The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals meet twice every season. Both teams are in the AFC North. That means every game counts — for the standings, for pride, and for a rivalry that goes back decades.
You want the real stats. Not just scores. You want to know who won, who put up yards, who scored touchdowns, and what the trends look like over time.
That’s exactly what you’ll find here.
What Is the Bengals vs Browns Rivalry?
These two teams share the same division — the AFC North. They play twice a year, every year.
Cleveland fans know the pain of this matchup well. Cincinnati had the edge for a long stretch. But Cleveland has fought back, especially in 2020, 2021, and 2025.
Here’s what makes this matchup interesting:
- Both teams have had bad seasons and great seasons in recent years
- The games are often close — many decided by one score
- The 2025 season ended with Cleveland beating Cincinnati 20–18 in the final week
Let’s break it all down.
Bengals vs Browns Game Log: 2013 to 2026
Here is the full game log from the most recent data. This covers every Browns vs Bengals game over the past 13 seasons.
| # | Date | Location | Result | TDs | 1st Downs | Browns Off Yds | Bengals Off Yds | 3rd Down % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan 4, 2026 | @ CIN | W 20–18 | 2 | 11 | 200 | 364 | 35.7% |
| 2 | Sep 7, 2025 | vs CIN | L 16–17 | 2 | 22 | 327 | 141 | 56.3% |
| 3 | Dec 22, 2024 | @ CIN | L 6–24 | 1 | 18 | 273 | 326 | 25.0% |
| 4 | Oct 20, 2024 | vs CIN | L 14–21 | 2 | 18 | 336 | 223 | 42.1% |
| 5 | Jan 7, 2024 | @ CIN | L 14–31 | 2 | 13 | 244 | 328 | 18.2% |
| 6 | Sep 10, 2023 | vs CIN | W 24–3 | 2 | 21 | 350 | 142 | 28.6% |
| 7 | Dec 11, 2022 | @ CIN | L 10–23 | 1 | 18 | 344 | 363 | 26.7% |
| 8 | Oct 31, 2022 | vs CIN | W 32–13 | 4 | 24 | 440 | 229 | 61.5% |
| 9 | Jan 9, 2022 | vs CIN | W 21–16 | 3 | 24 | 376 | 182 | 50.0% |
| 10 | Nov 7, 2021 | @ CIN | W 41–16 | 5 | 14 | 361 | 348 | 33.3% |
| 11 | Oct 25, 2020 | @ CIN | W 37–34 | 5 | 23 | 398 | 468 | 71.4% |
| 12 | Sep 17, 2020 | vs CIN | W 35–30 | 5 | 23 | 434 | 353 | 62.5% |
| 13 | Dec 29, 2019 | @ CIN | L 23–33 | 3 | 15 | 313 | 361 | 30.8% |
| 14 | Dec 8, 2019 | vs CIN | W 27–19 | 3 | 17 | 333 | 451 | 58.3% |
| 15 | Dec 23, 2018 | vs CIN | W 26–18 | 3 | 23 | 493 | 209 | 41.7% |
| 16 | Nov 25, 2018 | @ CIN | W 35–20 | 5 | 24 | 342 | 372 | 50.0% |
| 17 | Nov 26, 2017 | @ CIN | L 16–30 | 1 | 21 | 405 | 361 | 40.0% |
| 18 | Oct 1, 2017 | vs CIN | L 7–31 | 1 | 16 | 215 | 350 | 31.3% |
| 19 | Dec 11, 2016 | vs CIN | L 10–23 | 1 | 13 | 254 | 360 | 42.9% |
| 20 | Oct 23, 2016 | @ CIN | L 17–31 | 2 | 22 | 352 | 559 | 42.9% |
| 21 | Dec 6, 2015 | vs CIN | L 3–37 | 0 | 18 | 273 | 377 | 46.2% |
| 22 | Nov 5, 2015 | @ CIN | L 10–31 | 1 | 13 | 213 | 371 | 30.8% |
| 23 | Dec 14, 2014 | vs CIN | L 0–30 | 0 | 5 | 107 | 347 | 10.0% |
| 24 | Nov 6, 2014 | @ CIN | W 24–3 | 3 | 21 | 368 | 165 | 43.8% |
| 25 | Nov 17, 2013 | @ CIN | L 20–41 | 2 | 15 | 330 | 224 | 22.2% |
Key Stats Explained: What Do These Numbers Mean?
Not sure what some of these stats are? Here’s a quick guide.
Offensive Yards (Off Yds)
This is the total yards a team gains in a game. It counts both pass yards and rush yards. More yards usually means more scoring chances.
1st Downs (1DWN)
First downs show how well a team moves the ball. If you get a first down, you keep the drive alive. A team with 20+ first downs is usually in control.
3rd Down %
This tells you how often a team converts on third down. A high number means the offense stays on the field. A low number means three-and-outs.
TDs
Total touchdowns scored by the Browns in that game.
Browns vs Bengals: Head-to-Head Record (2013–2026)
Let’s look at the big picture.
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Total Games (2013–2026) | 25 |
| Browns Wins | 12 |
| Browns Losses | 13 |
| Average Browns Off Yards | 338 |
| Average Bengals Off Yards | 327 |
| Most TDs in a Game (Browns) | 5 (three times) |
| Lowest Scoring Game | 0–30, Dec 14, 2014 |
| Most Points Scored (Browns) | 41 (Nov 7, 2021) |
So the series is nearly even over this time frame. Cleveland has actually been competitive. The 2020 and 2021 seasons were especially good for the Browns — they won all four games in those two years.
The 2025 Season: How Did Both Teams Do Against Each Other?
The 2025 season was a tough year for both teams. Neither made the playoffs.
Game 1 — September 7, 2025: Bengals 17, Browns 16
Cincinnati came to Cleveland and won by just one point. The Bengals only put up 141 offensive yards. Cleveland had 327 yards and 22 first downs but could not close it out.
This game came down to late-game execution. The Browns moved the ball well but couldn’t convert when it mattered.
Game 2 — January 4, 2026: Browns 20, Bengals 18
Cleveland got revenge in Cincinnati on the final weekend. The Browns won 20–18, despite being outgained 364 yards to 200 yards.
This shows that total yards don’t always tell the full story. Cleveland was efficient when it counted.
2025 Browns Player Stats: Top Performers
Here’s how the key Browns players performed in the 2025 season overall.
| Player | Position | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|
| Shedeur Sanders | QB | 1,400 passing yards |
| Quinshon Judkins | RB | 827 rushing yards |
| Harold Fannin Jr. | TE | 731 receiving yards |
Shedeur Sanders was the Browns’ rookie quarterback in 2025. He was a first-round pick and the son of Hall of Fame player Deion Sanders. The Browns ranked 31st in passing yards per game at 185.4 and 31st in points per game at 16.4. That tells you they had a rough year on offense.
Still, Sanders showed flashes. The win over Cincinnati in Week 18 showed he could lead a game-winning drive.
Read: Clippers vs Denver Nuggets Match Player Stats: Full Game Log, Scores & Key Numbers (2020–2026)
2025 AFC North Standings: Where Both Teams Finished?
Here’s how the division shook out at the end of the 2025 season.
| Team | W | L | Pct |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 10 | 7 | .588 |
| Baltimore Ravens | 8 | 9 | .471 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 6 | 11 | .353 |
| Cleveland Browns | 5 | 12 | .294 |
Both the Bengals and Browns finished at the bottom. But the Browns beat the Bengals head-to-head in the last game of the year. That matters for pride — and for draft positioning.
3 Big Trends from the Bengals vs Browns Matchup
1. The 2020 Season Was a High-Water Mark for Cleveland
Cleveland went 2–0 against Cincinnati in 2020. They won both games with 5 touchdowns. In one game, they put up 434 offensive yards. In another, 398 yards. The Browns were rolling that year.
2. Defensive Wins Are Real in This Series
Some of the closest games have been won by teams with low offensive output. The Browns won 20–18 in January 2026 with just 200 yards of offense. Defense and special teams play a huge role in this rivalry.
3. Cincinnati Dominated in 2015–2017
The Bengals won five of six games from 2015 through 2017. Cleveland scored just 3 points in one of those losses (L 3–37 in December 2015). It was a low point for the franchise.
Bengals vs Browns: The 4 Most Memorable Recent Games
W 41–16 — November 7, 2021 (@ Cincinnati)
Cleveland demolished Cincinnati on the road. The Browns scored 5 touchdowns. This was one of the most one-sided wins in recent memory. Cleveland had 361 yards and held Cincy to the same.
W 32–13 — October 31, 2022 (vs Cincinnati)
A Halloween blowout at home. Cleveland scored 4 touchdowns and racked up 440 offensive yards. Their best offensive output in any Bengals game in recent memory.
W 24–3 — September 10, 2023 (vs Cincinnati)
A season opener at home. The Browns held Cincinnati to just 142 yards and 3 points. Strong defensive effort. Cleveland had 350 yards and won by 21.
W 20–18 — January 4, 2026 (@ Cincinnati)
The most recent game. A close win on the road to close out the season. Shedeur Sanders and the Browns held on despite being outgained. A sign of things to come?
What Stats Matter Most in This Rivalry?
Here’s what the data shows actually predicts wins in this matchup.
- 3rd down conversion rate — Teams with a 3rd down rate above 50% won almost every game in this log.
- Turnovers — Not tracked in this data, but historically, the team that wins the turnover battle wins this game.
- Yards allowed — When Cleveland held Cincinnati under 230 yards, they went 3–0 in those games.
- Touchdowns — Cleveland scored 4 or more TDs in 5 of their biggest wins.
Browns 2026 Schedule: When Do They Play Cincinnati Next?
The 2026 NFL season has not started yet. Games begin September 9, 2026 with a Patriots–Seahawks matchup. The Browns and Bengals will meet twice again in 2026 as AFC North rivals.
Cleveland opens the 2026 season on September 13 at Jacksonville.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the better record, Bengals or Browns all time?
In overall NFL history, the series is fairly close. In the 2013–2026 stretch shown here, Cleveland won 12 and lost 13 — nearly even.
Who won the most recent Bengals vs Browns game?
The Cleveland Browns won 20–18 on January 4, 2026 in Cincinnati. It was the last game of the 2025 regular season.
How many yards did the Browns average against the Bengals?
Over the 25 games in this data, the Browns averaged about 338 offensive yards per game. The Bengals averaged about 327 yards.
Who are the key players for the Browns in 2025?
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders led the team with 1,400 passing yards. Running back Quinshon Judkins had 827 rush yards. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had 731 receiving yards.
Did the Browns make the playoffs in 2025?
No. Cleveland finished 5–12 and last in the AFC North in 2025.
What was the biggest win for Cleveland against Cincinnati in recent years?
The Browns won 41–16 on November 7, 2021. They scored 5 touchdowns and won by 25 points.
What was Cleveland’s worst loss to Cincinnati in recent memory?
The 0–30 loss on December 14, 2014 stands out. Cleveland had just 5 first downs and 107 offensive yards. Their lowest numbers in this entire dataset.
How often do the Bengals and Browns play each other?
They play twice a year — once at home and once away — as they are in the same division.
What is a good 3rd down conversion rate in the NFL?
The league average is about 40–42%. In this matchup, teams that hit 50% or more almost always won.
Who leads the Browns in sacks in 2025?
The Browns ranked third in the NFL in team sacks in 2025 with 53 total. Myles Garrett is the franchise’s top pass rusher.
Final Takeaway
The Bengals vs Browns rivalry remains one of the most competitive matchups in the AFC North, with closely fought games, shifting momentum, and nearly even results over the 2013–2026 period. While Cincinnati had strong stretches of dominance in the mid-2010s, Cleveland responded with improved performances in the 2020–2021 seasons and continued to stay competitive through 2025 and into early 2026. The data shows that neither team consistently controls the series, as outcomes often depend on execution in key moments like third downs, turnovers, and red-zone efficiency rather than total yardage. With both franchises rebuilding and developing new talent, this rivalry is expected to stay intense and unpredictable in future seasons, making every matchup a must-watch for NFL fans.
