The Bengals and Cleveland Browns are two of the NFL’s most talked-about AFC North rivals. Every time they meet, the player stats tell a wild story.
You want real numbers. Real players. Real analysis.
That’s what you’ll get here. We cover the most recent matchups, key player stats, position-by-position breakdowns, and what those numbers actually mean for the game.
Let’s get into it.
Final Scores at a Glance (Recent Matchups)
| Date | Location | Bengals | Browns | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4, 2026 | Cincinnati | 18 | 20 | Browns |
| Dec 22, 2024 | Cincinnati | 24 | 6 | Bengals |
| Oct 20, 2024 | Cleveland | 21 | 14 | Bengals |
| Jan 7, 2024 | Cleveland | 31 | 14 | Bengals |
The Bengals have dominated this rivalry in recent years. But the Browns have shown they can win — especially late in a season.
Quarterback Stats: Burrow vs The Browns
Joe Burrow is a machine when facing Cleveland. The numbers back it up.
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals)
Week 16, Dec 22, 2024 — Bengals 24, Browns 6
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 23 / 30 |
| Passing Yards | 252 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 134.3 |
That’s not just good. That’s historic. Burrow became the first QB ever to throw for 250+ yards and 3+ TDs in seven straight games. He passed Tom Brady’s record of six, set during New England’s unbeaten 2007 season.
He also crossed 4,000 passing yards in that game. That made him the first QB in Bengals history to hit 4,000 yards in three different seasons with Cincinnati.
In his 2024 full season, Burrow finished with:
- 4,918 passing yards (franchise record)
- 43 touchdown passes (franchise record)
- 108.5 passer rating (franchise record)
- 70.6% completion rate (franchise record)
Browns QB: Dorian Thompson-Robinson
Week 16, Dec 22, 2024
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | Partial stats |
| Passing Yards | 157 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Times Sacked | 5 |
| Rushing Yards | 49 |
DTR came in after Jameis Winston was held out. It was a rough day. Two picks, five sacks, and no TDs. Cleveland’s offense just couldn’t find a rhythm.
Browns QB: Shedeur Sanders (Week 18, Jan 4, 2026 — Browns 20, Bengals 18)
This was a different story. Sanders showed flashes. The Browns won by 2 in a close game. Myles Garrett set the NFL single-season sack record in this game (more on that below).
Running Back Stats
Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)
Chase Brown has been one of the most underrated backs in the AFC. In the Week 16 game vs Cleveland, he was a key part of the offense.
| Stat | Week 16 (Dec 22, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Scrimmage Yards | 100+ (5th straight game) |
| Role | Run + pass out of backfield |
Brown logged his fifth straight game with 100+ scrimmage yards going into that matchup. That’s rare for any running back, let alone one who wasn’t heavily hyped coming in.
Jerome Ford (Cleveland Browns)
Cleveland’s running game was actually strong in Week 16, even in a loss.
| Stat | Week 16 (Dec 22, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Carries | 11 |
| Rushing Yards | 93 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Longest Run | 66 yards (first play) |
| Total Yards | 131 |
Ford opened the game with a 66-yard run on the very first play. That’s the kind of play that sets a tone. The problem? D’Onta Foreman then fumbled at the goal line on the next series. That killed the momentum. The Bengals recovered and went 99 yards for a TD — a 14-point swing in a game that ended 24-6.
Wide Receiver Stats
Ja’Marr Chase (Cincinnati Bengals)
Ja’Marr Chase doesn’t just play well against the Browns. He plays like the best receiver in the league.
Week 16, Dec 22, 2024:
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 6 |
| Receiving Yards | 97 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Season Receiving Yards (at that point) | 1,510 |
That 97-yard game pushed Chase past his own Bengals franchise record of 1,455 yards. He broke a record he set himself. He also became the 57th player in NFL history to record 1,500 receiving yards in a season.
By the end of 2024, Chase led the entire NFL in:
- Receptions (108)
- Receiving yards
- TD catches (16)
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals)
Higgins was a big part of the Bengals’ win in Week 16.
| Stat | Week 16 (Dec 22, 2024) |
|---|---|
| Receptions | 8 |
| Receiving Yards | 58 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
One of his TDs was a 2-yard catch where Burrow literally threw the ball as he was falling to the ground. The play went for a 99-yard drive capped by that grab. Wild.
Andrei Iosivas (Cincinnati Bengals)
Iosivas had a quiet but important game. He caught a 6-yard TD in the second quarter that pushed the Bengals’ lead to 14-0.
Defensive Player Stats
Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns)
Garrett is the best defensive player in this rivalry. He proved it across multiple games.
Week 16, Dec 22, 2024:
- Recorded a sack on Joe Burrow in the second quarter
- Reached 100 career sacks — became the youngest player in NFL history (since 1982 tracking) to do so
Week 18, Jan 4, 2026 (Browns 20, Bengals 18):
- Recorded his 23rd sack of the season — setting the NFL single-season sack record
- His pressure directly killed a Bengals scoring drive in the 4th quarter
That’s not just good. That’s legendary. Garrett is the most dangerous edge rusher in the AFC North. Every time Burrow faces him, it’s a real chess match.
Bengals Defensive Standouts vs Browns (Week 16)
| Player | Key Stat |
|---|---|
| Vonn Bell (S) | Forced fumble recovery at goal line |
| Kris Jenkins Jr. (DT) | Sack of Dorian Thompson-Robinson |
| Trey Hendrickson (DE) | Sack in Week 16 |
| Jordan Battle (CB) | End zone interception of DTR |
| Mike Hilton (CB) | Sack — yes, a corner sack |
The Bengals’ defense forced nine turnovers across two games heading into Week 16. That’s a massive stat. It gave the offense extra possessions and field position.
Team Stats Comparison (Week 16 — Dec 22, 2024)
| Stat | Browns | Bengals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 273 | 326 |
| Total Plays | 63 | 56 |
| Yards Per Play | 4.3 | 5.8 |
| Passing Yards | 125 | 210 |
| Rushing Yards | 148 | 116 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of Possession | 29:12 | 30:48 |
| Final Score | 6 | 24 |
The Browns actually ran the ball better in this game (148 rush yards vs 116). But turnovers killed them. Three turnovers is almost impossible to overcome against a Burrow-led team.
Read: Los Angeles Rams vs Carolina Panthers Match Player Stats: Full Match History 2026
The Turnover Stat That Decides These Games
If there’s one number that explains most Bengals-Browns results, it’s turnovers.
- Browns had 3 turnovers, Bengals had 1 in Week 16, 2024
- The fumble at the goal line by Foreman led directly to a 99-yard Bengals TD drive — a 14-point swing
- DTR threw 2 picks, including one in the end zone that killed a scoring threat
In the Jan 4, 2026 game, the Bengals lost 20-18. In that game:
- LB Devin Bush returned a tipped pass 97 yards for a pick-six
- CB Sam Webb scooped a fumble and ran 47 yards for a TD
- Two defensive scores made the difference
The pattern is clear: whoever wins the turnover battle almost always wins this game.
Red Zone Performance: Where Games Are Won or Lost?
Both teams have had red zone issues in different ways.
Browns red zone struggles (Week 16, 2024):
- Ford had a 66-yard run, but Foreman fumbled at the 1-yard line
- DTR had a TD run called back on a holding penalty
- DTR threw a pick in the end zone
- All that effort = just 6 points
Bengals red zone efficiency:
- Converted both trips in Week 16 for TDs
- Burrow is historically great throwing in the red zone
- Chase is nearly impossible to cover in tight spaces
Bengals vs Browns Head-to-Head Stat Trends (2024–2026)
| Trend | Pattern |
|---|---|
| Bengals win when Burrow throws 2+ TDs | Almost every time |
| Browns win when running for 130+ yards | More likely to win |
| Turnover-free games favor Bengals | Burrow is more efficient |
| Myles Garrett gets 2+ pressures | Browns competitive |
| Chase gets 80+ yards | Bengals very likely to win |
Fantasy Football Takeaways from These Stats
If you play fantasy, these matchups have real value.
Start with confidence:
- Ja’Marr Chase vs Browns — consistent high targets, elite YAC, TD threat every week
- Tee Higgins vs Browns — 8 catches and a TD in Week 16 shows he’s a reliable floor
- Joe Burrow vs Browns — best passer rating of any QB vs CLE in recent seasons
Risky plays:
- Browns QB (anyone not named Burrow) vs the Bengals pass rush
- Cleveland WRs when trail early — DTR was targeted a lot out of desperation but ineffectively
Sleeper to watch:
- Chase Brown — five straight 100-yard scrimmage games showed he’s a real RB1 when healthy
Myles Garrett: The One Stat That Changes Everything
You can’t talk about this rivalry without talking about Myles Garrett in full. Here’s why he’s so important:
- His 100th career sack came vs Burrow (Dec 22, 2024)
- His NFL record 23rd sack of the season came vs Burrow (Jan 4, 2026)
- He is the main reason the Browns can compete with Cincinnati
- When he’s disruptive, even Burrow struggles
The Bengals know this. Their game plan almost always includes keeping the right tackle healthy and using quick passes to limit Garrett’s impact.
How to Read These Stats Like an Analyst?
Most people look at yards and points. That’s a start. But here’s what actually tells the full story:
1. Turnover margin Win this, you probably win the game. Every time.
2. Yards per play (not total yards) Cleveland got more total plays in Week 16 but lost by 18. Bengals had 5.8 yards per play vs 4.3. That’s the efficiency gap.
3. Sack totals on Burrow Burrow sacked 5+ times? That’s a good day for Cleveland. Fewer than 3? Bengals win almost every time.
4. Red zone conversion rate The Browns left points on the field in nearly every red zone trip in Week 16. That’s the difference between a close game and a blowout.
5. Chase’s target share When Chase gets 8+ targets, the Bengals score. It’s that simple.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What were Joe Burrow’s stats vs the Browns in Week 16 2024? A: Burrow went 23 of 30 for 252 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 picks. His passer rating was 134.3.
Q: Did Ja’Marr Chase break a record in the Dec 22, 2024 Bengals-Browns game? A: Yes. Chase’s 97-yard game pushed him to 1,510 receiving yards, breaking his own Bengals single-season record of 1,455. He also led the entire NFL in catches, yards, and TDs by that point.
Q: How did Myles Garrett do vs the Bengals? A: In Week 16 2024, Garrett got his 100th career sack. In Week 18 of the 2025 season, he set the NFL single-season sack record with his 23rd sack — both against Joe Burrow.
Q: Why did the Browns lose 24-6 in December 2024 despite running well? A: Cleveland had 3 turnovers, including a goal-line fumble, two DTR interceptions (one in the end zone), and a TD run called back by penalty. Their QB was also sacked five times. All that killed any chance of scoring.
Q: Who is the best fantasy player to start from these matchups? A: Ja’Marr Chase is the safest start. He has been one of the most consistent fantasy receivers in any Bengals-Browns game. Tee Higgins is also worth starting as a WR2. Avoid Cleveland WRs unless their QB situation stabilizes.
Q: What stat best predicts the outcome of Bengals vs Browns? A: Turnover margin. In every close game between these teams, the team with fewer turnovers wins. It’s more reliable than total yards or points scored by halftime.
Q: How does Burrow perform against the Browns overall? A: Very well. Burrow consistently posts high passer ratings, multiple TDs, and low turnover numbers against Cleveland. His quick release helps neutralize Myles Garrett’s pass rush.
Q: Has any Browns QB performed well vs Cincinnati recently? A: Shedeur Sanders showed promise in Week 18 of 2025 when Cleveland won 20-18. That was one of the more competitive recent QB performances from a Browns starter vs the Bengals.
Final Word
the Bengals vs Cleveland Browns rivalry comes down to a few decisive factors — quarterback efficiency, turnover margin, and defensive impact. When Joe Burrow protects the ball and connects with Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati usually controls the game, but Cleveland stays dangerous thanks to Myles Garrett’s game-changing pressure and a strong run attack. The stats make it clear: big plays, red zone execution, and mistakes decide everything in this matchup. Keep an eye on those numbers, and you’ll understand not just who won, but exactly why they won.
