If you woke up looking for a final score from a Bengals game yesterday, January 13, 2026, I've got some cold water to pour on that search. The Cincinnati Bengals did not play a game yesterday.
In fact, the Bengals didn't play this past weekend at all. While the NFL world was buzzing with Wild Card playoff matchups like the Houston Texans routing the Steelers or the Rams squeaking past the Panthers, Joe Burrow and company were already back in Cincinnati (or perhaps on a beach somewhere) starting their offseason.
The reality of the situation is a bit grim for fans in the Queen City. The Bengals finished their 2025-2026 campaign on January 4, 2026. They missed the playoffs entirely. So, while you might be seeing headlines about "The Bengals" or "the game yesterday," those are likely referring to college hoops or just the general vacuum left by a team that underperformed its massive expectations.
What Really Happened with the Bengals Game (and the Season)
To understand why there was no game yesterday, we have to look at the train wreck that was the season finale. On Sunday, January 4, the Bengals hosted the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium. It was a game they should have won. Honestly, it was a game they needed for pride, even if their playoff hopes had already flickered out.
They lost. 20-18.
It was a weird, frustrating afternoon of football. Joe Burrow threw three touchdown passes—one to Chase Brown, one to Tee Higgins, and a late 4-yarder to Ja'Marr Chase that actually gave Cincinnati an 18-17 lead with only 89 seconds left on the clock. You've seen this movie before, right? The Bengals take a late lead, the stadium gets loud, and then the defense just... evaporates.
Shedeur Sanders, the Browns' rookie sensation, marched Cleveland 40 yards in 10 plays. With no time left, Andre Szmyt nailed a 49-yard field goal to ruin Cincinnati’s year for good. It left the Bengals with a 6-11 record. That is a far cry from the Super Bowl contenders we expected back in August.
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Why the Bengals Missed the Postseason
There’s no single reason a team goes 6-11, but a few things stand out. Kinda hard to ignore the kicking game, for starters. Evan McPherson, usually the "Money Mac" of the Midwest, missed two extra points in that final game against Cleveland. In a two-point loss, that is the entire game right there.
Then you have the defensive lapses. The Browns didn't even score an offensive touchdown until the final field goal. Their two touchdowns came on a 97-yard pick-six by Devin Bush and a 47-yard fumble return by Sam Webb. Basically, the Bengals' offense gave away 14 points.
- Final Record: 6-11
- Division Standing: 3rd in the AFC North
- Draft Position: 9th Overall Pick
While you were looking for who won the bengals game yesterday, the rest of the AFC North was busy. The Steelers made the playoffs at 10-7 but got smoked by Houston 30-6 on Monday night. The Ravens finished 8-9. The Browns, despite beating Cincy twice, finished 5-12 and are currently deciding if they’re keeping Kevin Stefanski.
The Misconception: Was there a different "Bengals" game?
Sometimes the confusion comes from the college ranks. The Idaho State Bengals actually have been active. They have a big game against the Idaho Vandals on Thursday, January 15. If you saw a score ticker yesterday, it might have been related to the Big Sky Conference or perhaps some lingering news about the NFL playoff bracket that—unfortunately—doesn't include Cincinnati.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
The "Who won the Bengals game yesterday" question won't have a positive answer for several months. The team is now looking toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Holding the No. 9 overall pick, the front office has to decide if they are going to fix the offensive line (again) or find some secondary help that can actually stop a rookie quarterback from moving the ball 40 yards in a minute.
If you’re a fan, the next date to circle isn't on a game calendar. It’s the scouting combine and the start of free agency in March. Joe Burrow is healthy, which is the only real silver lining, but the roster around him needs a massive facelift if they want to be playing games in mid-January next year.
Your next steps as a fan:
Watch the NFL Divisional Round this coming Saturday, January 17, to see how the top teams in the AFC (like the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots) are building their rosters. Keep an eye on the mock drafts starting to circulate now that the Bengals' pick at No. 9 is locked in.