Dawgs By Nature
The Cleveland Browns open the 2025 NFL season on Sunday when they host the Cincinnati Bengals.
After a summer quarterback battle that only had one realistic conclusion, the Browns will roll with Joe Flacco back at quarterback. No one knows how long Flacco will be running the offense with rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders on the roster, but for now, he is the man in charge.
There are no such questions in Cincinnati, where Joe Burrow is still throwing to Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, which will present a challenge to a Cleveland secondary that is a bit thin at cornerback.
Of course, the Browns still have Myles Garrett, the game’s unquestioned top defensive player, who is capable of ruining an offense on his own, as he has shown several times against the Bengals.
It is the Browns and Bengals to open the season, and here is everything you need to know about the game.
Records: Cleveland is 0-0. Cincinnati is 0-0.
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
Stadium: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, Ohio
TV: FOX
Announcers: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston and Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
Radio: 850 ESPN Cleveland, 92.3 The Fan WKRK, 98.5 WNCX, 1300 AM La Mega (Español)
Announcers: Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura and Jerod Cherry (sidelines)
Last meeting: The Bengals won the last meeting, 24-6, in Week 16 of the 2024 season.
First meeting: The Browns won the first meeting, 30-27, on October 11, 1970.
All-time series: The Bengals lead the all-time series, 55-48. The Browns are 6-1 against the Bengals in their last seven meetings in Cleveland.
Weather: 63 degrees and sunny. Winds from the West/Northwest at 13 mph. (weather.com)
Uniform: The Browns will be kitted out in their best uniform combination of brown jerseys and orange pants.
Injury report: Browns – Out: Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (knee). Bengals: No reported injuries.
The line: Browns +5.5, per FanDuel.
Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow had 43 touchdown passes in 2024.
The Browns started four quarterbacks in 2024, and they combined to throw 19 touchdown passes.
The Bengals are just 1-11 in the first two weeks of the season under head coach Zac Taylor. That lone win came in 2021.
The Browns are 5-5 in the first two weeks of the season under head coach Kevin Stefanski. Two of those wins have come against the Bengals.
This is the ninth time that the Browns have opened the season against the Bengals. The last time the Browns and Bengals met in the season opener was in 2023. In that game, Cleveland cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II helped hold Cincinnati wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to a combined five receptions for 39 yards.
The Week 1 Game Poster:
Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett has 13 sacks in 12 career games against the Bengals, with 10 of those against Burrow.
Cleveland quarterback Joe Flacco has 21 touchdown passes in 21 career games against...
