Final2023 Week 18

Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH

Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 18 2023

Cleveland Browns

Away

14

Cincinnati Bengals

HomeWon

31

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Browns0001414
Bengals14107031

CLE 14CIN 31 Final

  • Passing leader

    Jeff Driskel

    CLE · QB

    15.9PPR pts

    13/26, 166 YDS, 2 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Joe Mixon

    CIN · RB

    24.7PPR pts

    14 ATT, 111 YDS, 1 TD, 1 REC, 6 REC YDS, 1 REC TD

  • Browns leader

    David Bell

    CLE · WR

    22.8PPR pts

    4 REC, 68 YDS, 2 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jordan Battle

    CIN

    1 INT, 1 SACK, 4 TKL

Bengals 31, Browns 14: Cincinnati leads from start to finish

Cincinnati led 24–0 at halftime and won 31–14, though Cleveland took the second half 14–7. The Bengals finished with a 328–244 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play.

Cleveland didn't get on the board until the fourth quarter.

The gap showed up everywhere. The Browns went 2-for-11 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Bengals kept the ball for 35:46.

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

  • +0.8 yards/play CIN 5.4 · CLE 4.6
  • +1 turnover margin CIN 1 · CLE 2 turnovers
  • +84 total yards CIN 328 · CLE 244

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 Bengals Won

Cincinnati won the efficiency, turnover, third-down, and time of possession battles.

Team stats comparison, Browns vs Bengals
BrownsStatBengals
4.6Yards per play5.4
2Turnovers1
244Total yards328
Other team stats
53Plays61
18%Third-down conversion25%
24:14Time of possession35:46

Scoring Summary

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

Scoring plays, Browns vs Bengals
TimeTeamPlayCLECIN
1st quarter
6:07CINJoe Mixon 1-yard TD run Takes leadEvan McPherson XP07
0:48CINJake Browning → Joe Mixon, 6-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP014
2nd quarter
9:19CINJake Browning → Andrei Iosivas, 3-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP021
1:55CINEvan McPherson 45-yard FG Extends lead024
3rd quarter
3:32CINJake Browning → Andrei Iosivas, 7-yard TD Extends leadEvan McPherson XP031
4th quarter
8:45CLEJeff Driskel → David Bell, 31-yard TDRiley Patterson XP731
2:34CLEJeff Driskel → David Bell, 24-yard TDRiley Patterson XP1431

Fantasy Points: Browns vs Bengals, Week 18 2023

Fantasy leaders

  1. Joe MixonCINRB24.7 PTSRB5
  2. David BellCLEWR22.8 PTSWR7
  3. Andrei IosivasCINWR20.6 PTSWR11
  4. Jake BrowningCINQB19.0 PTSQB9

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Jeff DriskelCLEQB15.9QB1813/2616622733063.9
Jake BrowningCINQB19.0QB918/24156312180113.9
AJ McCarronCINQB0.8QB353/42000———85.4

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Joe MixonCINRB24.7RB5RB1411112161
David BellCLEWR22.8WR7WR———44682
Andrei IosivasCINWR20.6WR11WR———75362
Charlie JonesCINWR9.2WR41WR213033490Start/Sit →
Cedric TillmanCLEWR7.3WR52WR———63430Start/Sit →
Pierre StrongCLERB6.5RB36RB146501000
Chase BrownCINRB6.3RB38RB1143021100Start/Sit →
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR5.9WR59WR———64190Start/Sit →
Trenton IrwinCINWR5.4WR62WR———22340
Jordan AkinsCLETE5.4TE24TE———63240
Jerome FordCLERB5.2RB44RB36032260
Tanner HudsonCINTE3.1TE39TE———22110
Drew SampleCINTE2.7TE44TE———2270Start/Sit →
Kareem HuntCLERB1.5RB65RB———1150
Tyler BoydCINWR1.4WR110WR———2140
James ProcheCLEWR0.0—WR———4000
Trayveon WilliamsCINRB-0.2—RB1-20————

Fantasy Usage

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. David BellWR52 snaps98%
  2. James ProcheWR50 snaps94%
  3. Leroy WatsonTE45 snaps85%
  4. Harrison BryantTE35 snaps66%
  5. Jordan AkinsTE34 snaps64%

Target Share25 targets

  1. Jordan Akins24%, 6 targets
  2. Cedric Tillman24%, 6 targets
  3. James Proche16%, 4 targets
  4. David Bell16%, 4 targets
  5. Jerome Ford12%, 3 targets
  6. Other8%, 2 targets

Carry Share24 carries

  1. Pierre Strong58%, 14 carries
  2. Jeff Driskel29%, 7 carries
  3. Jerome Ford13%, 3 carries

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Andrei IosivasWR59 snaps92%
  2. Drew SampleTE47 snaps73%
  3. Joe MixonRB35 snaps55%
  4. Ja'Marr ChaseWR31 snaps48%
  5. Tanner HudsonTE30 snaps47%

Target Share28 targets

  1. Andrei Iosivas25%, 7 targets
  2. Ja'Marr Chase21%, 6 targets
  3. Charlie Jones11%, 3 targets
  4. Tyler Boyd7%, 2 targets
  5. Joe Mixon7%, 2 targets
  6. Other29%, 8 targets

Carry Share30 carries

  1. Joe Mixon47%, 14 carries
  2. Chase Brown37%, 11 carries
  3. Jake Browning7%, 2 carries
  4. Charlie Jones7%, 2 carries
  5. Trayveon Williams3%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
David BellCLEWR5298%416%0
James ProcheCLEWR5094%416%0
Andrei IosivasCINWR5992%725%0
Leroy WatsonCLETE4585%00%0
Drew SampleCINTE4773%27%0
Harrison BryantCLETE3566%00%0
Jordan AkinsCLETE3464%624%0
Cedric TillmanCLEWR3464%624%0
Joe MixonCINRB3555%27%14
Pierre StrongCLERB2751%14%14
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR3148%621%0
Tanner HudsonCINTE3047%27%0
Tyler BoydCINWR2742%27%0
Trenton IrwinCINWR2641%27%0
Jerome FordCLERB1936%312%3
Charlie JonesCINWR2133%311%2
Mitchell WilcoxCINTE1828%00%0
Chase BrownCINRB1828%27%11
Kareem HuntCLERB713%14%0
Elijah MooreCLEWR611%00%0
Trayveon WilliamsCINRB12%00%1

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+16.1David Bell22.8 PTS vs 6.7 xFP
  • Biggest underperformer−6.7James Proche II0.0 PTS vs 6.7 xFP
  • Highest expected volume15.2 xFPJeff Driskel15.9 PTS scored
Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Jeff DriskelCLE · QB15.915.2+0.7100%26 att—26729%00%
Joe MixonCIN · RB24.711.9+12.855%47% car—01447%27%
Andrei IosivasCIN · WR20.611.7+8.992%25% tgt—000%725%
Jake BrowningCIN · QB19.011.3+7.781%24 att—2427%00%
Pierre Strong Jr.CLE · RB6.510.3−3.851%58% car—01458%14%
Chase BrownCIN · RB6.310.1−3.828%37% car—01137%27%
Cedric TillmanCLE · WR7.310.0−2.764%24% tgt—000%624%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR5.910.0−4.148%21% tgt—000%621%
Jordan AkinsCLE · TE5.410.0−4.664%24% tgt—000%624%
Jerome FordCLE · RB5.26.8−1.636%13% car—0313%312%
David BellCLE · WR22.86.7+16.198%16% tgt—000%416%
James Proche IICLE · WR0.06.7−6.794%16% tgt—000%416%
Charlie JonesCIN · WR9.26.2+3.033%11% tgt—027%311%
Drew SampleCIN · TE2.73.3−0.673%7% tgt—000%27%
Tanner HudsonCIN · TE3.13.3−0.247%7% tgt—000%27%
Trenton IrwinCIN · WR5.43.3+2.141%7% tgt—000%27%
Tyler BoydCIN · WR1.43.3−1.942%7% tgt—000%27%
AJ McCarronCIN · QB0.81.7−0.919%4 att—400%00%
Kareem HuntCLE · RB1.51.7−0.213%4% tgt—000%14%
Trayveon WilliamsCIN · RB-0.20.6−0.82%3% car—013%00%

Team totals: Browns 25 targets and 24 carries; Bengals 28 targets and 30 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 2023 season: 1.67 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.61 per carry and 0.42 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Jeff Driskel

CLE · QB · 15.9 pts on 15.2 expected

13 of 26 passing for 166 yards, 2 touchdowns, 2 interceptions; 7 carries for 33 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 15.2 expected.

Jake Browning Ran hot

CIN · QB · 19.0 pts on 11.3 expected

18 of 24 passing for 156 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 2 carries for 18 yards.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.3 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Pierre Strong Jr.

CLE · RB · 6.5 pts on 10.3 expected

1 target (4% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards; 14 carries (58% of the team's) for 65 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.3 expected.

Cedric Tillman

CLE · WR · 7.3 pts on 10.0 expected

6 targets (24% of the team's), 3 catches for 43 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 10.0 expected.

Start/Sit: Cedric Tillman →

Joe Mixon Ran hot

CIN · RB · 24.7 pts on 11.9 expected

2 targets (7% of the team's), 1 catch for 6 yards and 1 touchdown; 14 carries (47% of the team's) for 111 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.9 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

Andrei Iosivas Ran hot

CIN · WR · 20.6 pts on 11.7 expected

7 targets (25% of the team's), 5 catches for 36 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 11.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

David Bell Ran hot

CLE · WR · 22.8 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (16% of the team's), 4 catches for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Verdict: The opportunities were worth 6.7 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.

James Proche II Unlucky

CLE · WR · 0.0 pts on 6.7 expected

4 targets (16% of the team's), 0 catches for 0 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 6.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Stock Up, Stock Down

Cleveland Browns

  • Stock up: Pierre Strong Jr. led the backfield with 51% of the snaps after trailing Jerome Ford before this game.
  • Stock up: Jordan Akins played 64% of the snaps, up from a 17% season average.
  • Stock up: David Bell played 98% of the snaps, up from a 17% season average.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Stock up: Andrei Iosivas played 92% of the snaps, up from a 21% season average.
  • Stock up: Chase Brown played 28% of the snaps, up from a 11% season average.
  • Stock up: Charlie Jones played 33% of the snaps, up from a 5% season average.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2023 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Browns defense and Bengals defense
Points allowed toBrowns DBengals D
QBs14.317.7
RBs19.720.3
WRs27.033.9
TEs9.214.5

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

How the Game Swung

Cincinnati opened at 50% win probability and passed 98% before halftime on the way to the win.

Bengals win probability

Bengals win probability by game minuteBengals started at 50%, stood at 99% at halftime and finished at 100%, across 7 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. +21Mixon 1-yd TD run50% → 71%Q1 6:07
  2. +16Browning → Mixon, 6-yd TD72% → 88%Q1 0:48
  3. +7Browning → Iosivas, 3-yd TD90% → 97%Q2 9:19

Swing in Bengals win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Browns vs Bengals
Cleveland BrownsMeasureCincinnati Bengals
53Plays61
55%Pass rate51%
4.8Yds / dropback4.7
4.3Yds / carry6.1
2/11Third downs3/12

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 8 more plays and gained 1.8 more yards per carry.

  • Top targets
  • CLE Tillman 24% · Akins 24% · Bell 16%
  • CIN Iosivas 25% · Chase 21% · Jones 11%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Browns vs Bengals
ResultCLECIN
Touchdowns24
Field goals01
Punts76
Turnovers21

CIN turnover edge: +1

  • The Bengals opened the scoring on their second possession, a 7-play, 60-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • Cleveland's first four possessions all ended in a three-and-out or an interception.
  • The Bengals scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 25 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CLEQ1 15:00361:36Interception
CINQ1 13:244221:32Interception
CLEQ1 11:523-71:42Punt
CINQ1 10:107604:03Touchdown
CLEQ1 6:07312:16Punt
CINQ1 3:515673:03Touchdown
CLEQ1 0:48301:04Punt
CINQ2 14:448755:25Touchdown
CLEQ2 9:194202:31Punt
CINQ2 6:485202:55Punt
CLEQ2 3:53240:39Interception
CINQ2 3:14471:19Field goal
CLEQ2 1:557471:55End of half
CINQ3 15:003-131:40Punt
CLEQ3 13:20361:36Punt
CINQ3 11:4414998:12Touchdown
CLEQ3 3:325171:54Punt
CINQ3 1:38351:20Punt
CLEQ3 0:185162:26Punt
CINQ4 12:523-41:59Punt
CLEQ4 10:535552:08Touchdown
CINQ4 8:45392:13Punt
CLEQ4 6:329753:58Touchdown
CINQ4 2:34312:05Punt
CLEQ4 0:291-10:29End of game
About these numbers

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 2023 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Browns vs Bengals
BrownsStatBengals
11-6Record9-8
23.3Points per game21.5
335.9Yards per game318.9
4.8Yards per play5.2
21.3Points allowed per game22.6
270.2Yards allowed per game374.6

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

2023 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Browns vs Bengals Game FAQ

Who won the 2023 Browns vs Bengals Week 18 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 31–14 in Week 18 of the 2023 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on January 7, 2024. See the Bengals' 2023 schedule.

What was the final score of Browns vs Bengals?

The final score was Bengals 31, Browns 14. The Bengals led 24–0 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 14, Bengals 7.

What happened in the Browns vs Bengals game?

Cincinnati led 24–0 at halftime and won 31–14, though Cleveland took the second half 14–7. The Bengals finished with a 328–244 edge in total offense and averaged 5.4 yards per play. Joe Mixon led all players with a catch for 6 yards and a touchdown, plus 14 carries for 111 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Browns committed 2 turnovers, the Bengals 1.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?

Joe Mixon led the game with 24.7 PPR fantasy points, the RB5 of Week 18, on a catch for 6 yards and a touchdown, plus 14 carries for 111 rushing yards and a touchdown. David Bell was next with 22.8 (WR7).

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

Jeff Driskel (CLE) led all passers with 13 of 26 for 166 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Joe Mixon (CIN) led in rushing with 14 carries for 111 yards and a touchdown. David Bell (CLE) led in receiving with 4 catches for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns.

How many fantasy points did Joe Mixon score against the Browns?

Joe Mixon scored 24.7 points in PPR leagues, 24.2 in half-PPR and 23.7 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 18 of the 2023 season, on a catch for 6 yards and a touchdown, plus 14 carries for 111 rushing yards and a touchdown. He handled 47% of his team's carries.

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

David Bell outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 22.8 PPR points on 6.7 xFP (+16.1). James Proche II fell furthest short, with 0.0 points on 6.7 xFP (−6.7). 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?

Jeff Driskel had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 15.2 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 15.9. Expected points measure the volume of a player's pass attempts, carries and targets, not how well he used them.

How did the Bengals beat the Browns?

The Bengals beat the Browns 31–14 because they averaged 5.4 yards per play to 4.6, won the turnover battle 2–1, and outgained them 328–244.

Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Bengals?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 2–1: the Browns gave the ball away 2 times and the Bengals 1 time. The Bengals 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 18 of 2023, they last met in the 2023 season on September 10, 2023, when the Browns beat the Bengals 24–3.

What is the Browns vs Bengals record since 2021?

The series is tied 5–5 across 10 meetings since the 2021 season, including this game.