Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals, Week 18 2025
Cleveland Browns
AwayWon
20
Cincinnati Bengals
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18
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Browns | 7 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 20 |
| Bengals | 6 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 18 |
CLE 20CIN 18 Final
Passing leader
22.1PPR pts
29/39, 236 YDS, 3 TD, 1 INT
Top fantasy scorer
23.6PPR pts
8 REC, 96 YDS, 1 TD
Bengals leader
19.0PPR pts
13 ATT, 72 YDS, 4 REC, 18 REC YDS, 1 REC TD
Defensive playmaker
Devin Bush
1 INT, 1 TD, 14 TKL
Browns 20, Bengals 18: Cleveland holds off Cincinnati
Cleveland led 14–12 at halftime to win 20–18. Cincinnati outgained the Browns 364–200.
The Bengals went 5-for-11 on third down and committed two turnovers.
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
- +1 turnover margin CLE 1 · CIN 2 turnovers
Game Highlights
Official NFL highlights · Opens from YouTube
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Why the Browns Won
Cleveland won the turnover battle.
| Browns | Stat | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turnovers | 2 |
| Other team stats | ||
| 200 | Total yards | 364 |
| 3.8 | Yards per play | 5.5 |
| 52 | Plays | 66 |
| 36% | Third-down conversion | 45% |
| 24:26 | Time of possession | 35:34 |
Scoring Summary
The Browns scored two touchdowns and two field goals; the Bengals scored three touchdowns.
| Time | Team | Play | CLE | CIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st quarter | ||||
| 7:59 | CIN | Joe Burrow → Chase Brown, 4-yard TD Takes leadXP missed | 0 | 6 |
| 0:56 | CLE | Devin Bush 97-yard interception return TD Takes leadAndre Szmyt XP | 7 | 6 |
| 2nd quarter | ||||
| 14:06 | CLE | Sam Webb 47-yard fumble return TD Extends leadAndre Szmyt XP | 14 | 6 |
| 0:29 | CIN | Joe Burrow → Tee Higgins, 13-yard TDXP missed | 14 | 12 |
| 3rd quarter | ||||
| 8:00 | CLE | Andre Szmyt 27-yard FG Extends lead | 17 | 12 |
| 4th quarter | ||||
| 1:29 | CIN | Joe Burrow → Ja'Marr Chase, 4-yard TD Takes lead2-pt try failed | 17 | 18 |
| 0:00 | CLE | Andre Szmyt 49-yard FG Game winner | 20 | 18 |
Fantasy Points: Browns vs Bengals, Week 18 2025
Fantasy leaders
- Ja'Marr Chase23.6 PTSWR5
- Joe Burrow22.1 PTSQB5
- Chase Brown19.0 PTSRB7
- Tee Higgins18.7 PTSWR8
Player Stats
Quarterbacks
| Player | FPTS | FIN | CMP/ATT | Pass YDS | TD | INT | Rush ATT | Rush YDS | Rush TD | Rate | Start/Sit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Burrow | 22.1 | QB5 | 29/39 | 236 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 104.2 | Start/Sit → |
| Shedeur Sanders | 5.0 | QB29 | 11/22 | 111 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 64.8 | Start/Sit → |
| Joe Flacco | 0.2 | QB39 | — | — | — | — | 1 | 2 | 0 | — | Start/Sit → |
WRs, RBs, & TEs
| Player | FPTS | FIN | POS | Rush ATT | Rush YDS | Rush TD | TGT | REC | Rec YDS | Rec TD | Start/Sit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ja'Marr Chase | 23.6 | WR5 | WR | — | — | — | 10 | 8 | 96 | 1 | Start/Sit → |
| Chase Brown | 19.0 | RB7 | RB | 13 | 72 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 1 | Start/Sit → |
| Tee Higgins | 18.7 | WR8 | WR | — | — | — | 9 | 6 | 67 | 1 | Start/Sit → |
| Samaje Perine | 8.2 | RB27 | RB | 8 | 42 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 10 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Dylan Sampson | 6.4 | RB41 | RB | 10 | 32 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 0 | |
| Malachi Corley | 5.8 | WR49 | WR | 3 | 18 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Drew Sample | 4.7 | TE35 | TE | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 17 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Raheim Sanders | 4.3 | RB54 | RB | 5 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Jerry Jeudy | 4.2 | WR65 | WR | 1 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 17 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Cedric Tillman | 3.3 | WR70 | WR | — | — | — | 2 | 1 | 23 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Mike Gesicki | 3.3 | TE40 | TE | — | — | — | 2 | 2 | 13 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Trayveon Williams | 3.0 | RB60 | RB | 1 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | |
| Andrei Iosivas | 3.0 | WR75 | WR | — | — | — | 3 | 2 | 10 | 0 | |
| Isaiah Bond | 2.7 | WR79 | WR | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Brenden Bates | 1.6 | TE54 | TE | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Ke'Shawn Williams | 0.9 | WR104 | WR | 1 | 9 | 0 | — | — | — | — | Start/Sit → |
| Sal Cannella | 0.0 | — | TE | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Blake Whiteheart | 0.0 | — | TE | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
| Noah Fant | -0.5 | — | TE | — | — | — | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | Start/Sit → |
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+6.6Ja'Marr Chase23.6 PTS vs 17.0 xFP
- Biggest underperformer−6.7Shedeur Sanders5.0 PTS vs 11.7 xFP
- Highest expected volume18.6 xFPChase Brown19.0 PTS scored
| Player | PTS | xFP | vs xFP | Snap% | Usage | Rte% | Pass att | Car | Car% | Tgt | Tgt% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase BrownCIN · RB | 19.0 | 18.6 | +0.4 | — | 52% car | — | 0 | 13 | 52% | 6 | 16% |
| Joe BurrowCIN · QB | 22.1 | 18.6 | +3.5 | — | 39 att | — | 39 | 2 | 8% | 0 | 0% |
| Ja'Marr ChaseCIN · WR | 23.6 | 17.0 | +6.6 | — | 26% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 10 | 26% |
| Tee HigginsCIN · WR | 18.7 | 15.3 | +3.4 | — | 24% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 9 | 24% |
| Samaje PerineCIN · RB | 8.2 | 12.0 | −3.8 | — | 32% car | — | 0 | 8 | 32% | 4 | 11% |
| Shedeur SandersCLE · QB | 5.0 | 11.7 | −6.7 | — | 22 att | — | 22 | 3 | 13% | 0 | 0% |
| Dylan SampsonCLE · RB | 6.4 | 11.6 | −5.2 | — | 42% car | — | 0 | 10 | 42% | 3 | 14% |
| Jerry JeudyCLE · WR | 4.2 | 10.9 | −6.7 | — | 29% tgt | — | 0 | 1 | 4% | 6 | 29% |
| Malachi CorleyCLE · WR | 5.8 | 5.3 | +0.5 | — | 13% car | — | 0 | 3 | 13% | 2 | 10% |
| Andrei IosivasCIN · WR | 3.0 | 5.1 | −2.1 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 8% |
| Drew SampleCIN · TE | 4.7 | 5.1 | −0.4 | — | 8% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 3 | 8% |
| Raheim SandersCLE · RB | 4.3 | 4.9 | −0.6 | — | 21% car | — | 0 | 5 | 21% | 1 | 5% |
| Isaiah BondCLE · WR | 2.7 | 4.1 | −1.4 | — | 10% tgt | — | 0 | 1 | 4% | 2 | 10% |
| Trayveon WilliamsCLE · RB | 3.0 | 4.1 | −1.1 | — | 10% tgt | — | 0 | 1 | 4% | 2 | 10% |
| Cedric TillmanCLE · WR | 3.3 | 3.4 | −0.1 | — | 10% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 10% |
| Mike GesickiCIN · TE | 3.3 | 3.4 | −0.1 | — | 5% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 2 | 5% |
| Blake WhiteheartCLE · TE | 0.0 | 1.7 | −1.7 | — | 5% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 5% |
| Brenden BatesCLE · TE | 1.6 | 1.7 | −0.1 | — | 5% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 5% |
| Noah FantCIN · TE | -0.5 | 1.7 | −2.2 | — | 3% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 3% |
| Sal CannellaCLE · TE | 0.0 | 1.7 | −1.7 | — | 5% tgt | — | 0 | 0 | 0% | 1 | 5% |
| Joe FlaccoCIN · QB | 0.2 | 0.6 | −0.4 | — | 0 att | — | 0 | 1 | 4% | 0 | 0% |
| Ke'Shawn WilliamsCIN · WR | 0.9 | 0.6 | +0.3 | — | 4% car | — | 0 | 1 | 4% | 0 | 0% |
Team totals: Browns 21 targets and 24 carries; Bengals 38 targets and 25 carries. Shares are from the box score. Snap counts aren't available for this game. 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
Shedeur Sanders Unlucky
11 of 22 passing for 111 yards; 3 carries for 26 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.7 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
No interceptions after 8 in the previous four games. Fewest points since Week 11.
Joe Burrow
29 of 39 passing for 236 yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception; 2 carries for 17 yards.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.6 expected.
Dylan Sampson Unlucky
3 targets (14% of the team's), 2 catches for 12 yards; 10 carries (42% of the team's) for 32 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 11.6 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Jerry Jeudy Unlucky
6 targets (29% of the team's), 2 catches for 17 yards; 1 carry (4% of the team's) for 5 yards.
Verdict: The role was there, worth 10.9 points at league-average rates; the production wasn't.
Chase Brown
6 targets (16% of the team's), 4 catches for 18 yards and 1 touchdown; 13 carries (52% of the team's) for 72 yards.
Verdict: The points matched the role, 18.6 expected.
Ja'Marr Chase Ran hot
10 targets (26% of the team's), 8 catches for 96 yards and 1 touchdown.
Verdict: The opportunities were worth 17.0 points; the touchdowns supplied the rest, and they are the part least likely to repeat.
Fantasy Matchups
Fantasy points allowed per game by position, 2025 through Week 18.
| Points allowed to | Browns D | Bengals D |
|---|---|---|
| QBs | 14.0 | 18.8 |
| RBs | 22.4 | 28.4 |
| WRs | 26.0 | 25.4 |
| TEs | 12.1 | 20.7 |
Regular season, summed from each game's box score and scored with this page's rules.
How the Game Swung
Cincinnati opened at 74% win probability, climbed as high as >99%, then lost.
Bengals win probability
Key Swings
- −18Bush 97-yd pick-six86% → 68%Q1 0:56
- −24Webb 47-yd TD67% → 44%Q2 14:06
- +24Burrow → Higgins, 13-yd TD35% → 60%Q2 0:29
- +70Burrow → Chase, 4-yd TD1% → 72%Q4 1:29
- −100Szmyt 49-yd FG>99% → <1%Q4 0:00
Swing in Bengals win probability, in points
Play Calling and Possessions
| Cleveland Browns | Measure | Cincinnati Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| 52 | Plays | 66 |
| 54% | Pass rate | 62% |
| 2.9 | Yds / dropback | 5.4 |
| 4.9 | Yds / carry | 5.7 |
| 5/14 | Third downs | 5/11 |
Efficiency edge Cleveland ran 14 fewer plays than Cincinnati.
- Top targets
- CLE Jeudy 29% · Sampson 14% · Tillman 10%
- CIN Chase 26% · Higgins 24% · Brown 16%
Possession Results
| Result | CLE | CIN |
|---|---|---|
| Touchdowns | 0 | 3 |
| Field goals | 2 | 0 |
| Punts | 5 | 5 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
CLE turnover edge: +1
- The Bengals opened the scoring on their second possession, a 4-play, 29-yard drive that ended in a touchdown.
- The Browns drained the clock with two second-half drives of six to seven minutes.
All 19 possessions, drive by drive
| Team | Start | Plays | Yards | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIN | Q1 15:00 | 3 | 5 | 2:23 | Punt |
| CLE | Q1 12:37 | 5 | 24 | 2:15 | Fumble |
| CIN | Q1 10:22 | 4 | 29 | 2:23 | Touchdown |
| CLE | Q1 7:59 | 3 | 4 | 1:39 | Punt |
| CIN | Q1 6:20 | 9 | 63 | 5:24 | Interception |
| CIN | Q1 0:56 | 4 | 16 | 1:50 | Fumble |
| CIN | Q2 14:06 | 6 | 22 | 4:22 | Punt |
| CLE | Q2 9:44 | 4 | 14 | 2:31 | Punt |
| CIN | Q2 7:13 | 3 | 2 | 0:57 | Punt |
| CLE | Q2 6:16 | 3 | 6 | 1:35 | Punt |
| CIN | Q2 4:41 | 9 | 79 | 4:12 | Touchdown |
| CLE | Q2 0:29 | 3 | 7 | 0:29 | End of half |
| CLE | Q3 15:00 | 12 | 56 | 7:00 | Field goal |
| CIN | Q3 8:00 | 9 | 26 | 6:04 | Punt |
| CLE | Q3 1:56 | 11 | 50 | 6:20 | Punt |
| CIN | Q4 10:36 | 12 | 41 | 6:47 | Punt |
| CLE | Q4 3:49 | 3 | 9 | 1:08 | Punt |
| CIN | Q4 2:41 | 7 | 61 | 1:12 | Touchdown |
| CLE | Q4 1:29 | 10 | 40 | 1:29 | Field goal |
About these numbers
The Browns' interception touchdown is counted as a Bengals interception, not as a Browns possession. The Browns' fumble touchdown is counted as a Bengals lost fumble, 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
- 2025 Wk 18 Browns at Bengals CLE 20 CIN 18 CLE W
- 2025 Wk 1 Bengals at Browns, 2025 Wk 1 recap CIN 17 CLE 16 CIN W
- 2024 Wk 16 Browns at Bengals, 2024 Wk 16 recap CIN 24 CLE 6 CIN W
- 2024 Wk 7 Bengals at Browns, 2024 Wk 7 recap CIN 21 CLE 14 CIN W
- 2023 Wk 18 Browns at Bengals, 2023 Wk 18 recap CIN 31 CLE 14 CIN W
- 2023 Wk 1 Bengals at Browns, 2023 Wk 1 recap CLE 24 CIN 3 CLE W
- 2022 Wk 14 Browns at Bengals, 2022 Wk 14 recap CIN 23 CLE 10 CIN W
- 2022 Wk 8 Bengals at Browns, 2022 Wk 8 recap CLE 32 CIN 13 CLE W
- 2021 Wk 18 Bengals at Browns, 2021 Wk 18 recap CLE 21 CIN 16 CLE W
- 2021 Wk 9 Browns at Bengals, 2021 Wk 9 recap CLE 41 CIN 16 CLE W
Season to Date (Through Week 18)
The 2025 regular season, from each game's box score.
| Browns | Stat | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| 5-12 | Record | 6-11 |
| 16.4 | Points per game | 24.4 |
| 262.2 | Yards per game | 329.2 |
| 4.3 | Yards per play | 5.3 |
| 22.3 | Points allowed per game | 28.9 |
| 283.6 | Yards allowed per game | 380.9 |
Browns vs Bengals Odds and Results
How this game finished against the betting lines.
- Spread
- CIN −8.5Bengals failed to cover by 10.5
- Total
- 47.5Under: 38 points scored (by 9.5)
Expected vs Actual Scoring
| Team | Implied | Actual | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengals | 28.0 | 18 | −10.0 |
| Browns | 19.5 | 20 | +0.5 |
The Browns beat their implied total and the Bengals fell short of theirs; the Fantasy tab has the player lines behind it.
Betting Trends
Last 6 meetings: Browns 4–2 ATS, unders 4–1 (1 push).
Each team's 2025 season through this game. Over/under is overs first.
Cleveland Browns
- Against the spread
- 3–3
- Over/under
- 2–4
- ATS as favorite
- 0–1
- ATS as underdog
- 3–2
- ATS on the road
- 1–1
Cincinnati Bengals
- Against the spread
- 4–2
- Over/under
- 2–4
- ATS as favorite
- 2–1
- ATS as underdog
- 2–1
- ATS at home
- 1–2
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.
- Start/Sit ToolShould your Browns or Bengals player start in Week 13? Compare the decision against your other options.
- Fantasy Football ProjectionsSee the latest weekly and rest-of-season projections for Browns and Bengals players.
- Fantasy Points Allowed by PositionHow the Browns and Bengals defenses have treated QBs, RBs, WRs and TEs.
- Strength of ScheduleWhere these two matchups fall in each team's fantasy playoff run.
- Redraft CommandConnect your league for personalized lineup, trade and roster advice.
Keep Exploring
2025 Game Logs for Players in This Game
Browns vs Bengals Game FAQ
Who won the 2025 Browns vs Bengals Week 18 game?
The Cleveland Browns beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20–18 in Week 18 of the 2025 season. The game was played at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati, OH, on January 4, 2026. See the Browns' 2025 schedule.
What was the final score of Browns vs Bengals?
The final score was Browns 20, Bengals 18. The Browns led 14–12 at halftime, and the second half went Browns 6, Bengals 6.
What happened in the Browns vs Bengals game?
Cleveland led 14–12 at halftime to win 20–18. Cincinnati outgained the Browns 364–200. Ja'Marr Chase led all players with 8 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. The Bengals committed 2 turnovers, the Browns 1.
What was the game-winning score in Browns vs Bengals?
Andre Szmyt's 49-yard field goal with 0:00 left in the fourth quarter gave the Browns a 20–18 lead they never gave up. It was the final score of the game.
Who scored the most fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?
Ja'Marr Chase led the game with 23.6 PPR fantasy points, the WR5 of Week 18, on 8 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Joe Burrow was next with 22.1 (QB5). See Ja'Marr Chase's 2025 game log.
Who led Browns vs Bengals in passing, rushing and receiving?
Joe Burrow (CIN) led all passers with 29 of 39 for 236 yards, 3 touchdowns and an interception. Chase Brown (CIN) led in rushing with 13 carries for 72 yards. Ja'Marr Chase (CIN) led in receiving with 8 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown.
How many fantasy points did Ja'Marr Chase score against the Browns?
Ja'Marr Chase scored 23.6 points in PPR leagues, 19.6 in half-PPR and 15.6 in standard scoring against the Browns in Week 18 of the 2025 season, on 8 catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. He drew 26% of his team's targets.
Who outperformed and underperformed expected fantasy points in Browns vs Bengals?
Ja'Marr Chase outperformed his expected fantasy points the most, scoring 23.6 PPR points on 17.0 xFP (+6.6). Shedeur Sanders fell furthest short, with 5.0 points on 11.7 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.
How did the Browns come back to beat the Bengals?
The Browns' chances of winning fell as low as <1% in overtime. Andre Szmyt's 49-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was the biggest swing of the game. Andre Szmyt's 49-yard field goal then put them ahead for good.
Which team won the turnover battle in Browns vs Bengals?
The Browns won the turnover battle 2–1: the Bengals gave the ball away 2 times and the Browns 1 time. 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 18 of 2025, they last met in the 2025 season on September 7, 2025, when the Bengals beat the Browns 17–16.
What was the closing spread for Browns vs Bengals?
The consensus closing spread at kickoff was Bengals −8.5, making the Cincinnati Bengals 8.5-point favorites, with a closing total of 47.5. That implied about 28.0 points for the Bengals and 19.5 for the Browns.
Did Browns vs Bengals go over or under the total?
The game went under. The consensus closing total was 47.5, and the teams combined for 38 points, 9.5 under the number.
Who covered the spread in Browns vs Bengals?
The Browns covered as 8.5-point underdogs against the closing line of Bengals −8.5. The final margin was 2 points.