If you're refreshing your phone looking to see who's winning the Cincinnati Bengals game right now, I've got some bad news. There isn't a game happening today. As of January 16, 2026, the Bengals are already deep into their offseason, and honestly, it’s probably for the best given how that last game ended.
They finished their season on January 4th with a heartbreaker against the Cleveland Browns. It was a mess. 20-18. That was the final score at Paycor Stadium, and it effectively put a lid on a season most fans in the Queen City would rather delete from their memory banks.
The Last Stand: Who Won the Bengals Game?
Cleveland won. But "won" feels like a weird word for a game between two teams that were basically fighting for draft position at that point. The Bengals ended the year with a dismal 6-11 record.
The ending was pure chaos. Ja'Marr Chase caught a 4-yard touchdown with about 90 seconds left on the clock. It felt like one of those classic Joe Burrow "Houdini" moments where he pulls a win out of thin air. The Bengals took an 18-17 lead. The stadium was actually loud for a second.
Then Shedeur Sanders—yeah, the rookie—marched the Browns 40 yards down the field in ten plays. Andre Szmyt, a kicker who had missed an extra point against Cincy earlier in the year, nailed a 49-yarder as the clock hit zero. Game over. Season over.
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Why the Bengals Aren't Playing Today
While the Buffalo Bills are getting ready to face the Denver Broncos and the Texans are preping for the Patriots in the Divisional Round this weekend, Cincinnati players are probably golfing or scrolling through Zillow. They missed the playoffs for the third year in a row.
It's a tough pill to swallow. You’ve got Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase, yet the team finished third in the AFC North.
What went wrong in the finale?
- Self-inflicted wounds: Burrow himself called the performance "not high-level football."
- The Kicking Game: Usually reliable Evan McPherson missed two extra points. In a two-point loss, that’s the whole game right there.
- Defensive Meltdowns: The Browns actually scored both of their touchdowns on defense. Devin Bush had a massive 97-yard pick-six.
Myles Garrett also decided to make history at the Bengals' expense that day. He sacked Burrow in the fourth quarter to hit 23 sacks on the season, breaking the NFL single-season record. It was a historic moment, but for Bengals fans, it was just another reminder of how much the offensive line struggled to keep #9 upright.
Looking Back at a Weird 2025 Season
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster that mostly stayed on the downhill part. They started 2-0 with wins over Cleveland and Jacksonville, and people were already booking Super Bowl flights. Then the wheels came off. They lost four straight.
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They had a weird spark on Thanksgiving when they upset the Ravens 32-14, but that was basically the last gasp of air. By the time they hit December, the defense was ranked 32nd in the league. Dead last. You can't win in the NFL when your defense is a revolving door, even if Burrow is throwing for 300 yards.
The Silver Linings (If You Can Find Them)
Chase Brown actually had a decent year. He crossed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career during that final Browns game. Ja'Marr Chase was, well, Ja'Marr Chase. He earned another All-Pro nod.
But the reality is the Bengals are watching the playoffs from the couch. The "Who Dey" chant has been quiet for a couple of weeks now.
What Happens Next for Cincinnati?
The focus has already shifted to the 2026 NFL Draft. Since they finished 6-11, they're looking at a top-10 pick. They need defensive help. Specifically, they need someone who can stop a nosebleed, because the secondary was shredded all year.
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Zac Taylor is under a massive microscope right now. Three straight years without a playoff appearance when you have a generational quarterback is a dangerous place to be.
If you're looking for football to watch this weekend, you’ll have to look toward the AFC powerhouses that actually made the cut. The Bengals are done until the preseason kicks off in August.
Next Steps for Bengals Fans:
Check the updated 2026 NFL Draft order to see exactly where the Bengals will pick. Keep an eye on the defensive coordinator search; that’s going to be the biggest indicator of whether next year will be any different.