If you were looking for the Cleveland Browns on your TV screen over the last few days, you probably noticed a distinct lack of orange helmets and Dawg Pound barking. That’s because the Browns’ season officially wrapped up on January 4, 2026.
They didn't play anyone "last week" in the literal sense of the last seven days. Instead, they’ve been home in Cleveland, starting an offseason that began with a massive coaching shakeup and a look toward the NFL Draft.
But if you’re asking about their most recent time on the field, the answer is the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Browns vs. Bengals Season Finale Recap
The Cleveland Browns played the Cincinnati Bengals in their Week 18 finale at Paycor Stadium. It was a game that basically had no playoff implications for either side, yet it ended up being one of the most statistically wild games of the entire 2025-2026 season.
Cleveland managed to scrape out a 20-18 victory over their cross-state rivals. It was ugly. It was gritty. It was quintessential AFC North football. Honestly, looking at the box score, you’d wonder how the Browns even won. The Bengals dominated almost every statistical category, outgaining Cleveland 364 to 200 in total yardage. Cincinnati had 24 first downs compared to Cleveland’s 11.
So, how did they pull it off? Defense and a historic individual performance.
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Myles Garrett Makes History
The biggest headline wasn’t even the win itself. It was Myles Garrett.
Coming into the game, everyone knew Garrett was chasing the single-season sack record. He didn't disappoint. With 4:09 left in the fourth quarter, Garrett brought down Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss. That was his 23rd sack of the season.
"I was like, 'Well, we've got to deny fate.' Whatever it is we've got to make it happen," Garrett said after the game.
By hitting that 23-sack mark, Garrett officially bypassed the record of 22.5 previously shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. It’s the kind of individual accolade that provides a silver lining to a season that was otherwise pretty disappointing for the Browns, who finished 5-12.
Defensive Touchdowns and a Walk-Off Kick
Cleveland’s offense, led by rookie Shedeur Sanders, struggled for much of the day. Sanders threw for just 111 yards. However, the defense decided to take matters into their own hands—literally.
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- Devin Bush intercepted Joe Burrow and returned it 97 yards for a touchdown.
- Sam Webb recovered a fumble and took it 47 yards to the house.
It is incredibly rare to see a team score two defensive touchdowns and almost nothing on offense, yet still win. But that's the 2025 Browns for you.
The game came down to the final seconds. After Ja'Marr Chase caught a touchdown to put the Bengals up 18-17 with only 1:29 left, Sanders finally found some rhythm. He orchestrated a 10-play, 40-yard drive that set up kicker Andre Szmyt. Szmyt, who had been a bit shaky earlier in the year, drilled a 49-yard field goal as the clock hit zero.
What Happened After the Game?
The victory over Cincinnati was the last time the Browns were on the field, but the real fireworks happened the next morning. On January 5, 2026, the Browns officially fired head coach Kevin Stefanski.
It’s a move that split the fanbase. Stefanski had two playoff appearances in six years, but a 5-12 finish in 2025 was the final straw for the Haslam family. Currently, the team is in the middle of a coaching search while also eyeing their draft position.
Because of the way the season ended, the Browns are locked into the No. 6 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They also hold the No. 24 pick, which they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a massive trade last year.
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Looking Forward: Who Is Next?
While the Browns didn't play last week, their 2026 opponents are already set. Since they finished last in the AFC North, they’ll play a "last-place schedule" next year, which honestly looks pretty manageable on paper.
- Divisional Foes: The usual home-and-away series with the Ravens, Bengals, and Steelers.
- AFC South & NFC South: They'll face the likes of the Texans, Colts, Falcons, and Panthers.
- The "Last Place" Games: They have matchups scheduled against the New York Jets and the New York Giants.
The NFL won't release the actual dates and times for these games until the spring, but the road to redemption starts with finding a new head coach who can maximize the talent of Shedeur Sanders and keep Myles Garrett's historic defense playing at an elite level.
If you’re a Browns fan, the "last week" was actually a week of scouting at the Hula Bowl and watching playoff games from the couch. It’s not where the team wanted to be, but with two first-round picks in the bank, the "Wait Till Next Year" mantra is already in full swing in Northeast Ohio.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine in February. This is where the Browns will likely narrow down their choice for that 6th overall pick, whether they decide to grab a blue-chip offensive tackle to protect Sanders or add another weapon to the receiving corps.