Cleveland Browns' Defense Roars, But Bengals Slip Away with Victory

The Cleveland Browns opened their 2025 season at Huntington Bank Field with a narrow 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The game left the Browns with a record of 0-1, while the Bengals improved to 1-0. Despite an impressive defensive performance by the Dawg Pound, it was not enough to secure a win.

First Quarter

The opening quarter saw both teams testing each other's defenses. The Browns' defense set an early tone, forcing three-and-outs on multiple occasions. Myles Garrett was instrumental in this effort, recording two sacks and three quarterback hits throughout the game. However, neither team managed to score in this period.

Second Quarter

As the second quarter unfolded, Joe Flacco led the Brownies downfield with precision passing but faced challenges from Cincinnati's defense. Flacco completed 31 of his 45 attempts for a total of 290 yards and one touchdown but also threw two interceptions that proved costly for Cleveland's momentum.

Third Quarter

In the third quarter, Isaiah McGuire added pressure on Cincinnati's offense by contributing one sack and two quarterback hits. Meanwhile, Raheim Sanders found success on a short-yardage play for Cleveland’s only rushing touchdown of the game.

Fourth Quarter

The final quarter saw heightened intensity as both teams vied for control. Corey Bojorquez executed strategic punts averaging nearly 49 yards per attempt to pin back Cincinnati’s offense effectively. Despite these efforts and Greg Newsome II defending two passes successfully, Cincinnati managed to edge ahead thanks to their efficient red zone execution.

In post-game thoughts Cleveland Browns fans might reflect on how close they came against their division rivals despite some setbacks in execution during key moments of play.

Looking ahead after this post-game analysis: The Cleveland Browns are scheduled to face off against Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on September 14th at 1:00 PM EDT; fans can catch all action live via CBS broadcast network coverage! Share your thoughts about this matchup!