If you’re checking your phone and asking what is the score for the Bengals right now, on Sunday, January 18, 2026, the answer might actually sting a little. There is no score. The Cincinnati Bengals are officially in "vacation mode" while the rest of the NFL elite battles it out in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
While teams like the Chicago Bears and Houston Texans are hitting the turf today, the Bengals' season wrapped up two weeks ago. It was a bumpy ride that left fans with more questions than answers heading into the 2026 offseason.
The Final Score of the Season: Bengals vs. Browns
The last time we saw Joe Burrow and company on the field was Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium. It was a heartbreaker.
The final score was Cleveland Browns 20, Cincinnati Bengals 18.
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Honestly, the game was a microcosm of their entire year. It was messy. It was close. And in the end, it just wasn't enough. Ja'Marr Chase hauled in a 4-yard touchdown pass with only 1:29 left on the clock to give the Bengals an 18-17 lead. For a second there, "The Jungle" was electric. But then, the defense couldn't hold. Cleveland’s kicker, Andre Szmyt, nailed a 49-yard field goal as the clock hit zero. Game over. Season over.
How the 2025-2026 Season Fell Apart
Cincinnati finished the year with a 6-11 record. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
They actually started the season with some hope, beating the Browns in Week 1 and the Jaguars in Week 2. But then the wheels came off. They hit a brutal five-game losing streak through late September and October. You can’t drop games to the Vikings, Broncos, and Lions in a row and expect to be playing football in mid-January.
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There were bright spots, sure. Joe Burrow still put up numbers, throwing for 236 yards and three touchdowns in that final loss. Ja’Marr Chase was his usual elite self, but the consistency just wasn't there. The defense struggled to get stops when it mattered most, and the running game—despite Chase Brown's best efforts—often felt stagnant.
Why You Aren't Seeing a Bengals Score Today
The NFL playoffs are currently in the Divisional Round. Today's schedule looks like this:
- Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET)
- Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears (4:30 PM ET)
The Bengals aren't in that mix because they finished third in the AFC North, ahead of only the Browns. The Pittsburgh Steelers actually won the division this year, which is another reality Bengals fans are having to deal with this morning.
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What’s Next for the Bengals?
Since there isn't a game to watch today, the focus shifts entirely to the 2026 NFL Draft and free agency.
Cincinnati is sitting on the 10th overall pick in the upcoming draft. That’s prime real estate for a team that desperately needs to beef up its defensive line or perhaps add another weapon to the offensive arsenal. There’s already a lot of chatter about whether the front office will stick with the current coaching staff or if big changes are coming. Head coach Zac Taylor is under the microscope after a 6-win season, especially with the Browns already firing Kevin Stefanski earlier this month.
Basically, if you're looking for Bengals news today, you're looking for mock drafts and injury updates rather than live scores.
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans
- Check the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the 10th pick. With teams like the Chiefs also picking in the top 10 this year, the competition for elite talent will be fierce.
- Monitor Free Agency: The Bengals have some cap space to work with. Improving the offensive line remains a perpetual "must-do" for this team to keep Burrow upright.
- Watch the Divisional Games: If you need a team to root for (or against) today, the AFC matchup between the Texans and Patriots will determine who represents the conference in the next round.
The search for what is the score for the Bengals won't yield a live result until the preseason kicks off in August. For now, it’s about rebuilding and hoping the 2026-2027 season looks a lot more like 2021 than 2025.