The Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals share one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, known as the “Battle of Ohio.” As of March 22, 2025, these two AFC North teams continue to captivate fans with their intense matchups, unpredictable outcomes, and evolving team dynamics. With the 2024 regular season behind us and the 2025 offseason underway, now’s the perfect time to explore the latest stats, standout performances, and historical context that define this epic clash. This article dives deep into the numbers, highlights key players, and breaks down what makes this rivalry a must-watch spectacle.
The Rivalry’s Roots: A Quick History Lesson
The Browns and Bengals first locked horns in 1970, sparking a rivalry that’s grown fiercer with every passing year. Ohio’s football pride hangs in the balance whenever these teams meet, and the stats tell a story of tight competition. Over 102 games, Cincinnati holds a slight edge with 54 wins to Cleveland’s 48. The Bengals average 21.8 points per game historically against the Browns, while Cleveland counters with 20.4 points per game. However, recent seasons show a shift, with both teams trading blows and delivering unforgettable moments.
Fast forward to today, and the rivalry remains as heated as ever. The 2024 season featured two thrilling showdowns between these squads, offering fresh stats and insights into their current form. Let’s break down the latest numbers and see how these teams stack up in 2025’s early offseason chatter.
2024 Season Recap: Browns vs. Bengals Head-to-Head
The 2024 NFL season gave fans two Browns-Bengals clashes, each showcasing the teams’ strengths and struggles. The first meeting came in Week 7 on October 20, 2024, at Cleveland Browns Stadium. Cincinnati stormed out with a 21-14 victory, snapping a five-game losing streak in Cleveland. Joe Burrow carved up the Browns’ defense, throwing for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while Chase Brown added 69 rushing yards. Cleveland’s offense sputtered, managing just 228 total yards, with Deshaun Watson tossing for 128 yards and a touchdown before exiting due to injury.
The rematch in Week 16 on December 22, 2024, at Paycor Stadium flipped the script. Cincinnati dominated again, cruising to a 24-6 win. Burrow dazzled with 252 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with Ja’Marr Chase for 97 yards and a score. Cleveland’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled in Watson’s absence, mustering only 157 passing yards. The Bengals’ defense suffocated the Browns, limiting them to 206 total yards and forcing two turnovers. These games highlight Cincinnati’s recent upper hand, winning both 2024 matchups and outscoring Cleveland 45-20 across the two contests.
Offensive Firepower: Breaking Down the Numbers
Cincinnati Bengals: Burrow’s Brilliance Fuels the Attack
Joe Burrow continues to shine as the Bengals’ offensive maestro in 2024. He finished the season with 4,229 passing yards, 39 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, completing 68.5% of his passes. His Week 16 performance against Cleveland showcased his precision, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt. Burrow’s chemistry with Ja’Marr Chase remains lethal—Chase hauled in 108 receptions for 1,510 yards and 16 touchdowns across the season, including a standout showing in the December win.
The Bengals’ ground game also flexed its muscles in 2024. Chase Brown emerged as a star, racking up 891 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. Against Cleveland in Week 7, he averaged 6.9 yards per rush, proving his explosive potential. Cincinnati’s offense averaged 26.2 points per game overall, climbing to 22.5 points in their two wins over the Browns. This firepower gives the Bengals a clear edge as they head into 2025.
Cleveland Browns: Struggles Define the Season
Cleveland’s offense, by contrast, hit rough patches throughout 2024. The Browns averaged just 16.9 points per game, ranking near the bottom of the NFL. Deshaun Watson’s season ended prematurely due to injury, finishing with 1,148 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in seven starts. His replacement, Dorian Thompson-Robinson, managed 863 yards and two touchdowns but threw seven interceptions, exposing the team’s quarterback woes.
The bright spot? Running back Jerome Ford stepped up, rushing for 983 yards and seven touchdowns, including a 66-yard scamper against Cincinnati in Week 16. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy also impressed, posting 1,052 yards and four touchdowns on 70 catches. Yet, Cleveland’s offense faltered against the Bengals, averaging 217 yards per game in the two losses. Turnovers and inconsistent play plagued the unit, setting the stage for a 2025 overhaul.
Defensive Showdowns: Who Held the Line?
Bengals’ Defense: Rising to the Challenge
Cincinnati’s defense turned heads in 2024, tightening up against Cleveland in both matchups. They allowed just 10 points per game across the two wins, a stark contrast to their season average of 24.8 points allowed. Linebacker Germaine Pratt led the charge with 125 tackles, four tackles for loss, and an interception, while Trey Hendrickson terrorized quarterbacks with 12.5 sacks, including two against the Browns.
Cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt snagged three interceptions on the year, one coming in the Week 16 rout, and safety Geno Stone added 75 tackles and three picks. The Bengals forced three turnovers against Cleveland, including a pivotal fumble recovery in December. This opportunistic unit stifled the Browns’ attack, holding them to 3.8 yards per play in Week 16. Heading into 2025, Cincinnati’s defense looks poised to build on this momentum.
Browns’ Defense: A Mixed Bag
Cleveland’s defense carried the team at times in 2024, but it couldn’t contain Cincinnati’s offense. The Browns allowed 22.6 points per game overall, yet surrendered 22.5 points per game to the Bengals in their two losses. Myles Garrett remained a force, racking up 14 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, though he managed just one sack against Burrow. Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah added 101 tackles and two interceptions, bolstering the second level.
The secondary struggled, however, with Denzel Ward grabbing two picks but allowing big plays to Chase and Tee Higgins. Cleveland’s defense forced only one turnover across the two Bengals games, a fumble in Week 7. Penalties and missed assignments hurt the unit, which averaged 334.2 yards allowed per game league-wide. The Browns need to sharpen their execution to reclaim dominance in this rivalry.
Special Teams: The X-Factor
Special teams often tip the scales in close games, and 2024 proved no exception. Cincinnati’s Evan McPherson nailed 23 of 27 field goals, including a 46-yarder against Cleveland in Week 16. Punter Ryan Rehkow averaged 47.2 yards per punt, pinning the Browns deep at times. Returner Charlie Jones added 248 punt return yards, though he didn’t break one against Cleveland.
The Browns countered with Dustin Hopkins, who hit 20 of 25 field goals, including a 43-yarder in Week 7. Punter Corey Bojorquez averaged 48.1 yards per punt, but Cleveland’s return game lagged, with Ford managing just 112 punt return yards. Neither team scored a special teams touchdown in their 2024 meetings, but Cincinnati’s consistency gave them a slight edge in this phase.
FAQs: Your Browns vs. Bengals Questions Answered
1. How did the Bengals perform against the Browns in the 2024 season?
The Bengals swept the Browns in 2024, winning 21-14 in Week 7 and 24-6 in Week 16. Joe Burrow threw for 433 yards and five touchdowns combined, while Cincinnati’s defense held Cleveland to 20 points total. This marked a shift from recent years, ending a long drought in Cleveland.
2. Who are the standout players in the Browns-Bengals rivalry right now?
Farnham Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase lead the Bengals, with Burrow’s passing and Chase’s receiving, tearing up defenses. For the Browns, Myles Garrett’s pass-rushing prowess and Jerome Ford’s rushing ability stand out. These stars drive the rivalry’s intensity each game.
3. What’s the historical win-loss record between the Browns and Bengals?
EFL As of 2024, the Cleveland Browns Bengals lead with 54 wins to the Browns’ 48 over 102 games since 1970. Cincinnati averages 21.8 points per game historically, while Cleveland scores 20.4. The 2024 sweep tilted the recent balance toward the Bengals.
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