Cincinnati Bengals fall to Cleveland Browns 20-18 in final game of lackluster season

CINCINNATI — After attempting a comeback late in the fourth quarter, the Cincinnati Bengals ended their season Sunday with a 20-18 loss to the Cleveland Browns.

A shred of hope was in the air for Cincinnati when Joe Burrow found Ja'Marr Chase in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown. The Bengals went for a two-point conversion but were unsuccessful.

Shedeur Sanders and the Browns were able to get the ball down the field far enough for Cleveland to seal the win with a 49-yard field goal from kicker Andre Szmyt.

Despite the loss, Burrow threw 29-of-39 for 236 yards and three touchdowns throughout the game. Shortly before halftime, Burrow found Tee Higgins for an impressive one-handed touchdown catch. Cincinnati kicker Evan McPherson missed the extra point, though.

Burrow found running back Chase Brown, who eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards during the game, for a receiving touchdown. McPherson's extra point attempt was deflected by a Browns defender.

Brown's touchdown also came after Sanders fumbled on a strip sack on the Browns' first drive.

Cleveland collected the majority of its points on defensive touchdowns. Cleveland got its second straight turnover for points when tight end Drew Sample fumbled a pass that was scooped up by Cleveland corner Sam Webb, who ran it back into the end zone.

On the previous Bengals drive, a pass from Burrow was deflected and intercepted by Browns linebacker Devin Bush, who ran it back for a 97-yard pick-six.

Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett also made NFL history, setting the NFL sack record at 23 with a sack against Joe Burrow. Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt were tied for the previous record at 22.5.

While both the Browns and Bengals were eliminated from postseason contention weeks ago, Sunday's matchup still marked a bitter divisional game and the Battle of Ohio.

Head coach Zac Taylor said it was the little things that cost the Bengals the game.

"It's a little bit fitting, you know, with how our season's gone. It doesn't make it right," Taylor said.

Burrow agreed with the sentiment that the loss was fitting.

"It's certainly a microcosm of the way things have gone the past two years," Burrow said.

He also said he thinks the team and organization have the same mindset heading into the offseason.

"I think for the most part we're all on the same page about what we need to do and where we need to go," Burrow said.

When asked if his opinion on the Bengals' organization and front office has changed at all this season, Burrow said, "We all want to win."

The Bengals head into the offseason with a top 10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.