The lights at Paycor Stadium finally dimmed on a season most fans in Cincinnati would probably rather forget. If you're looking for a live score right now on January 16, 2026, the news is a bit of a gut punch. There isn't a game happening today. The Bengals are already at home, their lockers cleared out, and the playoffs are moving on without them.
It's a weird feeling. Usually, by mid-January, we're talking about Joe Burrow’s postseason "smoking a cigar" clips or figuring out who we play in the AFC Championship. Not this time. The Bengals finished the 2025-2026 regular season with a 6-11 record, leaving them dead last in the AFC North standings and well outside the Wild Card picture.
The Finale: Bengals vs Browns Recap
The answer to who's winning the bengals game was decided in the very last seconds of their season finale back on January 4, 2026. It was a classic, albeit painful, Battle of Ohio. Cincinnati was leading 18-17 after a 4-yard touchdown strike from Joe Burrow to Ja'Marr Chase with only 1:29 left on the clock. It felt like they might actually end the year on a high note.
Then Shedeur Sanders happened.
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The Browns' rookie quarterback—who has been a massive story all year—orchestrated a clinical 10-play, 40-yard drive. It ended with Andre Szmyt drilling a 49-yard field goal as the clock hit zero. Browns won 20-18.
The most historic part of that game? Myles Garrett. He sacked Burrow at midfield with about four minutes left in the game. That single play gave him 23 sacks on the year, officially breaking the NFL single-season record previously held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. It was a milestone moment for Garrett, but for Bengals fans, it was just the final insult to a season that never really got its legs underneath it.
Why the Bengals Missed the 2026 Playoffs
Looking at the 6-11 record, you have to wonder what went wrong. Honestly, the offense wasn't even the biggest problem. Burrow was still Burrow. He went 29 of 39 for 236 yards and three touchdowns in that final game against Cleveland. The guy still has the "it" factor.
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But the defense? It was a sieve.
Statistically, the Bengals' defense ended the season ranked near the bottom of the league in almost every meaningful category. They allowed 147.1 rushing yards per game—dead last in the NFL. You can’t win games in the AFC North if you can’t stop the run. When every divisional opponent knows they can just hand the ball off and pick up five yards at will, your quarterback has to be perfect every single drive. Joe is good, but no one is that good.
Key Stats from the 2025-2026 Campaign
- Final Record: 6-11 (3rd in AFC North)
- Passing Offense: Ranked 7th in the league (Joe Burrow is still elite).
- Rushing Defense: Ranked 32nd (The primary reason for the losing record).
- Turnover Margin: 0 (They gave away exactly as much as they took).
Who's Winning the Bengals Game Off-Season?
Since the season is over, the "game" has moved to the front office. Zac Taylor is staying put for now, but the pressure is massive. He’s entering his eighth season in 2026, and the "Super Bowl window" talk is starting to feel a little stale to a fan base that just watched their team lose 11 games.
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Ownership has already started making moves. They’ve confirmed the 2026 opponents, and it’s not going to be an easy road back. Because they finished third in the division, they’ll be facing the Kansas City Chiefs at home and the Miami Dolphins on the road as part of the "equal standing" schedule formula.
There's also some wild chatter about the trade market. With the defense being such a liability, rumors are swirling that the Bengals might get aggressive. Some analysts, like the folks over at Stripe Hype, have floated the idea of a blockbuster trade for a veteran pass rusher—someone like Maxx Crosby—to help Trey Hendrickson. Hendrickson is a beast, but he’s basically been a one-man army on that defensive line.
What’s Next for Cincinnati?
The 2026 NFL Draft is going to be the biggest event for this team in years. Picking at 10th overall, Duke Tobin and the scouting department have a clear directive: find a defensive playmaker who can start on Day 1. Whether that's a disruptive interior lineman or a lockdown corner, the status quo isn't working.
If you’re a fan looking for a silver lining, it’s Ja’Marr Chase. Even in a "down" year for the team, he’s still rewriting the record books. He’s currently sitting at 520 career catches and 6,837 yards. He’s on pace to pass franchise legends like Carl Pickens and Isaac Curtis by next season.
Basically, the talent is there. The "who's winning" question right now isn't about a scoreboard; it's about whether the front office can build a defense that doesn't waste the prime years of the best quarterback-receiver duo in franchise history.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Wild Card Round: The rest of the AFC North is busy. The Steelers are hosting the Texans this weekend. Watching how Pittsburgh’s defense operates might give you a good idea of what the Bengals are missing.
- Monitor the Franchise Tag: Keep an eye on the news regarding Trey Hendrickson. If the Bengals don't slap the tag on him or get a long-term deal done, the 2026 defense will be in even worse shape.
- Check the 2026 Home Opponents: If you're planning on going to a game next fall, start looking at the schedule. The Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Chiefs, Jaguars, Titans, Saints, and Bucs are all slated to play at Paycor Stadium.