Full Score Table
| Team | 1st Quarter | 2nd Quarter | 3rd Quarter | 4th Quarter | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Cleveland Browns | 0 | 10 | 6 | 0 | 16 |
Game Recap
The Cincinnati Bengals opened their 2025 season with a nail-biting 17–16 win over the division rival Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sunday, surviving late-game drama thanks to a crucial defensive stand and Browns miscues.
The Bengals struck first in the opening quarter when rookie Chase Brown capped a solid drive with a rushing touchdown. He finished with 21 carries, 43 yards, and one score. In the second quarter, Cincinnati extended its lead with a touchdown pass, but Cleveland stormed back before halftime. Running back Raheim Sanders plunged in from one yard out, and rookie kicker Andre Szmyt nailed a 45-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 14–10 at the break.
Momentum briefly swung to Cleveland in the third quarter as veteran quarterback Joe Flacco connected with Cedric Tillman for a 17-yard touchdown. However, Szmyt missed the extra point, leaving the Browns with just a 16–14 lead. That mistake loomed large. Later in the quarter, Bengals kicker Evan McPherson converted a 35-yard field goal, putting Cincinnati back on top 17–16.
The Browns had two golden chances in the fourth quarter. First, Szmyt missed a 36-yard field goal attempt that would have given Cleveland the lead. Then, with under two minutes left, Flacco’s tipped pass was intercepted by DJ Turner II, sealing the Bengals’ victory.
Flacco threw for 290 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions, while the Bengals’ defense stepped up in key moments. For Cincinnati, the win snapped a recent Week 1 drought and provided an early boost in the AFC North race. For Cleveland, costly errors and special teams woes turned a potential victory into heartbreak.