Bengals Seek to End Losing Streak as They Face Browns in Season Opener

Bengals Seek to End Losing Streak as They Face Browns in Season Opener.

The Cincinnati Bengals look to break a three-game losing streak in season openers as they face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at 1 p.m. in Cleveland. The Bengals, favored by 5.5 points, hold a series lead over the Browns and swept last season’s matchups. Key players include Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who excelled last year but struggles in Week 1 games, and Browns DE Myles Garrett, a top pass rusher with a strong track record against Burrow. Both teams enter healthy, with notable matchups like Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase against the Browns secondary. Cincinnati has struggled in recent openers but boasts strong individual performances, while Cleveland aims to build on recent September success under coach Kevin Stefanski.

The Cincinnati Bengals look to break a three-game losing streak in season openers as they face the Cleveland Browns this Sunday at 1 p.m. in Cleveland. The Bengals, favored by 5.5 points, hold a series lead over the Browns and swept last season’s matchups. Key players include Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who excelled last year but struggles in Week 1 games, and Browns DE Myles Garrett, a top pass rusher with a strong track record against Burrow. Both teams enter healthy, with notable matchups like Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase against the Browns secondary. Cincinnati has struggled in recent openers but boasts strong individual performances, while Cleveland aims to build on recent September success under coach Kevin Stefanski.

Game Details:

Cincinnati Bengals (9-8) vs. Cleveland Browns (3-14)
Location: Cleveland
BetMGM NFL Odds: Bengals favored by 5.5 points
Series Record: Bengals lead 55-48
Last Meeting: Bengals defeated Browns 24-6 in Cincinnati on December 22, 2024

2024 Team Stats:

Bengals Offense: Overall (9), Rush (30), Pass (1), Scoring (6)
Bengals Defense: Overall (25), Rush (19), Pass (21), Scoring (Tied 25)
Browns Offense: Overall (28), Rush (29), Pass (22), Scoring (32)
Browns Defense: Overall (19), Rush (21), Pass (12), Scoring (27)
Turnover Differential: Bengals +3, Browns -22

Players to Watch:

Bengals QB Joe Burrow enters his sixth season after leading the league last year in completions (460), passing yards (4,918), and TD passes (43). While he struggled early in his career against the Browns, he won both matchups last season with five touchdowns and no interceptions. However, Burrow is 1-4 in Week 1 games, with losses in the past three and no touchdown passes in the last two.
Browns DE Myles Garrett, a four-time All-Pro, has nine sacks against Burrow—his highest against any QB. Garrett led the league last season with 22 tackles for loss, ranked second with 14 sacks, and is the only player with double-digit sacks in each of the past seven seasons.

Key Matchup:

Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. Browns secondary. Chase has had difficulties against Cleveland early in his career but posted 11 catches for 152 yards and two touchdowns last season. His best success came on short routes, where he gained significant yards after the catch.

Injuries:

Both teams enter the opener healthy. Browns DT Mike Hall (knee) was the only player who did not practice on Wednesday.

Series Notes:

Bengals swept the season series last year for the first time since 2017.
Since Cleveland’s return in 1999, Cincinnati leads the series 31-21.

Additional Insights:

Cincinnati has lost its past three season openers and holds a 7-14-1 September record under coach Zac Taylor since 2019, ranking fourth worst in the league.
RB Chase Brown averaged 116.3 scrimmage yards over the last eight games of the previous season.
DE Trey Hendrickson, last season’s NFL sack leader with 17.5, has recorded at least half a sack in four consecutive games against the Browns.
LB Logan Wilson leads all linebackers with 11 interceptions since 2020.
K Evan McPherson is tied for fifth in the league with 24 field goals of 50+ yards since 2021.
Cleveland is 3-21-1 in season openers since 1999 but has won two of the last three.
Browns are 9-2 in September games under coach Kevin Stefanski since 2020.
QB Joe Flacco will be the eighth player aged 40 or older to start a Week 1 NFL game since 1948 and holds a 12-2 record in starts for Cleveland.
RB Jerome Ford rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown in the last meeting against the Bengals.
TE David Njoku has recorded at least eight catches and 65 yards in each of the last two games against Cincinnati.
WR Jerry Jeudy set a Browns single-season record with 90 catches last year.

Fantasy Tip:

Bengals WR Tee Higgins had at least 50 receiving yards in six of seven road games last season and has caught touchdown passes in two consecutive games against the Browns.