5 keys to Cincinnati Bengals beating the Cleveland Browns

5 keys to Cincinnati Bengals beating the Cleveland Browns
Cincy Jungle Cincy Jungle

Here we are in Week 18 with no hope of seeing a Cincinnati Bengals playoff game, but the season isn’t over yet.

Here is how they can beat the Cleveland Browns.

Fundamentals

This is the last game of the season for both teams, and many players on both sidelines will not be around next season.

But now is not the time to think about all that. This is a time to go out and execute at a very basic level. The team that is focused and disciplined enough to execute their techniques, play in and play out, will win this one.

Fun

This is the last time this group will ever compete together, so there is no reason not to cut loose and have a little fun.

No, they can’t throw the ball to Cody Ford every week, but they need to find joy in this game in order to come out on top.

Eliminate Hope

The Browns are feeling pretty good about themselves after knocking off the Steelers a week ago. They need to be reminded of who they are and promptly notified that this isn’t last week.

Get a lead. Grow the lead. Eliminate hope.

Build Confidence

Over the last few weeks, this team has gone out and gotten the job done. Sure, the opponents weren’t the best, but they still came out with double-digit wins. They played complete games of complementary football where the offense, defense, and special teams all stepped up and supported one another.

This season did not go as planned, but the way they end it could have an impact on how they look in 2026.

They need to build confidence in each other and in the mission to carry into the offseason.

For the Love of God, Keep Joe Burrow Healthy

The last thing we need is for Joe Burrow to have another complicated offseason.

Get in, do what you need to do, and let Joe Flacco finish it.