If you’re refreshing your phone and asking whats the score of the bengals game, I have some tough news for you. There isn't a score to report today. Not for Joe Burrow and the crew, anyway.
While the NFL is currently in the thick of the Divisional Round of the playoffs—with the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos duking it out as we speak—the Cincinnati Bengals are already deep into their offseason plans. Their 2025-26 campaign wrapped up a couple of weeks ago on January 4th, and honestly, it wasn't the ending anyone in the 513 was hoping for.
The Final Score That Ended the Season
The last time the Bengals took the field was for their Week 18 season finale against the Cleveland Browns. It was a heartbreaking 20-18 loss at Paycor Stadium.
That game was a microcosm of their entire season: flashes of brilliance followed by gut-wrenching letdowns. Ja’Marr Chase caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Burrow with just over a minute left to give the Bengals an 18-17 lead. For a second there, it felt like they’d at least end a rough year on a high note.
But then the defense couldn't hold. Cleveland's rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders—who has been a major talking point all year—marched the Browns 40 yards in 10 plays. It ended with Andre Szmyt nails a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
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Game over. Season over.
The Bengals finished with a 6-11 record, placing them last in the AFC North.
Why There’s No Bengals Game Today (Jan 17, 2026)
If you're confused because you see "Bengals" in the news today, you’re likely seeing results from the college ranks. The Idaho State Bengals actually played a road game today against Eastern Washington.
In that matchup, the Idaho State Bengals won 66-57.
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But for the NFL team in Cincinnati, the "postseason" consists of exit interviews and draft prep. It’s a weird feeling for a fan base that got used to deep playoff runs and Super Bowl aspirations. Seeing teams like the Steelers and Ravens represent the AFC North in the playoffs while the Bengals sit at home is a bitter pill to swallow.
What went wrong this year?
It wasn't just one thing. It was a perfect storm of "not quite enough."
- The Myles Garrett Factor: In that final game, Myles Garrett broke the NFL single-season sack record by taking down Joe Burrow for his 23rd sack of the year. The offensive line struggled to protect #9 all season long.
- Division Brutality: The AFC North was a gauntlet. The Bengals went 1-1 against the Ravens and 1-1 against the Steelers, but those losses in the middle of the schedule (like the 34-12 blowout in Pittsburgh) eventually buried them.
- Inconsistency: They beat the Dolphins 45-21 and the Cardinals 37-14 in December, making everyone think a miracle run was possible. Then they’d turn around and lose a close one to the Browns.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
Since you can't check the whats the score of the bengals game for a live result, the next best thing is looking at what’s coming. The NFL has already confirmed the 2026 opponents.
Because the Bengals finished last in the division, they’ll actually have a "fourth-place schedule" next year. This could be the silver lining. They’ll face the usual AFC North suspects twice, but they also have home games lined up against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars.
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They’re currently slated to pick 10th overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.
That top-ten pick is a prime spot to grab a franchise tackle or a defensive playmaker to help Burrow. The front office has a lot of soul-searching to do, especially with roster questions surrounding the secondary and the depth at running back.
Where to find real-time updates next season
When the 2026 season kicks off in September, you'll want to keep these sources handy for the fastest scores:
- The Official Bengals App: Usually the fastest for play-by-play, though the commentary is obviously biased.
- ESPN & Yahoo Sports: Best for "Gamecast" views if you can't watch the broadcast.
- Local Radio: 700WLW is still the go-to for that hometown feel if you're driving through Ohio.
Actionable Steps for Bengals Fans
Since there’s no game to watch today, here is how you can stay plugged in during the long wait for training camp:
- Track the Draft Order: Keep an eye on the Divisional and Championship rounds. The final draft order for the top 18 teams is set, but the remaining spots depend on who wins the Super Bowl on February 8th at Levi's Stadium.
- Monitor Free Agency: The "legal tampering" period starts in March. This is where the Bengals historically have been quiet, but after a 6-11 season, expect them to be more aggressive in fixing that offensive line.
- Watch the Senior Bowl: Since Cincinnati picks at #10, the Senior Bowl (usually late January) is where you’ll see the prospects they are likely scouting to protect Joe Burrow.
The road back to the top of the AFC is long, but with a healthy Burrow and a top-ten pick, the "Who Dey" spirit isn't going anywhere. For now, we just have to watch the rest of the league finish what they started.