Another Week 1 loss.
The Cleveland Browns lost to in-state rivals Cincinnati Bengals in their 2025 season opener. That takes their Week 1 record to a measly three wins, one tie and 24 losses since reactivation in 1999.
With the final score 17-16, the Browns left points on the board in what was a disappointing loss.
Losing a game they should have won feels all too familiar in Cleveland.
A tale of two halves
After giving up 14 of the Bengals 17 points in the first half – including an opening drive touchdown – the Browns defense shut down one of the league’s best offenses in the second half of the game.
The Bengals offense put up 134 net yards in the first half. In the second half, that number was just seven net yards, including a dominant -18 yards in the fourth quarter.. That is not a spelling mistake.
For the Browns offense, the story was flipped. After scoring on two of their three first-half drives, and on their first drive out of the half, they began to collapse.
Two costly interceptions, a missed extra point and go-ahead field goal, a turnover on downs and a punt, all on their last five offensive drives.
Shooting yourself in the foot. Again. And again.
With the Browns’ dominant defensive performance in the second half, the offense just had to score points anyway they could to win the game.
They were able to score a potential game-tying touchdown, but kicker Andre Szmyt – who replaced Dustin Hopkins this offseason after his struggles last season – missed the extra point to keep the score 17-16.
This was followed by multiple offensive drives that were ended by dropped and bobbled passes, two of which resulted in interceptions.
Even after all the missed opportunities to score points, the Browns were able to get into field goal range and give their kicker a routine 37-yard kick to potentially win the game. But Szmyt missed for the second time in the game, costing the Browns three points and the lead with just over two minutes left.
The Cleveland Browns did everything they needed to do to win this game, yet they still lost.
On a positive note…
Despite the unfortunate ending and resulting loss, there were plenty of good things for Browns fans to take away from this game.
The defense held one of the league’s best quarterbacks to just 113 passing yards. The offense looked improved from last season. And the team’s 2025 rookie class provided the most excitement going forward.
Tight end Harrold Fannin Jr, who only turned 21 in July, featured all over the field and had multiple 15+ yard plays, finishing with seven receptions for 63 yards.
Running back Dylan Sampson also impressed and showed of his explosiveness with multiple chunk plays in the passing game. He managed just 29 rushing yards behind a struggling Browns run game, but caught all six of his targets for 64 receiving yards.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger was the star of the show, carrying his great performances from training camp and preseason into the regular season. Bearing the responsibility of wearing the green dot – a team’s defensive signal caller – in his debut, the rookie led all Browns players with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss.
Although this loss feels like a movie stuck on rewind for many Browns fans, there are plenty of positives to take moving forward. Onto Baltimore!
