Final2025 Week 1

Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH

Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns, Week 1 2025

Cincinnati Bengals

AwayWon

17

Cleveland Browns

Home

16

Scoring by quarter
TeamQ1Q2Q3Q4Final
Bengals773017
Browns0106016

CIN 17CLE 16 Final

  • Passing leader

    Joe Flacco

    CLE · QB

    14.2PPR pts

    31/45, 290 YDS, 1 TD, 2 INT

  • Top fantasy scorer

    Dylan Sampson

    CLE · RB

    17.3PPR pts

    12 ATT, 29 YDS, 8 REC, 64 REC YDS

  • Browns leader

    Cedric Tillman

    CLE · WR

    16.2PPR pts

    5 REC, 52 YDS, 1 TD

  • Defensive playmaker

    Jordan Battle

    CIN

    1 INT, 12 TKL

Bengals 17, Browns 16: Cincinnati holds off Cleveland

Cincinnati led 14–10 at halftime and won 17–16, though Cleveland took the second half 6–3. Cleveland outgained the Bengals 327–141.

The Browns went 9-for-16 on third down and committed two turnovers, while the Bengals 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 turnover margin CIN 0 turnovers

Game Highlights

Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube

Got a Bengal or Brown 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 turnover battle.

Team stats comparison, Bengals vs Browns
BengalsStatBrowns
0Turnovers2
Other team stats
141Total yards327
2.9Yards per play4.6
49Plays71
50%Third-down conversion56%
24:11Time of possession35:49

Scoring Summary

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

Scoring plays, Bengals vs Browns
TimeTeamPlayCINCLE
1st quarter
7:32CINChase Brown 5-yard TD run Takes leadEvan McPherson XP70
2nd quarter
12:42CLERaheim Sanders 1-yard TD run Ties gameAndre Szmyt XP77
4:18CINJoe Burrow → Noah Fant, 1-yard TD Takes leadEvan McPherson XP147
0:23CLEAndre Szmyt 45-yard FG1410
3rd quarter
7:20CLEJoe Flacco → Cedric Tillman, 5-yard TD Takes leadXP missed1416
2:48CINEvan McPherson 35-yard FG Takes lead1716
4th quarter
No scoring

Fantasy Points: Bengals vs Browns, Week 1 2025

Fantasy leaders

  1. Dylan SampsonCLERB17.3 PTSRB9
  2. Cedric TillmanCLEWR16.2 PTSWR18
  3. Joe FlaccoCLEQB14.2 PTSQB19
  4. Harold FanninCLETE13.6 PTSTE6

Player Stats

Quarterbacks

Quarterback statistics
PlayerFPTSFINCMP/ATTPass YDSTDINTRush ATTRush YDSRush TDRateStart/Sit
Joe FlaccoCLEQB14.2QB1931/452901226075.2Start/Sit →
Joe BurrowCINQB8.8QB2814/231131023087.8Start/Sit →

WRs, RBs, & TEs

Receiver, running back and tight end statistics
PlayerFPTSFINPOSRush ATTRush YDSRush TDTGTRECRec YDSRec TDStart/Sit
Dylan SampsonCLERB17.3RB9RB1229088640
Cedric TillmanCLEWR16.2WR18WR———85521Start/Sit →
Harold FanninCLETE13.6TE6TE13097630
Chase BrownCINRB13.1RB22RB214313280Start/Sit →
Noah FantCINTE12.6TE9TE———54261Start/Sit →
Jerry JeudyCLEWR11.6WR32WR———85660Start/Sit →
David NjokuCLETE6.7TE24TE———63370
Raheim SandersCLERB6.3RB37RB331————Start/Sit →
Tee HigginsCINWR6.3WR59WR———43330Start/Sit →
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR4.6WR75WR———52260Start/Sit →
Samaje PerineCINRB2.6RB50RB———2260Start/Sit →
Mike GesickiCINTE2.4TE42TE———31140Start/Sit →
Jamari ThrashCLEWR1.6WR104WR———1160
Jerome FordCLERB1.5RB63RB68011-30
Isaiah BondCLEWR1.5WR107WR———1150Start/Sit →
Drew SampleCINTE0.0—TE———1000Start/Sit →

Fantasy Usage

Cincinnati Bengals

Snap Share

  1. Ja'Marr ChaseWR45 snaps87%
  2. Tee HigginsWR41 snaps79%
  3. Chase BrownRB39 snaps75%
  4. Drew SampleTE36 snaps69%
  5. Andrei IosivasWR34 snaps65%

Target Share23 targets

  1. Noah Fant22%, 5 targets
  2. Ja'Marr Chase22%, 5 targets
  3. Tee Higgins17%, 4 targets
  4. Mike Gesicki13%, 3 targets
  5. Chase Brown13%, 3 targets
  6. Other13%, 3 targets

Carry Share23 carries

  1. Chase Brown91%, 21 carries
  2. Joe Burrow9%, 2 carries

Cleveland Browns

Snap Share

  1. Jerry JeudyWR67 snaps88%
  2. Cedric TillmanWR67 snaps88%
  3. David NjokuTE64 snaps84%
  4. Harold FanninTE55 snaps72%
  5. Jerome FordRB41 snaps54%

Target Share42 targets

  1. Harold Fannin21%, 9 targets
  2. Jerry Jeudy19%, 8 targets
  3. Cedric Tillman19%, 8 targets
  4. Dylan Sampson19%, 8 targets
  5. David Njoku14%, 6 targets
  6. Other7%, 3 targets

Carry Share24 carries

  1. Dylan Sampson50%, 12 carries
  2. Jerome Ford25%, 6 carries
  3. Raheim Sanders13%, 3 carries
  4. Joe Flacco8%, 2 carries
  5. Harold Fannin4%, 1 carries
View full usage tableHide full usage table
Offensive snaps and share for the skill positions
PlayerSNAPSSNAP %TGTTGT %CAR
Jerry JeudyCLEWR6788%819%0
Cedric TillmanCLEWR6788%819%0
Ja'Marr ChaseCINWR4587%522%0
David NjokuCLETE6484%614%0
Tee HigginsCINWR4179%417%0
Chase BrownCINRB3975%313%21
Harold FanninCLETE5572%921%1
Drew SampleCINTE3669%14%0
Andrei IosivasCINWR3465%00%0
Jerome FordCLERB4154%12%6
Noah FantCINTE2650%522%0
Dylan SampsonCLERB3343%819%12
Mike GesickiCINTE1631%313%0
Jamari ThrashCLEWR2128%12%0
Isaiah BondCLEWR2128%12%0
Samaje PerineCINRB1325%29%0
Mitch TinsleyCINWR510%00%0
Blake WhiteheartCLETE34%00%0
Raheim SandersCLERB34%00%3

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.

Usage and expected fantasy points
PlayerPTSxFPvs xFPSnap%UsageRte%Pass attCarCar%TgtTgt%
Dylan SampsonCLE · RB17.321.4−4.143%50% car—01250%819%
Joe FlaccoCLE · QB14.221.3−7.1100%45 att—4528%00%
Chase BrownCIN · RB13.118.7−5.675%91% car—02191%313%
Harold Fannin Jr.CLE · TE13.616.0−2.472%21% tgt—014%921%
Cedric TillmanCLE · WR16.213.6+2.688%19% tgt—000%819%
Jerry JeudyCLE · WR11.613.6−2.088%19% tgt—000%819%
Joe BurrowCIN · QB8.811.5−2.7100%23 att—2329%00%
David NjokuCLE · TE6.710.2−3.584%14% tgt—000%614%
Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR4.68.5−3.987%22% tgt—000%522%
Noah FantCIN · TE12.68.5+4.150%22% tgt—000%522%
Tee HigginsCIN · WR6.36.8−0.579%17% tgt—000%417%
Jerome FordCLE · RB1.55.6−4.154%25% car—0625%12%
Mike GesickiCIN · TE2.45.1−2.731%13% tgt—000%313%
Samaje PerineCIN · RB2.63.4−0.825%9% tgt—000%29%
Raheim SandersCLE · RB6.31.9+4.44%13% car—0313%00%
Drew SampleCIN · TE0.01.7−1.769%4% tgt—000%14%
Isaiah BondCLE · WR1.51.7−0.228%2% tgt—000%12%
Jamari ThrashCLE · WR1.61.7−0.128%2% tgt—000%12%

Team totals: Bengals 23 targets and 23 carries; Browns 42 targets and 24 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 2025 season: 1.70 PPR points per target (67% catch rate), 0.65 per carry and 0.44 per pass attempt. They don't adjust for field position or target depth.

Fantasy Verdicts

Joe Burrow

CIN · QB · 8.8 pts on 11.5 expected

14 of 23 passing for 113 yards, 1 touchdown; 2 carries for 3 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 11.5 expected.

Start/Sit: Joe Burrow →

Joe Flacco Unlucky

CLE · QB · 14.2 pts on 21.3 expected

31 of 45 passing for 290 yards, 1 touchdown, 2 interceptions; 2 carries for 6 yards.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 21.3 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Joe Flacco →

Chase Brown Volume, no payoff

CIN · RB · 13.1 pts on 18.7 expected

3 targets (13% of the team's), 2 catches for 8 yards; 21 carries (91% of the team's) for 43 yards and 1 touchdown.

Verdict: The role was there, worth 18.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.

Start/Sit: Chase Brown →

Dylan Sampson

CLE · RB · 17.3 pts on 21.4 expected

8 targets (19% of the team's), 8 catches for 64 yards; 12 carries (50% of the team's) for 29 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 21.4 expected.

Harold Fannin Jr.

CLE · TE · 13.6 pts on 16.0 expected

9 targets (21% of the team's), 7 catches for 63 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 3 yards.

Verdict: The points matched the role, 16.0 expected.

Fantasy Matchups

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.

Fantasy points allowed per game by position, Bengals defense and Browns defense
Points allowed toBengals DBrowns D
QBs18.814.0
RBs28.422.4
WRs25.426.0
TEs20.712.1

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

How the Game Swung

Cleveland opened at 50% win probability and fell below 2% in overtime.

Browns win probability

Browns win probability by game minuteBrowns started at 50%, stood at 34% at halftime and finished at 0%, across 6 scoring plays.Q1Q2Q3Q4100%50%0%

Key Swings

  1. −21Brown 5-yd TD run50% → 29%Q1 7:32
  2. +23Sanders 1-yd TD run27% → 50%Q2 12:42
  3. −25Burrow → Fant, 1-yd TD50% → 25%Q2 4:18
  4. +28Flacco → Tillman, 5-yd TD31% → 60%Q3 7:20
  5. −16McPherson 35-yd FG61% → 45%Q3 2:48

Swing in Browns win probability, in points

Play Calling and Possessions

Play calling, Bengals vs Browns
Cincinnati BengalsMeasureCleveland Browns
49Plays71
53%Pass rate66%
3.7Yds / dropback5.9
2.0Yds / carry2.0
7/14Third downs9/16

Efficiency edge Cincinnati ran 22 fewer plays than Cleveland.

  • Top targets
  • CIN Chase 22% · Fant 22% · Higgins 17%
  • CLE Fannin 21% · Tillman 19% · Sampson 19%

Possession Results

How each possession ended, Bengals vs Browns
ResultCINCLE
Touchdowns22
Field goals11
Punts62
Turnovers02
Turnovers on downs01
Missed field goals01

CIN turnover edge: +2

  • The Bengals opened the scoring on their first possession, a 12-play, 68-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
  • The Bengals scored touchdowns on two of their first three drives.
All 20 possessions, drive by drive
Drive chart
TeamStartPlaysYardsTimeResult
CINQ1 15:0012687:28Touchdown
CLEQ1 7:3216679:50Touchdown
CINQ2 12:426193:13Punt
CLEQ2 9:29320:58Punt
CINQ2 8:318544:13Touchdown
CLEQ2 4:1811513:55Field goal
CINQ2 0:23290:23End of half
CLEQ3 15:0013697:40Touchdown
CINQ3 7:20381:43Punt
CLEQ3 5:372-60:44Interception
CINQ3 4:537172:05Field goal
CLEQ3 2:487363:35Downs
CINQ4 14:13311:03Punt
CLEQ4 13:106383:48Punt
CINQ4 9:223-182:26Punt
CLEQ4 6:5610244:34Missed FG
CINQ4 2:22340:32Punt
CLEQ4 1:50290:26Interception
CINQ4 1:243-101:05Punt
CLEQ4 0:193280:19End 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.

Bengals vs Browns Head-to-Head

The Bengals and Browns 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 Bengals win
37–32015
Largest Browns win
34–01987

Since 2021

5–5 Series tied

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

Oldest to newest. CIN = Bengals win, CLE = Browns 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 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.

Season to date, Bengals vs Browns
BengalsStatBrowns
6-11Record5-12
24.4Points per game16.4
329.2Yards per game262.2
5.3Yards per play4.3
28.9Points allowed per game22.3
380.9Yards allowed per game283.6

Bengals vs Browns 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

2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game

Bengals vs Browns Game FAQ

Who won the 2025 Bengals vs Browns Week 1 game?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 17–16 in Week 1 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH, on September 7, 2025. See the Bengals' 2025 schedule.

What was the final score of Bengals vs Browns?

The final score was Bengals 17, Browns 16. The Bengals led 14–10 at halftime, and the second half went Bengals 3, Browns 6.

What happened in the Bengals vs Browns game?

Cincinnati led 14–10 at halftime and won 17–16, though Cleveland took the second half 6–3. Cleveland outgained the Bengals 327–141. Dylan Sampson led all players with 8 catches for 64 yards, plus 12 carries for 29 rushing yards. The Browns committed 2 turnovers, the Bengals none.

Who scored the most fantasy points in Bengals vs Browns?

Dylan Sampson led the game with 17.3 PPR fantasy points, the RB9 of Week 1, on 8 catches for 64 yards, plus 12 carries for 29 rushing yards. Cedric Tillman was next with 16.2 (WR18). See Dylan Sampson's 2025 game log.

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

Joe Flacco (CLE) led all passers with 31 of 45 for 290 yards, a touchdown and 2 interceptions. Chase Brown (CIN) led in rushing with 21 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown. Jerry Jeudy (CLE) led in receiving with 5 catches for 66 yards.

How many fantasy points did Dylan Sampson score against the Bengals?

Dylan Sampson scored 17.3 points in PPR leagues, 13.3 in half-PPR and 9.3 in standard scoring against the Bengals in Week 1 of the 2025 season, on 8 catches for 64 yards, plus 12 carries for 29 rushing yards. He handled 50% of his team's carries.

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

Raheim Sanders outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 6.3 PPR points on 1.9 xFP (+4.4). Joe Flacco fell furthest short, with 14.2 points on 21.3 xFP (−7.1). 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 Bengals vs Browns?

Dylan Sampson had the most fantasy opportunity in the game, worth 21.4 expected PPR points (xFP) at league-average rates, and scored 17.3. 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 17–16 because they won the turnover battle 2–0.

Which team won the turnover battle in Bengals vs Browns?

The Bengals won the turnover battle 2–0: the Browns gave the ball away 2 times and the Bengals not at all. The Bengals won the game.

What was the turning point of Bengals vs Browns?

Joe Flacco's 5-yard touchdown pass to Cedric Tillman with 7:20 left in the third quarter was the biggest swing of the game, moving the Browns' win probability from 31% to 60%.

What is the all-time Bengals vs Browns record?

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

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

Before Week 1 of 2025, they last met in the 2024 season on December 22, 2024, when the Bengals beat the Browns 24–6.

What is the Bengals vs Browns record since 2021?

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