Even though the Bengals have been officially eliminated from 2025 playoff contention, they’ve been putting up quite the performances the past couple of weeks. In Cincinnati’s dominating wins over the the Dolphins and Cardinals the past two weeks, Joe Burrow and the offense has put up a combined 82 points, while allowing only 35.
The last game of the 2025 season pits the Bengals against the Browns at Paycor Stadium. Cleveland has seen a little bit of life with Shedeur Sanders placed into the lineup at quarterback, taking the Bills to the wire a 23-20 loss in Week 16, and then grabbing an ugly, but impressive win against the Steelers on Sunday.
Cincinnati has historically had some issues with unfamiliar and/or their first time seeing a rookie quarterback (as well as with Myles Garrett), but Burrow and the offense has been a buzzsaw of late. Which team will end the season on a high note?
Game Details
Matchup: Cleveland Browns @ Cincinnati Bengals
Week: 18 of the 2025 NFL regular season
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026
Kickoff Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET) — confirmed by the league.
Location: Paycor Stadium — Cincinnati, OH (home of the Bengals)
TV Broadcast (U.S.)
National TV:
- CBS will broadcast the game nationally in the United States.
Local TV (Cincinnati / Cincinnati region):
- In the Bengals home market, WKRC-TV (CBS 12) and other local CBS affiliates will carry the game.
International TV:
- In some international markets, NFL Game Pass and other local partners carry live NFL games (details vary by country).
Radio Broadcast
Local Radio Networks:
- Cincinnati Bengals Radio Network:
- Flagship stations include WLW-AM (700), WCKY-AM (1530), and WEBN-FM (102.7).
- Dan Hoard (play-by-play) and Dave Lapham (analyst) handle the broadcast.
- Cleveland Browns Radio Network:
- Stations across Ohio, West Virginia, and surrounding states carry the game.
- Andrew Siciliano (play-by-play), Nathan Zegura (analyst), and Je’Rod Cherry (sideline) are typical voices.
National Radio:
- SiriusXM NFL Radio and Westwood One may also provide a national audio feed.
Projected Weather (Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati)
Weather this time of year in Cincinnati is typically cold and wintery:
- Temperatures: Likely near or just above freezing (~30–40 °F / ~0–5 °C).
- Conditions: Expect chilly temperatures with a chance of cloudy skies and breezy conditions in early January (exact forecast will be reliable closer to game day).
- Precipitation Chance: Relatively low but winter precipitation (flurries or rain) is possible.
Other Info
Cleveland Browns SB Nation Site: Dawgs By Nature
Tickets: Some limited options are still available
Odds: Fanduel currently has the Bengals at 7.5-point favorites at home
Predictions
Arizona Central: Bengals 24, Browns 16
Sportsnaut: Browns 14, Bengals 21
Cincy Jungle:
On paper and based on their past couple of performances against other struggling teams, Cincinnati should have a realtively-comfortable win on Sunday. Burrow and the offense, with its full complement of stars available, have provided problems for Miami and Arizona, respectively. Burrow used nine receivers against the Cardinals Sunday, so he’s seeing the field and utilizing his trademark ad-lib ability well.
However, the Browns have been a headache for Cincinnati in the Burrow era. Garrett has been basically unstoppable and any semblance of competent quarterback play by Cleveland has made some of these games tenuous. The Bengals have won the last four against the Browns, but Cleveland was 6-1 in the “Battle of Ohio” from 2020-2023.
Sanders’ spark to Cleveland should make this one more interesting than the last few matchups, as both teams are “playing for pride” in the final game of the season. Even so, Burrow and Co. appear to be having fun again, even if Garrett pours the occasional bucket of cold water on the party.
Browns 20, Bengals 28
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