The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns squared off in a dramatic Week 18 showdown on January 4, 2026, at Paycor Stadium, bringing the curtain down on the 2025 NFL regular season. For both teams, the stakes were high—if not for playoff berths, then for pride, records, and futures. The Bengals, looking to secure their third straight win and end the year on a positive note, faced a Browns squad hungry for answers and milestones. With the Browns sitting at 4-12 and the Bengals at 6-10 entering the contest, fans and analysts alike wondered: Would this be the game that defined new directions for both franchises?
One of the most compelling storylines was the ongoing audition of Shedeur Sanders, who started his seventh consecutive game at quarterback for Cleveland. With questions swirling about the Browns’ plans for 2026, Sanders needed a big performance to stake his claim as the long-term answer under center. As reported, "Shedeur Sanders was starting his seventh consecutive game as the Browns' quarterback and was auditioning to be the Browns' starter for the 2026 season." For Sanders, this was more than just a finale—it was a high-pressure job interview played out on the gridiron.
On the other side, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, despite an injury-marred campaign, looked healthy and determined to finish strong. The Bengals' offense, though inconsistent throughout the year, showed flashes of brilliance—particularly when Burrow found his groove. According to game reports, Burrow "marched the Bengals down the field and Chase caught the go-ahead touchdown; however, the Bengals missed the two-point conversion attempt." The connection between Burrow and his receivers, including Tee Higgins and Chase Brown, kept the Bengals in contention despite some costly mistakes.
But the spotlight was perhaps brightest on Browns defensive end Myles Garrett. Entering the game, Garrett was within striking distance of the NFL single-season sack record, and fans tuned in with hopes of witnessing history. As detailed in the live updates, "the Browns superstar makes NFL history" during a crucial Bengals drive. While the specifics of the record weren’t immediately clear in the reporting, the buzz around Garrett’s pursuit added an electric atmosphere to the proceedings.
The game itself was a see-saw battle marked by defensive heroics, special teams drama, and coaching decisions that will be scrutinized all offseason. The Browns struck first with a methodical 12-play, 56-yard drive that chewed up seven minutes of clock and ended with a field goal by Andre Szmyt. The Bengals’ defense, struggling to get off the field, surrendered a key fourth-down conversion on that march—an early sign of the Browns’ determination to control the tempo.
Yet, the Bengals responded in kind. Burrow, showing poise in the pocket, engineered a scoring drive capped by a touchdown pass to Tee Higgins. However, the extra point attempt by Evan McPherson was missed—a recurring theme that would haunt Cincinnati throughout the afternoon. Special teams miscues, including another tipped and missed McPherson extra-point attempt after a Burrow-to-Chase Brown touchdown, kept the scoreline tighter than it might have been.
The Browns’ defense, meanwhile, delivered two game-changing plays. First, Noah Fant forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown, giving Cleveland their second defensive score of the day. The defense struck again when a Burrow pass, tipped at the line of scrimmage, was intercepted and returned 97 yards for a touchdown. These opportunistic plays underscored the Browns’ ability to capitalize on mistakes—a trait that kept them in the hunt even as their offense sputtered at times.
Not all the drama unfolded on the field. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor faced criticism for a conservative decision, electing to punt on a fourth-and-inches from midfield despite trailing late in the game. In a season finale where many expected boldness, the choice to punt drew groans from the Cincinnati faithful and raised questions about the team’s approach to crunch-time situations.
The game was widely accessible for fans, airing locally on CBS (WKRC) with Tom McCarthy, Logan Ryan, and Amanda Balionis on the call. For those outside the broadcast area, streaming options abounded—Paramount+, NFL Sunday Ticket, and NFL Game Pass International all carried the contest. Radio listeners could tune in on the Bengals Radio Network or SiriusXM Channel 226, ensuring that no fan had to miss a snap.
Odds-makers had installed the Bengals as heavy favorites, with BetMGM listing Cincinnati at -360 on the moneyline and the Browns at +290. The spread was set at Bengals -7.5, and the over/under at 44.5 points, reflecting the expectation of a moderately high-scoring affair. Expert predictions mostly leaned toward a Bengals victory, with one panelist noting, "Bengals 21, Browns 10: You can tell me this game is going to go any number of different ways and I'd believe you." Still, the Browns’ penchant for defensive scores and the X-factor of Garrett’s record chase kept things unpredictable.
For the Browns, this game also marked a potential turning point for head coach Kevin Stefanski. With rumors swirling about his job security, the outcome—and the performance of his team—could weigh heavily on his future in Cleveland. As one expert put it, "Kevin Stefanski's coaching career in Cleveland was potentially on the line depending on the outcome of the game." The uncertainty surrounding the coaching staff, combined with the quarterback audition and Garrett’s pursuit of history, made this more than just another season finale.
Beyond the field, the matchup highlighted the ever-evolving landscape of NFL broadcasting and streaming. Fans were reminded of the dizzying array of options—from traditional TV and radio, to Paramount+, DirecTV, Fubo Sports, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, NFL+, and ESPN’s new streaming platforms. For those looking to catch every snap, the choices (and costs) have never been greater.
As the final whistle approached, the Bengals and Browns had traded blows, defensive stands, and highlight-reel moments. While the season ends here for both teams, the questions linger: Will Shedeur Sanders get the nod as Cleveland’s starter in 2026? Did Myles Garrett cement his legacy with a record-breaking performance? And will Zac Taylor and Kevin Stefanski return to lead their respective teams next fall?
No matter the answers, fans in Cincinnati and Cleveland can agree—this Week 18 clash delivered the drama, history, and uncertainty that make the NFL’s final Sunday so captivating. As both franchises turn the page to the offseason, new narratives are sure to emerge from the lessons and legacies forged in this hard-fought finale.