The Bengals swept the Browns in the "Battle of Ohio" during the 2024 season – and the first time since the 2017 season – as Cleveland lost to Cincinnati 24-6 in Week 16. With the loss, the Browns fall to 3-12 on the season.
"Ultimately, it's frustrating to come down here and not put ourselves in position like we should," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "As a team we just have to put ourselves in position to go win these things in the fourth quarter, and we're just putting ourselves behind the eight ball."
Here are three takeaways from the loss.
Browns offense bottled up by Bengals
After the Browns opened up the game with a 66-yard run by RB Jerome Ford, the Browns struggled to move the ball downfield. They finished the first half with 86 net yards. They had zero passing yards in the first half, and 20 yards following Ford's first explosive run of the game. The Browns also only converted 1 of 5 third down attempts and totaled just three first downs.
Cleveland was held scoreless in the first half, after a fumble in the red zone was recovered by the Bengals, and they were forced to punt on their four other offensive drives.
The Browns found some resurgence in the second half, as they scored their first points of the game on a 4-yard run by Ford in the third quarter. They put together a successful offensive drive, earning multiple first downs that helped them move down the field. Then a 29-yard catch and run by TE David Njoku put the Browns deep in the red zone and set up the touchdown by Ford. They totaled 107 net yards in the third quarter.
"Jerome continues to make big plays for us, both in the pass game and the run game," Stefanski said. "I thought he made a really unbelievable play there on the scramble when Dorian is going to his left and he went up and got the ball. So, he continues to give us a spark."
But the struggles returned in the fourth quarter, as Cleveland marched down the field to start the fourth quarter down to the red zone, but back-to-back holding calls pushed them back. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson fumbled on a run but recovered the fumble. Then, as he looked to connect in the end zone, Thompson-Robinson's pass was picked off in the end zone. It was the second red-zone turnover on the day.
"I think it really comes down to me, my thought process, my mentality," Thompson-Robinson said. "When we get down there, obviously we want to end with points. And so, I got to do a lot better job of protecting the ball in those situations – whether it's taking the sack, and we're forced to take a field goal, or throw the ball away."
The Browns had four turnovers in the fourth quarter on the two interceptions and two turnovers on downs. They converted only 3 of 12 third down attempts throughout the game. Stefanski said the Bengals were able to apply pressure and emphasized the importance of taking care of the football.
In Thompson-Robinson's first game as the starting quarterback, he was sacked a total of five times and threw a total of two interceptions throughout the game. He completed 20 of 34 passing attempts for 157 yards. He finished with a passer rating of 45.8. Thompson-Robinson knows the importance of protecting the ball and preventing the turnovers.
"It wasn't a good day. I know we had good moments, but good moments don't win football games," Thompson-Robinson said. "Good moments are not the definition of a quarterback. A quarterback is there to play a complete full game and to lead his team to victory. I did not do that today."
Play-by-play action shots from the Cleveland Browns' Week 16 NFL game vs. the Cincinnati Bengals
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) and Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) and Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) and Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Mike Ford Jr. (31) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Jowon Briggs (97) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) and Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) and Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Nathaniel Watson (40) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end Jordan Akins (88) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) during a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Myles Garrett surpasses 100 career sacks
DE Myles Garrett hit a career milestone in Week 16 when he sacked QB Joe Burrow late in the second quarter. He recorded his 100.5 career sack, becoming the 45th player to do so in NFL history since 1982. Garrett also is the first player since 1982 to have 100 career sacks prior to his 29th birthday. Garrett turns 29 on Dec. 29.
"It makes my dad proud. That's what it means to me," Garrett said. "He's been telling me to do it for the last three weeks. Happy to get that one for him."
As Garrett beat G Cody Ford, he ran towards Burrow and wrapped him up for the sack, recording his 12th sack of the season, as well as his 100.5 career sack. Garrett finished the day with three tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit and two tackles for loss.
Garret joins an elite list of players to record 100 sacks in his first eight seasons. That list includes Reggie White (124), DeMarcus Ware (111), Jared Allen (105) and TJ Watt (104 after Week 12 – 109th career game).
Garrett also joined Lawrence Taylor as the only NFL players to record five consecutive seasons with at least 12 sacks.
"That's great company to be with," Garrett said. "Definitely one of the guys that I looked up to as an athlete and as football player coming up along the way. Still watch clips and watch his tenacity on the edge. That's a nice accomplishment."
Check out photos of players warming up for a game against the Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) and Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Isaiah McGuire (57) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The stadium before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The locker room before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver James Proche II (11) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Long snapper Rex Sunahara (50) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) and Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) . Offensive guard Germain Ifedi (65), and Offensive tackle Geron Christian (72) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Tight end David Njoku (85) and Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back D'Onta Foreman (27) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive tackle Jack Conklin (78) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Michael Woods II (81) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) and Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Cameron Mitchell (29) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Grant Delpit (9) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Wyatt Teller (77) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
The Defense before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (54) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Rodney McLeod Jr. (12) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson (94) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Pierre Strong Jr. (20) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Elijah Moore (8) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Bailey Zappe (2) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Offensive guard Michael Dunn (68) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety Juan Thornhill (1) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Safety D'Anthony Bell (37) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (23) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) before a NFL football game between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals on December 22, 2024 at Paycor Stadium.
Browns defense struggles to limit Bengals offense
With the offensive struggles to stay on the field, the Browns defense was on the field for extended periods of the game.
They gave up a total of six explosive plays beginning in the first quarter. Cincinnati totaled four runs for 10 or more yards and two passes for 20 or more yards. On the Bengals' first touchdown drive of the game, they had three consecutive explosive plays before QB Joe Burrow found WR Tee Higgins for a 2-yard touchdown.
Then, in the final two minutes, Burrow connected with WR Ja'Marr Chase for a 32-yard touchdown pass to seal the game. Burrow finished the game completing 23 of 30 passing attempts for 252 yards and three touchdowns. He did not throw an interception and finished the game with a 134.3 passer rating.
Yet, the Browns were also able to generate pressure on Burrow. Alongside Garrett's sack, S Grant Delpit also brought down Burrow in the third quarter, and DT Mike Hall Jr. reached Burrow for the sack as the Browns defense bottled him up in the fourth quarter. Then late in the fourth quarter, DE Isaiah McGuire forced the strip sack on Burrow, and DT Jowon Briggs recovered the fumble to give the ball back to their offense.
They forced the Bengals to punt four times over the course of the game and held them to converting 4 of 11 third down conversion attempts.
"I thought Myles and the defense kept swinging," Stefanski said. "Obviously some good moments out there taking the ball away close to the goal line. Appreciate how we're fighting. Appreciate how Myles is continuing to get after the passers and disrupting the pass game."
