National Football League

FINAL
Cincinnati Bengals 17
–
Cleveland Browns 16
1st2nd3rd4thT
CIN773017
CLE0106016
Huntington Bank Field · 65,599 att.

Match Report

Bengals defense leads the way to 17-16 win over the Browns in opener

— DJ Turner and the Bengals defense heard the narrative throughout the offseason that they were mainly the reason why Cincinnati missed the playoffs last season.

Full story at ESPN →

Team Stats

CIN CLE
11
1st Downs
22
7
Passing 1st downs
13
3
Rushing 1st downs
5
1
1st downs from penalties
4
7-14
3rd down efficiency
9-16
0-0
4th down efficiency
2-3
49
Total Plays
71
141
Total Yards
327
2.9
Yards per Play
4.6
10
Total Drives
10
95
Passing
278
14/23
Comp/Att
31/45
3.7
Yards per pass
5.9
0
Interceptions thrown
2
3-18
Sacks-Yards Lost
2-12
46
Rushing
49
23
Rushing Attempts
24
2.0
Yards per rush
2.0
2-3
Red Zone (Made-Att)
2-3
7-33
Penalties
7-53
0
Turnovers
2
0
Fumbles lost
0
0
Interceptions thrown
2
0
Defensive / Special Teams TDs
0
24:11
Possession
35:49

Top Performers

CIN

  • Ryan Rehkow NO 6 · YDS 316 · AVG 52.7
  • Joe Burrow C/ATT 14/23 · YDS 113 · AVG 4.9
  • Evan McPherson FG 1/1 · PCT 100.0 · LONG 35
  • Charlie Jones NO 3 · YDS 70 · AVG 23.3

CLE

  • Joe Flacco C/ATT 31/45 · YDS 290 · AVG 6.4
  • Corey Bojorquez NO 2 · YDS 97 · AVG 48.5
  • DeAndre Carter NO 4 · YDS 105 · AVG 26.3
  • Jerry Jeudy REC 5 · YDS 66 · AVG 13.2

Injuries

Cleveland Browns

  • Daniel Thomas Questionable
  • Myles Harden Questionable
  • Kalia Davis Injured Reserve
  • Teven Jenkins Injured Reserve
  • Raheim Sanders Injured Reserve

Cincinnati Bengals

  • Andrei Iosivas Injured Reserve
  • Joe Giles-Harris Questionable
  • Erick All Jr. Injured Reserve
  • Kyle Dugger Out
  • Tanner Hudson Injured Reserve

Play by Play

  1. Field Goal 2:48 17-16

    Evan McPherson 35 Yd Field Goal

    Q3
  2. Touchdown 7:20 14-16

    Cedric Tillman 5 Yd pass from Joe Flacco (Andre Szmyt PAT Failed)

    Q3
  3. Field Goal 0:23 14-10

    Andre Szmyt 45 Yd Field Goal

    Q2
  4. Touchdown 4:18 14-7

    Noah Fant 1 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)

    Q2
  5. Touchdown 12:42 7-7

    Raheim Sanders 1 Yd Rush (Andre Szmyt Kick)

    Q2
  6. Touchdown 7:32 7-0

    Chase Brown 5 Yd Rush (Evan McPherson Kick)

    Q1
  1. CLE

    3 plays, 28 yards, 0:19 · End of Game

    Q4
  2. CIN 0:19

    3 plays, -10 yards, 1:05 · Punt

    Q4
  3. CLE 1:24

    2 plays, 9 yards, 0:26 · Interception

    Q4
  4. CIN 1:50

    3 plays, 4 yards, 0:32 · Punt

    Q4
  5. CLE 2:22

    10 plays, 24 yards, 4:34 · Missed FG

    Q4
  6. CIN 6:56

    3 plays, -18 yards, 2:26 · Punt

    Q4
  7. CLE 9:22

    6 plays, 38 yards, 3:48 · Punt

    Q4
  8. CIN 13:10

    3 plays, 1 yard, 1:03 · Punt

    Q4
  9. CLE 14:13

    7 plays, 36 yards, 3:35 · Downs

    Q4
  10. CIN 2:48

    7 plays, 17 yards, 2:05 · Field Goal

    Q3
  11. Field Goal 2:48 17-16

    Evan McPherson 35 Yd Field Goal

    Q3
  12. CLE 4:53

    2 plays, -6 yards, 0:44 · Interception

    Q3
  13. CIN 5:37

    3 plays, 8 yards, 1:43 · Punt

    Q3
  14. CLE 7:20

    13 plays, 69 yards, 7:40 · Touchdown

    Q3
  15. Touchdown 7:20 14-16

    Cedric Tillman 5 Yd pass from Joe Flacco (Andre Szmyt PAT Failed)

    Q3
  16. CIN

    2 plays, 9 yards, 0:23 · End of Half

    Q2
  17. CLE 0:23

    11 plays, 51 yards, 3:55 · Field Goal

    Q2
  18. Field Goal 0:23 14-10

    Andre Szmyt 45 Yd Field Goal

    Q2
  19. CIN 4:18

    8 plays, 54 yards, 4:13 · Touchdown

    Q2
  20. Touchdown 4:18 14-7

    Noah Fant 1 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Evan McPherson Kick)

    Q2
  21. CLE 8:31

    3 plays, 2 yards, 0:58 · Punt

    Q2
  22. CIN 9:29

    6 plays, 19 yards, 3:13 · Punt

    Q2
  23. CLE 12:42

    16 plays, 67 yards, 9:50 · Touchdown

    Q2
  24. Touchdown 12:42 7-7

    Raheim Sanders 1 Yd Rush (Andre Szmyt Kick)

    Q2
  25. CIN 7:32

    12 plays, 68 yards, 7:28 · Touchdown

    Q1
  26. Touchdown 7:32 7-0

    Chase Brown 5 Yd Rush (Evan McPherson Kick)

    Q1

NFL News

All news
ESPN ESPN staff Halloween 2026: Breaking down top athlete costumes from across the sports world Athletes far and wide across the sports world showed off special costumes for Halloween. News Derwin James placed on injured reserve after hamstring rehab setback The Chargers have placed safety Derwin James Jr. on injured reserve because of a hamstring injury. ESPN Matt Bowen Fantasy football last-minute pickups: Geno Smith, Ryan Flournoy are top options If injuries, bye weeks or tough matchups have you seeking lineup help, Matt Bowen lists potential options. News Brady Henderson Zach Charbonnet, Jadarian Price have no game designations for Monday Seahawks running backs Zach Charbonnet and Jadarian Price have no game designations, meaning both are healthy enough to play Monday night against the Bears.