Bengals vs Cleveland Browns Match Player Stats 2026

The rivalry between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns is one of the most intriguing matchups in the AFC North. This article dives deep into their recent games, especially the Bengals vs Cleveland matchups in the 2025–2026 season, examining individual performances, team player statistics, strategic insights, and broader implications. NFL fans, analysts, and statisticians will find a comprehensive look at how key players compared on the field.

The Bengals and Browns have a long history of closely contested games and contrasting team identities — with Cincinnati’s pass‑heavy offense often clashing with Cleveland’s physical, defensive approach. Recent matchups have continued this trend, producing tight games, standout individual performances, and statistical matchups worthy of exploration.

Let’s break down the player stats, game context, individual performances, and what they mean for both franchises.

Overview of Recent Matchups

Bengals vs Browns — Week 18, January 4, 2026

One of the most recent meetings between the two teams came in Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season. In that game, the Cleveland Browns defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 20–18, a contest decided in the final moments. (ESPN)

This was not just a simple late‑season game — it featured:

• A dramatic defensive swing,
• Special teams deciding the outcome,
• And key individual contributions from both offenses and defenses. (Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland’s victory came thanks to:

• Defensive scoring,
• A field goal that hit at the very end of regulation,
• And a notable performance from Myles Garrett, who set an NFL single‑season sack record in that contest. (Cleveland Browns)

Though the game didn’t have playoff implications (both teams missed the postseason), it offered a showcase of skill position battles, strategic tendencies, and statistical highlights.

We’ll explore the stats from this and other matchups to give a full picture of how players performed.

Individual Player Stats Breakdown

Below is a close look at the key individual performances from the most recent 2025–2026 Bengals vs Browns matchup.

Quarterback Stats

Bengals QB — Joe Burrow

In the Week 18 Jan 4, 2026 matchup:

• Burrow was pressured consistently, limiting Cincinnati’s offensive rhythm. (ESPN)
• While Burrow accounted for the Bengals’ lone passing production, he wasn’t able to make enough big plays downfield.

Browns QB — Shedeur Sanders

Shedeur Sanders’ stat line in that game:

• 11 completions on 22 attempts
• 111 passing yards
• No touchdowns or interceptions (Cincinnati Bengals)

The Browns offense used a balanced mix of rush and screens to keep Cincinnati off‑balance.

Rushing Leaders

Browns Rushing Leaders

• D. Sampson: 10 carries for 32 yards
• R. Sanders: 5 carries for 26 yards
• S. Sanders: 3 carries for 26 yards
• Additional backs contributed yardage to help sustain drives. (Cincinnati Bengals)

The Browns mixed rushing looks but never quite broke open explosive plays.

Bengals Rushing Leaders

• Chase Brown: 21 carries for 43 yards
• Joe Burrow: 2 carries for 3 yards (ESPN.com)

Brown’s involvement on the ground helped keep the chains moving and gave Burrow some clean pocket time.

Receiving Leaders

The receiving corps for both teams were active, though not explosive:

• Bengals receivers such as Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase (notably later in the season) continued to be focal points of the passing offense in other games, even if this specific game had limited yardage in the passing game itself. (Reuters)

On the Browns side, multiple receivers contributed — including:

• Cedric Tillman and others — though none registered huge yardage totals in this contest. (Cincinnati Bengals)

Defensive Impact Players

A standout in the Week 18 match:

• Myles Garrett — set a single‑season NFL sack record with his performance that extended his league lead and earned accolades. (Cleveland Browns)

Cleveland’s defense played well enough to keep Cincinnati from pulling away late — forcing tough down‑and‑distance situations and setting up favorable field positions.

Defensive player contributions were key, even outside of traditional tackles and sacks. The Browns created a pivotal momentum shift with a long defensive score early — a 97‑yard interception return that swung the scoreline. (ESPN)

Supplemental Stats From Other Meetings

To further understand trends between these teams, it helps to consider other Bengals vs Browns meetings, including a September 7, 2025 game:

Week 1 — September 7, 2025

In that matchup:

• Cincinnati Bengals won 17–16.
• Joe Flacco (then with the Browns in that context) passed for 290 yards, 1 TD, and 2 INTs. (Cleveland Browns)
• Myles Garrett recorded two sacks despite the loss, highlighting his continued dominance. (Cleveland Browns)

This demonstrates consistent defensive pressure from Cleveland and offensive resilience from Cincinnati — though it’s worth noting that Flacco has had varying success historically against the Bengals. (Sports Betting Dime)

Additional data from recent historical matchups (e.g., 2024 and 2023 games) shows varying offensive dynamics, with Cincinnati typically leaning on Burrow and the passing game, while Cleveland relies more evenly on the run and defense. (Cincinnati Bengals)

Key Performance Analyses

Passing Game Efficiency

Across all recent meetings:

• Cincinnati has generally favored a pass‑first approach, leveraging elite talent at QB and wide receiver positions. (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Cleveland’s defense — featuring Myles Garrett — has consistently applied pressure and forced turnovers that have challenged opposing passing attacks. (Cleveland Browns)

These contrasting styles make for statistically intriguing matchups, especially when analyzing completion percentages, interception rates, and sack totals.

Rushing Production

While Cincinnati leans passing, their ground game often plays a supporting role:

• Players like Chase Brown help move the chains and limit defensive blitz impact. (ESPN.com)

Cleveland’s run game features depth and multiple contributors — but like Cincinnati, doesn’t always produce explosive gains.

Defensive Disruption

Cleveland’s defense has been a defining element in recent matchups:

• The Browns pressured the Bengals consistently.
• Garrett’s record highlight performance underscored Cleveland’s pass‑rush prowess — a key statistical advantage. (Cleveland Browns)

Pressure affects passer rating, sack totals, and completion efficiency — giving the Browns measurable defensive edge in several statistical categories.

What the Stats Say About Team Trends

The player stats from Bengals vs Browns games across recent seasons tell several larger stories:

Bengals Offensive Patterns

• Consistent passing focus led by quarterbacks Joe Burrow and Joe Flacco in different contexts. (Sports Betting Dime)
• Key wide receivers such as Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins have been go‑to weapons, both reaching high target and yardage counts in the season. (Reuters)

Browns Defensive Strength

• Myles Garrett has been a force, applying relentless pressure and contributing high sack totals. (Cleveland Browns)
• Cleveland’s defensive schemes often create turnovers, evidenced by interception returns for touchdowns. (ESPN)

Player Development

• Over time, players show growth, such as Tee Higgins earning his first Pro Bowl nod — indicating his consistent involvement and production in the offense. (Reuters)

Historical Head‑to‑Head Stats

Although this article focuses mainly on recent games, past matchups also illustrate long‑term trends:

• In games prior to 2025, Cincinnati held the edge in several contests, including a 24–6 victory in December 2024 where Joe Burrow threw for multiple touchdowns and Ja’Marr Chase set a franchise receiving record. (Cincinnati Bengals)
• Historical data shows that the Bengals typically generate high passing yardage compared to Cleveland’s more balanced approach. (Cincinnati Bengals)

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: Who had more passing yards in the most recent Bengals vs Browns game?

In the Week 18, January 4, 2026 game, Shedeur Sanders (Browns) totaled 111 passing yards, and Joe Burrow (Bengals) had modest production as well, but neither posted huge totals. (Cincinnati Bengals)

Q2: Which player set a notable record in their matchup?

Myles Garrett set the NFL single‑season sack record during the most recent matchup — a major defensive achievement. (Cleveland Browns)

Q3: Who are the top offensive weapons in this rivalry?

From the Bengals:

• Joe Burrow (QB)
• Ja’Marr Chase (WR)
• Tee Higgins (WR)

From the Browns:

• Shedeur Sanders (QB)
• Cedric Tillman (WR/RB receiving involvement)
• Multiple running backs contributing yardage in rotation.

Q4: How does the rushing game compare between the teams?

Both teams use their ground games situationally. The Browns’ backfield features multiple contributors, while Cincinnati leans on Chase Brown and occasional QB runs.

Q5: Has Cincinnati historically dominated this rivalry?

Historically, Cincinnati has often held the edge in regular‑season meetings, but recent contests remain closely fought and competitive.

Conclusion

The Bengals vs Cleveland Browns rivalry is a compelling microcosm of contrasting NFL philosophies — Cincinnati’s pass‑centric, explosive offense versus Cleveland’s rugged, defense‑oriented identity. Recent statistics from their 2025–2026 matchups reinforce these trends:

• Defensive impact matters — Browns defenders like Myles Garrett can shift games with disruptive plays.
• Quarterback play drives outcomes — Burrow’s and Sanders’ performances pivotally influence their offenses.
• Player production fluctuates by game, but standout individuals consistently shape match outcomes.

The detailed stats above show the interplay of passing efficiency, rushing contributions, and defensive disruption — illuminating how these AFC North rivals match up on the field. As both franchises continue evolving, future Bengals vs Browns games will offer even more material for statistical analysis and fan excitement.

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