The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns during Week 16 of the NFL season on Sunday at Paycor Stadium. The victory marked the Bengals' first season sweep of the Browns since Cleveland's winless 2017 season, and it was accompanied by significant performances from key players.
The game saw Dorian Thompson-Robinson make his first start for the Browns, but his performance was marred by mistakes, including two fourth-quarter interceptions. Thompson-Robinson completed 20 of 34 passes for 157 yards, with two interceptions and was sacked five times. The young quarterback's efforts were overshadowed by his team's inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities, including failed drives inside the Bengals' 10-yard line.
On the other side, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow put on a stellar performance. He completed 23 of 30 passes for 252 yards and threw three touchdown passes, earning him a passer rating of 134.3. Burrow's leadership was evident as he connected with star receiver Ja'Marr Chase for the final touchdown of the game, sealing the Bengals' victory.
Despite the scoreline, it was the Browns' running back Jerome Ford who showcased potential early on, recording 77 rushing yards, including a 66-yard burst on Cleveland's opening play. His momentum, unfortunately, was not enough to shift the tide for the Browns.
The game remained scoreless until Burrow found receiver Tee Higgins for the first touchdown on Cincinnati’s opening drive, showcasing the Bengals' offensive capabilities right away. Burrow’s ability to scramble and make innovative throws was highlighted when he threw touchdown passes from awkward positions. One such moment saw him throw parallel to the ground for Higgins’ touchdown catch, exhibiting Burrow's knack for creating plays under pressure.
The Bengals' opening scoring drive culminated with Burrow's 1-yard pass to Higgins, followed shortly by Andrei Iosivas, who scored on another short pass from Burrow as Cincinnati built up their lead to 14-0.
After scoring 17 unanswered points by halftime, the Bengals appeared to be in full control. Kicker Cade York also made waves by connecting on a career-long 59-yard field goal, solidifying Cincinnati's momentum and concluding the half with the score at 17-0.
Myles Garrett, the star Browns defensive end, achieved his 100th career sack during the game, an impressive feat accomplished within just 115 games. Although it was a personal milestone, it came during what was otherwise tough sledding for the Browns defensively against the Bengals' high-powered offense.
The second half saw slight improvements from the Browns, highlighted by Ford’s 4-yard touchdown run, but it came too late as they still faced significant challenges with missed PAT attempts and turnovers hampering their chance to claw back. Notably, Ford's touchdown managed to close the gap, but it was quickly overshadowed by another interception thrown by Thompson-Robinson, this time to Bengal's Jordan Battle, which thwarted any genuine threat of comeback.
With this win, the Bengals improved to 7-8, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. They needed to win their last two games to have any chance at reaching the postseason, dependent on the outcomes of several key matchups involving competing teams. Coach Zac Taylor expressed optimism about the future but emphasized the importance of consistency as they move through the homestretch of the season.
The game outcome also served as another reminder of the struggles faced by the Browns, who saw their record drop to 3-12. With only two games remaining, the future of the franchise remains uncertain, especially as the viability of the current roster and coaching staff will be under scrutiny moving forward.
Fans witnessed the intense rivalry between the Bengals and Browns continue, with this edition of the Battle of Ohio living up to its reputation for fierce competition. The victory allows the Bengals to maintain hope for the postseason, reflecting the highs and lows of the NFL season as they push forward to their next matchup against the Denver Broncos.
The Bengals will now face the Broncos next week at home, seeking to navigate the challenging playoff picture, which demands not just victories but also favorable outcomes from other teams as they work to secure their postseason berth. The backdrop of need for help from rivals amplifies the stakes as Cincinnati aims to make the most of their remaining games.
