEBaker Mayfield → David Njoku, 18-yard TD Extends leadChase McLaughlin XP4116

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Bengals, Week 9 2021

Fantasy leaders

  1. Nick ChubbCLERB29.3 PTSRB3
  2. Joe MixonCINRB28.0 PTSRB4
  3. Baker MayfieldCLEQB16.7 PTSQB11
  4. Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR16.6 PTSWR14

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Joe BurrowCINQB8.4QB2428/402820221069.0Start/Sit →
Baker MayfieldCLEQB16.7QB1114/2121820———132.6Start/Sit →
Brandon AllenCINQB0.2QB321/260010056.3

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Nick ChubbCLERB29.3RB3RB14137222260
Joe MixonCINRB28.0RB4RB1364255460
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR16.6WR14WR———32861
Tee HigginsCINWR13.8WR19WR———86780Start/Sit →
David NjokuCLETE8.8TE20TE———31181
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR7.9WR45WR200136490Start/Sit →
Drew SampleCINTE6.6TE24TE———33360Start/Sit →
C.J. UzomahCINTE6.4TE26TE———54240
Samaje PerineCINRB5.7RB42RB520032170Start/Sit →
Harrison BryantCLETE4.6TE31TE———22260
Austin HooperCLETE3.4TE39TE———22140Start/Sit →
Demetric FeltonCLERB3.2RB53RB———11220
Jarvis LandryCLEWR3.1WR72WR10053110
Mike ThomasCINWR2.6WR79WR———11160
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR2.5WR81WR———11150
Tyler BoydCINWR2.1WR86WR———21110
Chris EvansCINRB2.1RB57RB———11110
D'Ernest JohnsonCLERB1.6RB60RB8160————

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Austin HooperTE35 snaps73%
  2. David NjokuTE35 snaps73%
  3. Jarvis LandryWR32 snaps67%
  4. Donovan Peoples-JonesWR29 snaps60%
  5. Anthony SchwartzWR28 snaps58%

Target Share19 targets

  1. Jarvis Landry26%, 5 targets
  2. David Njoku16%, 3 targets
  3. Donovan Peoples-Jones16%, 3 targets
  4. Austin Hooper11%, 2 targets
  5. Nick Chubb11%, 2 targets
  6. Other21%, 4 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Nick Chubb61%, 14 carries
  2. D'Ernest Johnson35%, 8 carries
  3. Jarvis Landry4%, 1 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseWR71 snaps95%
  2. Tyler BoydWR59 snaps79%
  3. Tee HigginsWR57 snaps76%
  4. C.J. UzomahTE48 snaps64%
  5. Joe MixonRB47 snaps63%

Target Share41 targets

  1. Ja'Marr Chase32%, 13 targets
  2. Tee Higgins20%, 8 targets
  3. C.J. Uzomah12%, 5 targets
  4. Joe Mixon12%, 5 targets
  5. Samaje Perine7%, 3 targets
  6. Other17%, 7 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Joe Mixon57%, 13 carries
  2. Samaje Perine22%, 5 carries
  3. Joe Burrow9%, 2 carries
  4. Ja'Marr Chase9%, 2 carries
  5. Brandon Allen4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR7195%1332%2
Tyler BoydCINWR5979%25%0
Tee HigginsCINWR5776%820%0
Austin HooperCLETE3573%211%0
David NjokuCLETE3573%316%0
Jarvis LandryCLEWR3267%526%1
C.J. UzomahCINTE4864%512%0
Joe MixonCINRB4763%512%13
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLEWR2960%316%0
Anthony SchwartzCLEWR2858%15%0
Nick ChubbCLERB2756%211%14
Harrison BryantCLETE2552%211%0
Drew SampleCINTE3851%37%0
Samaje PerineCINRB2533%37%5
D'Ernest JohnsonCLERB1633%00%8
Stanley MorganCINWR1419%00%0
Demetric FeltonCLERB613%15%0
Rashard HigginsCLEWR36%00%0
Chris EvansCINRB34%12%0
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE23%00%0

Fantasy Points vs Expected

Expected points (xFP) are what a player's pass attempts, carries and targets are worth at the league's average rates; the difference is what the player made of them.

  • Biggest overperformer+17.9Nick Chubb30.3 PTS vs 12.4 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−14.3Ja'Marr Chase8.9 PTS vs 23.2 xFP
  • Highest expected volume23.2 xFPJa'Marr Chase8.9 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR8.923.2−14.395%32% tgt—029%1332%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB9.418.9−9.592%40 att—4029%00%
Joe MixonCIN · RB28.016.8+11.263%57% car—01357%512%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR13.813.5+0.376%20% tgt—000%820%
Nick ChubbCLE · RB30.312.4+17.956%61% car—01461%211%
Baker MayfieldCLE · QB16.79.2+7.594%21 att—2100%00%
Jarvis LandryCLE · WR4.19.1−5.067%26% tgt—014%526%
C.J. UzomahCIN · TE6.48.4−2.064%12% tgt—000%512%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB5.78.3−2.633%22% car—0522%37%
D'Ernest JohnsonCLE · RB1.65.1−3.533%35% car—0835%00%
David NjokuCLE · TE8.85.1+3.773%16% tgt—000%316%
Donovan Peoples-JonesCLE · WR16.65.1+11.560%16% tgt—000%316%
Drew SampleCIN · TE6.65.1+1.551%7% tgt—000%37%
Austin HooperCLE · TE3.43.40.073%11% tgt—000%211%
Harrison BryantCLE · TE4.63.4+1.252%11% tgt—000%211%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR2.13.4−1.379%5% tgt—000%25%
Anthony SchwartzCLE · WR2.51.7+0.858%5% tgt—000%15%
Chris EvansCIN · RB2.11.7+0.44%2% tgt—000%12%
Demetric FeltonCLE · RB3.21.7+1.513%5% tgt—000%15%
Mike ThomasCIN · WR2.61.7+0.9—2% tgt—000%12%
Brandon AllenCIN · QB0.21.5−1.38%2 att—214%00%

Team totals: Browns 19 targets and 23 carries; Bengals 41 targets and 23 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts are from the weekly player logs (Sleeper), and include plays wiped out by penalties. Route counts, air yards and red-zone touches appear when the tracking feed is connected. League-average rates from the 2021 season: 1.68 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.64 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Baker Mayfield Ran hot

CLE · QB · 16.7 pts on 9.2 expected

14 of 21 passing for 218 yards, 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 9.2 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Start/Sit: Baker Mayfield →

Joe Burrow Unlucky

CIN · QB · 9.4 pts on 18.9 expected

28 of 40 passing for 282 yards, 2 interceptions; 2 carries for 1 yard.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Nick Chubb Ran hot

CLE · RB · 30.3 pts on 12.4 expected

2 targets (11% of the team's), 2 catches for 26 yards; 14 carries (61% of the team's) for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 12.4 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Jarvis Landry Unlucky

CLE · WR · 4.1 pts on 9.1 expected

5 targets (26% of the team's), 3 catches for 11 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 9.1 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Ja'Marr Chase Volume, no payoff

CIN · WR · 8.9 pts on 23.2 expected

13 targets (32% of the team's), 6 catches for 49 yards; 2 carries (9% of the team's) for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 23.2 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Ja'Marr Chase →

Joe Mixon Ran hot

CIN · RB · 28.0 pts on 16.8 expected

5 targets (12% of the team's), 5 catches for 46 yards; 13 carries (57% of the team's) for 64 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 16.8 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Donovan Peoples-Jones Ran hot

CLE · WR · 16.6 pts on 5.1 expected

3 targets (16% of the team's), 2 catches for 86 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 5.1 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Anthony Schwartz

CLE · WR · 2.5 pts on 1.7 expected

1 target (5% of the team's), 1 catch for 15 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 1.7 expected.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Anthony Schwartz played 58% of the snaps, up from a 33% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2021 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed toBrowns DBengals D
QBs16.716.0
RBs21.524.5
WRs28.631.7
TEs12.614.7

Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 56% win probability and fell below 2% in the third quarter.

Bengals win probability

Bengals win probability by game minuteBengals started at 56%, stood at 9% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 10 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −21Ward 99-yd pick-six56% → 34%Q1 8:43
  2. +22Mixon 11-yd TD run33% → 55%Q1 4:10
  3. −23Chubb 1-yd TD run55% → 32%Q2 14:45
  4. −18Mayfield → Peoples-Jones, 60-yd TD30% → 13%Q2 10:10
  5. −5Chubb 70-yd TD run6% → 1%Q3 8:00

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Bengals
Cleveland BrownsMeasureCincinnati Bengals
46Plays70
50%Pass rate67%
9.0Yds / dropback5.6
6.7Yds / carry3.7
3/9Third downs3/11

Efficiency edge Cleveland ran 24 fewer plays but gained 3.4 more yards per dropback.

  • Top targets
  • CLE Landry 26% · Njoku 16% · Peoples-Jones 16%
  • CIN Chase 32% · Higgins 20% · Uzomah 12%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Bengals
ResultCLECIN
Touchdowns42
Field goals21
Punts33
Turnovers03
Turnovers on downs02
Missed field goals10

CLE turnover edge: +3

  • The Bengals opened the scoring on their second possession, a 9-play, 75-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Browns scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 23 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CINQ1 15:0011756:17Interception
CINQ1 8:439754:33Touchdown
CLEQ1 4:109754:25Touchdown
CINQ2 14:458344:27Downs
CLEQ2 10:181600:08Touchdown
CINQ2 10:105262:39Fumble
CLEQ2 7:316203:21Field goal
CINQ2 4:1010684:08Field goal
CLEQ2 0:02000:02End of half
CLEQ3 15:006283:21Punt
CINQ3 11:395203:25Punt
CLEQ3 8:142700:14Touchdown
CINQ3 8:00361:26Interception
CLEQ3 6:34421:20Field goal
CINQ3 5:14301:55Punt
CLEQ3 3:193-42:12Punt
CINQ3 1:077602:16Touchdown
CLEQ4 13:519484:47Missed FG
CINQ4 9:044-42:05Downs
CLEQ4 6:596302:32Touchdown
CINQ4 4:274201:08Punt
CLEQ4 3:19382:16Punt
CINQ4 1:032111:03End of game
About these numbers

The Browns' interception touchdown is counted as a Bengals interception, not as a Browns possession. Possessions that ended with the clock running out at the half or the end of the game aren't counted.

Personnel groupings, average depth of target and pass rate over expected appear when the tracking feed is connected.

Browns vs Bengals Head-to-Head

The Browns and Bengals first met in 1970 and have played 105 times since. They have been AFC North rivals since 1999.

All-time series
56–49Bengals lead, 105 meetings since 1970
Postseason
0No playoff meetings
Largest Browns win
34–01987
Largest Bengals win
37–32015

Since 2021

5–5 Series tied

10 meetings since the 2021 season, regular season and playoffs.

Oldest to newest. CLE = Browns win, CIN = Bengals win, outlined = this game.

2026 Meetings

  • Week 13 Bengals at Browns Upcoming
  • Week 18 Browns at Bengals Upcoming

Recent Meetings

Season to Date (Through Week 18)

The 2021 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Bengals
BrownsStatBengals
8-9Record10-7
20.5Points per game27.1
340.6Yards per game361.5
5.5Yards per play5.9
21.8Points allowed per game22.1
311.5Yards allowed per game350.8

Browns vs Bengals Odds and Results

How this game finished against the betting lines.

Spread
CIN −2Bengals failed to cover by 27
Total
47.5Over: 57 points scored (by 9.5)

Expected vs Actual Scoring

Implied team totals against the actual score
TeamImpliedActualDifference
Bengals24.816−8.8
Browns22.841+18.3

The Browns beat their implied total and the Bengals fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.

Betting Trends

Each team's 2021 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.

Cleveland Browns

Against the spread
5–4
Over/under
5–4
ATS as favorite
3–3
ATS as underdog
2–1
ATS on the road
3–1

Cincinnati Bengals

Against the spread
4–5
Over/under
4–5
ATS as favorite
1–3
ATS as underdog
3–2
ATS at home
1–3

Lines: ESPN's consensus, captured at kickoff. Individual sportsbooks varied.

21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. Betting availability depends on your state.

Browns vs Bengals Fantasy Outlook for 2026

Two meetings are left on the 2026 schedule: Week 13 in Cleveland and Week 18 in Cincinnati. Here's how to decide who to play in your league.

Keep Exploring

2021 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2021 Browns vs Bengals Week 9 game?

The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 41–16 in Week 9 of the 2021 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on November 7, 2021. See the Browns' 2021 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Bengals?

The final score was Browns 41, Bengals 16. The Browns led 24–10 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 17, Bengals 6.

What happened in the Browns vs Bengals game?

Cleveland led 24–10 at halftime after a 17-point second quarter and outscored Cincinnati 17–6 after the break to win 41–16. The Browns finished with a narrow 361–348 edge in total offense and averaged 7.8 yards per play. Nick Chubb led all players with 2 catches for 26 yards, plus 14 carries for 137 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Bengals committed 3 turnovers, the Browns none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?

Nick Chubb led the game with 29.3 PPR fantasy points, the RB3 of Week 9, on 2 catches for 26 yards, plus 14 carries for 137 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Joe Mixon was next with 28.0 (RB4).

Who led Browns vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?

Joe Burrow (CIN) led all passers with 28 of 40 for 282 yards and 2 interceptions. Nick Chubb (CLE) led in rushing with 14 carries for 137 yards and 2 touchdowns. Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE) led in receiving with 2 catches for 86 yards and a touchdown.

How many fantasy points did Nick Chubb score against the Bengals?

Nick Chubb scored 29.3 points in PPR leagues, 28.3 in half-PPR and 27.3 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 9 of the 2021 season, on 2 catches for 26 yards, plus 14 carries for 137 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. He handled 61% of his team's carries.

Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?

Nick Chubb outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 30.3 PPR points on 12.4 xFP (+17.9). Ja'Marr Chase fell furthest short, with 8.9 points on 23.2 xFP (−14.3). A gap either way reflects efficiency and touchdowns in one game; it is not a forecast. For matchups ahead, see fantasy points allowed by position.

Who had the highest expected fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?

Ja'Marr Chase had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 23.2 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 8.9. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Browns beat the Bengals?

The Browns beat the Bengals 41–16 because they averaged 7.8 yards per play to 5.0, won the turnover battle 3–0, and outgained them 361–348.

Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Bengals?

The Browns won the turnover battle 3–0: the Bengals gave the ball away 3 times and the Browns not at all. The Browns won the game.

What is the all-time Browns vs Bengals record?

The Bengals lead the all-time series 56–49 across 105 meetings since 1970.

When did the Browns and Bengals last play before this game?

Before Week 9 of 2021, they last met in the 2020 season on October 25, 2020, when the Browns beat the Bengals 37–34.

What was the closing spread for Browns vs Bengals?

The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bengals −2, making the Cincinnati Bengals 2-point favorites, with a closing total of 47.5. That implied about 24.8 points for the Bengals and 22.8 for the Browns.

Did Browns vs Bengals go over or under the total?

The game went over. The consensus closing total was 47.5, and the teams combined for 57 points, 9.5 over the number.

Who covered the spread in Browns vs Bengals?

The Browns covered as 2-point underdogs against the closing line of Bengals −2. The final margin was 25 points.