The AFC North concludes the 2025 NFL regular season with a Week 18 clash between two teams out of playoff contention, but not lacking in rivalry intensity. The Browns, plagued by injuries and inconsistencies, aim to end a dismal year on a high note, while the Bengals seek to build momentum for the offseason with a win at home. This matchup highlights defensive stars like Myles Garrett chasing history against Joe Burrow’s offense, in a series known for close, hard-fought battles.
Venue Location
Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio. This outdoor venue, formerly Paul Brown Stadium, opened in 2000 and holds about 65,515 fans. It’s situated along the Ohio River and features modern amenities, including a Bengals-themed Hall of Fame.
Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. PT).
Broadcast: CBS: Tom McCarthy, Logan Ryan, Amanda Balionis (field reporter)
Local broadcasts on WKYC in Cleveland and WKRC in Cincinnati.
Streaming options include Paramount+ and NFL+ for subscribers.
Weather Updates
As an outdoor stadium, weather could play a factor. Forecasts for Cincinnati on January 4 predict daytime highs around 50°F with nighttime lows near 36°F, a 25% chance of precipitation, and winds up to 13 mph from the west. Conditions are expected to be partly cloudy, potentially impacting passing games if winds gust higher.
No major storms are anticipated, but monitor for updates closer to kickoff.
Injury Report
Both squads are dealing with significant ailments heading into the finale, which could lead to rested starters or elevated backups in a meaningless game for standings.
Cleveland Browns Injuries:
G Wyatt Teller: Out (calf; placed on IR, ending his season).
S Grant Delpit: Questionable (Achilles).
DT Mason Graham: Questionable (ribs).
TE Harold Fannin Jr.: Questionable (groin; not ruled out).
LB Carson Schwesigner: DNP (quad/ankle).
G Teven Jenkins: DNP (undisclosed).
Others: QB Deshaun Watson remains out (Achilles), with Shedeur Sanders starting.
The Browns have 10+ players on the report, thinning their lines.
Cincinnati Bengals Injuries:
RB Chase Brown: DNP (ankle; status uncertain for finale).
DE Joseph Ossai: DNP (ankle).
WR Charlie Jones: Questionable (ankle).
DT B.J. Hill: DNP (ankle).
CB Josh Newton: Questionable (hamstring).
C Matt Lee: Out (knee).
DE Shemar Stewart: Status TBD (undisclosed).
Seven players are monitored, with ankle issues prominent.
Player Matchups
Key battles could decide this game’s tempo, especially with injuries forcing adjustments.
Browns DE Myles Garrett vs. Bengals O-Line: Garrett, one sack shy of the single-season record, faces a Bengals front missing potential starters. Cincinnati ranks 25th in sacks allowed (48), giving Garrett a shot at history.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow vs. Browns Secondary: Burrow (3,800+ yards) tests a Cleveland pass D ranked 22nd (225.6 YPG allowed). With Delpit questionable, expect targets to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Browns RB Raheim Sanders vs. Bengals Run Defense: Sanders steps up if backups are needed, against a Cincinnati unit allowing 128.4 rushing YPG (26th). Hill’s absence could open lanes.
Bengals WRs vs. Browns CBs: Chase and Higgins could exploit Cleveland’s injury-hit secondary, but wind might favor underneath routes.
Both sit at the bottom of the AFC North, with Cincinnati one game ahead.
Recent Team Forms
The Browns have limped to the finish, going 1-4 in their last 5, with their lone win a 13-6 defensive struggle over the Steelers in Week 17. Offense averages just 16.2 PPG (31st), hampered by QB instability and injuries.
The Bengals are 3-2 in their last 5, showing late-season fight with wins over divisional foes. They average 24.8 PPG (12th), led by Burrow, but defense has allowed 26+ points in losses.
Series History
The “Battle of Ohio” dates to 1970, with the Bengals leading 56-48 all-time. Cincinnati has won 7 straight from 2014-2017, while Cleveland took 7 in a row from 1992-1995. Largest margins: Bengals 37-3 (2015), Browns 34-0 (1987). In the last 10 meetings, it’s split 5-5, with Bengals winning the 2025 Week 1 matchup 17-16.
Betting Trends
Bengals: 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS in last 5; 4-4 ATS at home; strong vs. AFC North (4-2 ATS).
Browns: 1-4 SU last 5; 5-11 ATS overall; unders in 10 of 16 games.
Head-to-Head: Bengals cover in 6 of last 10; totals under in 7 of last 10 rivalry games.
BROWNS NOTES:
• QB SHEDEUR SANDERS (rookie) completed 17 of 23 atts. (73.9 pct.) for 186 yards & TD in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd in row with 65+ comp. pct. & TD pass. • RB RAHEIM SANDERS (rookie) had 31 scrimmage yards (21 rush, 10 rec.) last week. Aims for his 3rd in row with 30+ scrimmage yards. • RB DYLAN SAMPSON (rookie) rushed for 27 yards in Week 17. Had 93 scrimmage yards (64 rec., 29 rush) in Week 1 meeting. • WR JERRY JEUDY had 5 catches for 54 yards last week. Had 5 catches for 66 yards in Week 1 meeting. • WR CEDRIC TILLMAN had 42 rec. yards in Week 17. Has 40+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4 vs. division. Had 5 catches for 52 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • TE HAROLD FANNIN had TD catch last week. Leads rookies in receptions (72) & ranks 4th in rec. yards (731) in 2025. Has TD catch in 4 of his past 5. Had 7 catches for 63 yards in Week 1 meeting. • LB CARSON SCHWESINGER had 9 tackles in Week 17. Leads rookies in tackles (146) & TFL (11) in 2025. Has 10+ tackles in 6 of his past 7. Had 8 tackles & TFL in Week 1 meeting. • LB DEVIN BUSH had 9 tackles, TFL & FF last week. Has 9+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. Had 7 tackles, TFL & PD in Week 1 meeting. • LB JEROME BAKER had 5 tackles & TFL in Week 17. • DT MASON GRAHAM (rookie) had 6 tackles & TFL last week. Has TFL & PD in 2 of his past 3 on road. • DE ALEX WRIGHT had 3 tackles, 2 TFL & sack in Week 17. Aims for his 4th in row with half sack. • CB DENZEL WARD had PD last week. Has PD in 4 of his 5 games vs. division this season, incl. in Week 1 meeting. • CB TYSON CAMPBELL had 4 tackles, 2 PD & TFL in Week 17. • S GRANT DELPIT had 8 tackles, sack & FF last week.
BENGALS NOTES:
• QB JOE BURROW completed 24 of 31 atts. (77.4 pct.) for 305 yards & 2 TDs with 129.1 rating in Week 17. Became 3rd player ever with 300+ pass yards in 25+ games (25) in 1st 6 seasons. Aims for his 3rd in row with 75+ comp. pct., 305+ pass yards, 2+ TD passes & 125+ rating. Completed 14 of 23 atts. (60.9 pct.) for 113 yards & TD in Week 1 meeting. • RB CHASE BROWN led team with 141 scrimmage yards (101 rush, 40 rec.) & had 2 rush TDs last week. Has 2+ scrimmage TDs in 3 of his past 4. Aims for his 7th in row at home with 90+ scrimmage yards. Had 51 scrimmage yards (43 rush, 8 rec.) & rush TD in Week 1 meeting. • RB SAMAJE PERINE had rush TD in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd in row with rush TD. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 7 catches for 60 yards & 2 TDs last week. Is 1 of 2 (HOFer Randy Moss) all-time with 7+ rec. TDs in each of 1st 5 seasons. Is 1 of 6 all-time with 13+ games (13) with 2+ rec. TDs in 1st 5 seasons. Surpassed Andre Rison (52) for 5th-most rec. TDs by WR in 1st 5 seasons. Ranks 3rd in NFL in receptions (117) & 4th in rec. yards (1,316) in 2025. Aims for his 6th in row with 5+ catches. • WR TEE HIGGINS had 59 rec. yards in Week 17. Ranks tied-5th in NFL in rec. TDs (10) this season. Aims for his 4th in row with 50+ rec. yards. • LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT had 5 tackles last week. Ranks 2nd among rookies in tackles (103) in 2025. Has 5+ tackles in 5 of his past 6. Had 10 tackles & PD in Week 1 meeting. • DE SHEMAR STEWART (rookie) had 1st-career sack in Week 17. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • DE MYLES MURPHY had 6 tackles & sack last week. Aims for his 4th in row with TFL. • CB DAX HILL had 3 PD in Week 17. Has PD in 6 of his past 7. Had 9 tackles in Week 1 meeting.
Game Odds
Cleveland Browns 44.5
Cincinnati Bengals – 7.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, January 3, 2026
