The 2025 NFL season kicks off in the AFC North with a familiar rivalry as the Cleveland Browns square off against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first Battle of Ohio.
Cleveland limps into the new campaign after a brutal 3-14 finish last year, a season marred by inconsistent quarterback play, a poorly executed offensive scheme, and a defense that wore down while trying to mask the team’s offensive shortcomings.
On the other side, Cincinnati turned what looked like a lost season into a respectable 9-8 finish. The Bengals stumbled to a 4-8 record early, but caught fire down the stretch with five straight victories, narrowly missing the postseason. Still, sluggish starts have been a recurring theme for Cincinnati in recent years, dating back to their 2023 opener.
| Date | Sunday, September 7, 2025 |
| Time | 1:00 pm ET / 12:00 pm CT/ 10:00 am PT |
| Venue | Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland, Ohio) |
| TV Channel | FOX |
| Streaming | Fubo |
| Buy Tickets | Stubhub |
| Odds | +188 (Browns) | -132 (Bengals) |
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals roster & injury news
Cleveland Browns team news
For Cleveland, the storyline is whether veteran quarterback Joe Flacco, at 40 years old, can exploit those cracks. To do so, he’ll need strong showings from wideout Jerry Jeudy and tight end David Njoku—two players who could be the difference between hanging close and being left behind on the scoreboard.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel, Shedeur Sanders (QB); Jerome Ford, Dylan Sampson, Raheim Sanders (RB); Isaiah Bond, DeAndre Carter, Jerry Jeudy, Gage Larvadain, Jamari Thrash, Cedric Tillman (WR); Harold Fannin Jr., David Njoku, Blake Whiteheart (TE); Ethan Pocic, Luke Wypler (C); Joel Bitonio, Teven Jenkins, Wyatt Teller, Zak Zinter (G); Jack Conklin, Dawand Jones, KT Leveston, Cornelius Lucas (OT) |
| Defense | Myles Garrett, Adin Huntington, Isaiah McGuire, Cameron Thomas, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, Alex Wright (DE); Maliek Collins, Mason Graham, Mike Hall Jr., Shelby Harris (DT); Jerome Baker, Devin Bush, Mohamoud Diabate, Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Carson Schwesinger (LB); Jarrick Bernard-Converse, Myles Harden, Cameron Mitchell, Greg Newsome II, Denzel Ward (CB); Grant Delpit, Ronnie Hickman, Rayshawn Jenkins, Damontae Kazee, Donovan McMillon (S) |
| Special Teams | Andre Szmyt (PK), Corey Bojorquez (P), Rex Sunahara (LS) |
Cincinnati Bengals team news
Cincinnati has the firepower to hit the ground running in Week 1, with Joe Burrow orchestrating an explosive attack that features triple-crown winner Ja’Marr Chase and his running mate Tee Higgins, widely regarded as one of the top secondary receivers in football.
Defensively, though, the Bengals still carry some baggage. Even with sack king Trey Hendrickson back after inking a new deal, questions linger about whether this unit can hold up against divisional opponents.
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Offense | Jake Browning, Joe Burrow (QB); Tahj Brooks, Chase Brown, Samaje Perine (RB); Jermaine Burton, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Charlie Jones, Mitchell Tinsley (WR); Noah Fant, Mike Gesicki, Cam Grandy, Tanner Hudson, Drew Sample (TE); Ted Karras, Matt Lee (C); Dylan Fairchild, Cody Ford, Lucas Patrick, Dalton Risner (G); Orlando Brown Jr., Amarius Mims, Jalen Rivers (OT) |
| Defense | Trey Hendrickson, Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai, Cam Sample, Shemar Stewart (DE); Howard Cross III, B.J. Hill, McKinnley Jackson, Kris Jenkins Jr., T.J. Slaton Jr. (DT); Oren Burks, Barrett Carter, Shaka Heyward, Demetrius Knight Jr., Logan Wilson (LB); Dax Hill, DJ Ivey, Josh Newton, Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner II, Marco Wilson (CB); Tycen Anderson, Jordan Battle, PJ Jules, Geno Stone (S) |
| Special Teams | Evan McPherson (PK), Ryan Rehkow (P), William Wagner (LS) |
Browns vs Bengals head-to-head record
Historically, the “Battle of Ohio” has been tightly contested, with the two sides meeting 103 times. The Bengals currently hold a slight upper hand, winning 55 of those clashes, while the Browns have come out on top in 48.
Which channel is Browns vs Bengals game on?
The Washington Commanders vs New York Giants game in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season will air live nationally on FOX in the US. Fans will be able to catch the coverage onFubo (Try for free today!).
More details on where to watch the game in the United States, including streaming options, will be released soon, so keep an eye out for our dedicated coverage.
For fans outside the U.S. looking to stay plugged into the action,NFL Game Pass on DAZN is the ultimate ticket. It serves up more than 200 regular-season and playoff matchups, complete Super Bowl coverage, plus access to NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and plenty more to keep you locked in all year long.
How to buy Browns vs Bengals ticket
Tickets are already up for grabs on StubHub, with entry starting at $386. From there, prices climb through the tiers — $300, $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900, $1,000, and stretching all the way into the premium ranges of $2,000, $3,000, $4,000, $5,000, $6,000, and topping out at $10,406 for the best seats in the house.
Check the link below for the full breakdown of how to purchase tickets to NFL games.
READ MORE: NFL 2025 Tickets: Prices, deals, season tickets & membership information
Browns vs Bengals Fantasy Football
Joe Burrow did everything he could to prop up a Bengals team with a shaky defense last season, pacing the league in completions (460), attempts (652), passing yards (4,918), and touchdowns through the air (43).
Yes, those gaudy numbers were padded by the constant shootouts Cincinnati found itself in, but beneath the surface, Burrow showed real growth in his overall game.
Heading into 2025, he's locked in as a fantasy QB1, though his ultimate ceiling carries a few mild question marks. The Browns’ offense might not pack enough firepower to truly test this Bengals defense, and it’s worth noting Cincinnati’s offense has a history of sluggish starts to open a season.
WR Ja'Marr Chase is a must-start elite WR1 with high target shares and touchdown upside, while Tee Higgins also boasts solid WR2 fantasy potential due to consistent production.
Tight end David Njoku is a key red-zone target and should be started as a tight end option with moderate upside. The Browns’ running back situation is dynamic; Jerome Ford is the current starter but could face competition from Dylan Sampson, who offers upside as a change-of-pace back. Caution is warranted until the backfield role solidifies.
Fantasy Takeaways:
- Prioritize Bengals QB Joe Burrow (21 projected fpts for Week 1) and WR Ja'Marr Chase (14.2 projected fpts for Week 1) as top fantasy starters.
- Start Bengals WR Tee Higgins (10.2 fpts) and RB Joe Mixon () in solid WR2 and RB2 roles.
- Target Browns TE David Njoku (6.4 fpts)for red-zone upside.
- Monitor Browns RB situation for Sampson's potential breakout alongside Jerome Ford.
Browns vs Bengals Game Predictions
ESPN's matchup predictor gives Cincinnati the edge in Week 1, projecting the Bengals with a 65.2% chance to claim victory, while Cleveland sits at 34.5%, with the slim remainder left for the possibility of a tie.
Browns vs Bengals Odds
Spread: Browns +5.5 (-115), Bengals -5.5 (-105)
Total: 47.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
Moneyline: +188 (Browns) | -132 (Bengals)
More NFL news and coverage
- Browns 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- Bengals 2025 NFL schedule: TV channel, livestream & where to watch the games
- How to watch and live stream NFL football for free and without cable
- 2025 fantasy football rankings: Running back (RB) | Wide receiver (WR) | Tight end (TE) | Quarterback (QB)