The air was freezing at Paycor Stadium on January 4, 2026. If you were looking for what was the final score of the cleveland browns game, the scoreboard read Cleveland Browns 20, Cincinnati Bengals 18. It wasn't just a win; it was a chaotic, heart-stopping way to end a difficult 5-12 season.
Honestly, the game felt like a microcosm of the Browns' entire year. Frustrating? Yes. Ugly at times? Absolutely. But the ending was pure theater. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt, who had been a bit of a question mark since missing a crucial kick in Week 1, stepped up to the 49-yard line as the clock ticked toward zero.
He nailed it.
The ball sailed through the uprights, and Cleveland walked off with their second straight win to close out the 2025-26 campaign.
Breaking Down the Numbers: How the Browns Won
Most fans didn't expect a win. The Bengals outgained Cleveland 364 to 200 in total yardage. That’s usually a recipe for a blowout. However, the Browns' defense and special teams decided to turn the game into a highlight reel for the weird and the spectacular.
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In the first half, the Browns only managed 40 yards of offense. Forty. You've seen high school teams do better in a single drive. Yet, they led 14-12 at the break. How? Two massive defensive scores. First, defensive tackle Shelby Harris tipped a Joe Burrow pass that linebacker Devin Bush intercepted and took 97 yards to the house. Then, Jerome Baker forced a fumble that Sam Webb scooped up for another 47-yard touchdown.
It was defensive football at its most opportunistic.
Garrett’s Historic Moment
While the score was the headline, Myles Garrett was the story within the story. Coming into the game, everyone knew he was chasing history. He didn't disappoint.
With 4:44 left in the game, Garrett burst off the edge and dropped Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the season. That single play etched his name in the NFL record books, surpassing the single-season sack record. It's the kind of performance that reminds you why he’s a perennial All-Pro even when the team's record doesn't reflect his greatness.
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The Shedeur Sanders Factor
By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, the Browns were leaning on rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders to navigate the two-minute drill. After Ja'Marr Chase caught a 4-yard touchdown to give the Bengals an 18-17 lead with just 1:29 remaining, it looked like the typical "Same Old Browns" ending.
Sanders stayed remarkably cool.
He didn't throw for huge yardage—he finished with just 111 yards on 11-of-22 passing—but he made the throws that mattered. A 13-yard strike to Isaiah Bond on 3rd-and-10 kept the drive alive. Then, an 11-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy put Szmyt in range. It was a 10-play, 40-yard march that was more about poise than flashy stats.
A Quick Look at the Game Stats
- Final Score: Browns 20, Bengals 18
- Total Yards: Bengals 364, Browns 200
- Turnovers: Bengals 2, Browns 1
- Key Player: Myles Garrett (1 Sack, NFL Record 23 on the season)
- Winning Kick: Andre Szmyt (49 yards)
Why This Final Score Matters for 2026
You might think a 5-12 record is nothing to celebrate. In many ways, you're right. But winning the final two games of the season—including a gritty victory over a divisional rival—changes the "vibe" heading into the offseason.
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There are massive questions regarding the coaching staff and the future of the roster, but seeing the young talent like Sanders and Bond perform under pressure gives the front office something to build on. They aren't just looking at the final score; they're looking at the fact that this team didn't quit when they were 3-12.
Next Steps for Browns Fans
Now that the season is officially over, the focus shifts immediately to the 2026 NFL Draft and the recovery of key starters. To stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the Mock Drafts: With a 5-12 record, the Browns will have a high pick to address the offensive line or secondary depth.
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: Keep an eye on reports regarding Kevin Stefanski’s status and potential staff changes.
- Salary Cap Updates: Check how the team manages the contracts of veterans like Amari Cooper to see how much "win-now" room they actually have left.
The 20-18 victory in Cincinnati was a strange, beautiful way to cap off a roller-coaster year. It wasn't perfect, but for one Sunday in January, it was enough.