The Browns fell to 3-12 on the season after losing 24-6 to the Bengals in Week 16.
While DE Myles Garrett achieved a career milestone, QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled to get the Browns offense rolling in the first half as the Bengals built a halftime lead that proved too much to overcome.
Their Week 16 loss marks the second time the Browns have lost to the Bengals this year, resulting in the Bengals' first season sweep of the Browns since the 2017 season.
Here are 10 key numbers from the Browns' loss to the Bengals.
1 – The Browns defense finished with one takeaway against the Bengals. DE Isaiah McGuire sacked QB Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter, forcing the ball out. Rookie DT Jowon Briggs dove on the loose ball to secure the first fumble recovery of his career.
2 – Thompson-Robinson threw two interceptions in his first start of the 2024 season. His first came in the red zone on a pass intended for TE David Njoku in the fourth quarter. His second came on the following drive on a deep pass intended for Njoku.
3 – Cleveland's offense struggled on third down, converting just three of their 12 third down conversion attempts. Their lack of success on third down forced them to punt four consecutive times in the first half as the Bengals built a 17-0 lead.
5 – Thompson-Robinson faced pressure from the Bengals pass rush throughout the game, taking five sacks for a total loss of 32 yards. Three of his sacks came during the Browns' final two drives of the game, both of which resulted in a turnover on downs.
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.
6 – The Browns defense allowed six explosive plays to the Bengals. Cincinnati had 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 generated three straight explosive plays before Burrow found WR Tee Higgins for a 2-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Burrow found WR Ja'Marr Chase for a 32-yard touchdown to extend the Bengals' lead.
41 – The Browns committed five penalties for a net loss of 41 yards. Two of the Browns' penalties came after they had entered the red zone on the second drive of the second half. An offensive holding penalty called against TE Jordan Akins negated a touchdown run from Thompson-Robinson and an additional offensive holding called against WR Jamari Thrash pushed the Browns out of the red zone. Thompson-Robinson ended the drive with an interception.
66 – Njoku led the Browns with 66 receiving yards on eight receptions. Njoku now has 505 receiving yards this season, marking his third consecutive season with 500 or more receiving yards.
92 – RB Jerome Ford continued to show his explosiveness, finishing with 11 carries for 92 rushing yards and a touchdown. On the first play of the game, Ford took off for a 66-yard gain before the Browns turned the ball over in the red zone later in the drive. His four-yard rushing touchdown came on the Browns' opening drive of the second half. Ford added five receptions for 39 yards.
100.5 – Garrett eclipsed 100 career sacks with his second quarter sack of Burrow in Week 16. With 100.5 sacks in his eight-year career, Garrett is the youngest player in NFL history to reach 100 or more career sacks.
148 – The Browns' 148 rushing yards in Week 16 was their most in a single game in the 2024 season. In addition to Ford's 92 rushing yards, Thompson-Robinson added nine carries for 49 yards, RB Pierre Strong Jr. had two carries for 6 yards and RB D'Onta Foreman totaled two carries for 1 yard. The Browns' previous season-high of 139 rushing yards came in Week 15 against the Chiefs.
