The energy at Paycor Stadium was electric, then suddenly, it just wasn't. If you’re looking for who won the Cincinnati Bengals game, the answer is a tough pill for the Who Dey nation to swallow. The Cleveland Browns walked away with a 20-18 victory on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
It was a wild, messy, and ultimately devastating season finale. For a game between two teams already eliminated from the playoffs, it had way more drama than it probably deserved. You had records falling, a rookie kicker finding redemption, and a lead that changed hands in the final seconds. Basically, it was peak AFC North football.
What Really Happened With the Bengals vs Browns Finale
Most people expected this to be a "meaningless" game. Wrong. For the Bengals, it was about finishing a disappointing 6-11 season with some dignity. For Myles Garrett and the Browns, it was about history.
Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt drilled a 49-yard field goal as time expired. Boom. Game over. Bengals lose. This was especially poetic—or tragic, depending on your jersey color—because Szmyt had been the goat (the bad kind) in the season opener when he missed kicks that handed the Bengals a Week 1 win. This time, he didn't blink.
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The Bengals actually took the lead with only 1:29 left on the clock. Joe Burrow connected with Ja'Marr Chase for a 4-yard touchdown, making it 18-17. Honestly, everyone in the stadium thought that was the dagger. But Shedeur Sanders, the Browns' young signal-caller, managed a 10-play, 40-yard drive in just over a minute.
Myles Garrett Makes History at Joe Burrow's Expense
We can't talk about who won the Cincinnati Bengals game without talking about Myles Garrett. He came into this game needing one sack to break the NFL single-season record. He got it.
With about four minutes left in the fourth quarter, Garrett blew past the line and dropped Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss. That was sack number 23. He now stands alone above Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Burrow, ever the warrior, took the hit, but you could tell that constant pressure was the story of the game. Cincinnati's offensive line looked like a revolving door at times.
Why the Bengals Couldn't Secure the Win
It wasn't just the final drive that sunk the Bengals. They left points all over the field. Evan McPherson, usually "Money" Mac, had a nightmare day. He had an extra point blocked in the first quarter and missed another one later. In a two-point loss, those are the literal difference-makers.
The Bengals' defense actually played pretty well, holding Cleveland to only 200 total yards. How do you lose a game when you outgain the opponent 364 to 200? Short answer: turnovers and special teams.
- Devin Bush Jr. intercepted Burrow in the first quarter and took it 97 yards for a touchdown.
- Sam Webb returned a Bengals fumble 47 yards for another defensive touchdown.
- Two defensive scores for Cleveland.
That’s essentially 14 points handed to the Browns without their offense doing a single thing. You've gotta protect the ball, especially in divisional games where the margin for error is basically zero.
Individual Brilliance in a Losing Effort
Despite the loss, Ja'Marr Chase cemented his legacy. He hauled in 8 catches for 96 yards and that late touchdown. He officially passed Tyler Boyd for fourth on the Bengals' all-time receptions list. He’s also the only player in league history to hit 80+ catches and 1,000+ yards in each of his first five seasons.
Chase Brown also hit a massive milestone. With 72 yards on the ground, he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first season in his career. Seeing him develop into a true RB1 has been one of the few bright spots of this 2025-2026 campaign.
The KEYWORD Reality: What This Means for 2026
So, who won the Cincinnati Bengals game? The scoreboard says the Browns, but the real winner might be the draft status. By falling to 6-11, the Bengals are looking at a much higher pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The biggest takeaway here is the state of the offensive line. Burrow was sacked twice, but he was hit and hurried constantly. You can't have your franchise QB running for his life in Week 18 of a losing season. Zac Taylor is going to face some incredibly hard questions this offseason about the protection schemes and the defensive consistency.
They finished 3rd in the AFC North, ahead of the Browns (5-12) but well behind the Steelers and Ravens. It's a long way from the Super Bowl run a few years back.
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Actionable Next Steps for Bengals Fans
- Watch the Draft Order: Keep a close eye on the final league standings. The Bengals are in a prime position to snag a top-tier tackle or defensive playmaker.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Joe Burrow took some big hits in this finale. Updates on his physical status heading into the offseason will be crucial.
- Review Free Agency Targets: With several veterans likely on their way out, the Bengals have significant cap space to rebuild the trenches.
- Follow the Coordinator Carousel: Rumors are swirling about potential changes to the defensive staff after a season where the unit ranked near the bottom of the league in several categories.
The 2025 season is officially in the books. It ended with a whimper at Paycor Stadium, but the foundation with Burrow, Chase, and Higgins remains. The question is whether the front office can finally build a wall around them.