Bengals 17–16 Browns: Score, Stats & Recap | Week 1, 2025

Q: How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

J. Flacco (Cleveland Browns), 58.5% completion, +2.4% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.92 total passing EPA. J. Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 48.3% completion, -1.9% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.54 total passing EPA.

Q: Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

D. Sampson (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.00 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps.

Quick answer

Winner: Cincinnati Bengals
Final score: Cincinnati Bengals 17–16 Cleveland Browns
Halftime: Cincinnati Bengals 14–10 Cleveland Browns at halftime
FantasyHQ MVP: Dylan Sampson
Top passer: Joe Flacco
Biggest EPA play: (1:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short left intended for 19-C.Tillman INTERCEP…
Game date: 2025-09-07

Game summary

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 17–16 on 2025-09-07. Dylan Sampson posted a game-high +5.00 total EPA in the receiving.

The highest-scoring period was Q2 with 17 combined points.

Line score

Final score and points by quarter.

	Q1	Q2	Q3	—	—	T
Cincinnati Bengals	7	7	3	0	0	17
Cleveland Browns	0	10	6	0	0	16

Scoring Map

Each pin marks where a score occurred on the field — yard line from play-by-play.

CINCincinnati Bengals

CLE 5

CIN 1

+1CIN 15

CLE 1

+3CIN 27

CIN 5

CLECleveland Browns

FantasyHQ Analytics

Scoring timeline

9 scores

Chronological scoring plays — scroll to follow the game.

CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 7:37TD
Charles Brown
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 5
Score
6-0
(7:37) (Shotgun) 30-C.Brown right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q1 7:32XP
Evan McPherson
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
7-0
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 12:44TD
Raheim Sanders
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 1
Score
7-6
(12:44) 98-A.Huntington reported in as eligible. 35-R.Sanders right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 12:42XP
Andre Szmyt
Points+1
Yard line
CIN 15
Score
7-7
25-A.Szmyt extra point is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 4:21TD
Noah Fant
Points+6
Yard line
CLE 1
Score
13-7
(4:21) 61-C.Ford and 74-J.Rivers reported in as eligible. 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 86-N.Fant for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q2 4:18XP
Evan McPherson
Points+1
Yard line
CLE 15
Score
14-7
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.
CLECleveland Browns
Q2 0:27FG
Andre Szmyt
Points+3
Yard line
CIN 27
Score
14-10
(:27) 25-A.Szmyt 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez.
CLECleveland Browns
Q3 7:24TD
Cedric Tillman
Points+6
Yard line
CIN 5
Score
14-16
(7:24) (Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short middle to 19-C.Tillman for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
CINCincinnati Bengals
Q3 2:52FG
Evan McPherson
Points+3
Yard line
CLE 17
Score
17-16
(2:52) 2-E.McPherson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.

Stars of the game

Top performers by total expected points added (EPA).

1Dylan Sampson · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +5.00 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.63 EPA/play
2Raheim Sanders · Cleveland Browns · Rushing · +3.38 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.13 EPA/play
3Tee Higgins · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +3.36 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.84 EPA/play
4Noah Fant · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.84 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
5Mike Gesicki · Cincinnati Bengals · Receiving · +1.13 total EPA · 3 snaps · +0.38 EPA/play
6Cedric Tillman · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.77 total EPA · 8 snaps · +0.10 EPA/play
7Harold Fannin Jr. · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.45 total EPA · 9 snaps · +0.05 EPA/play
8David Njoku · Cleveland Browns · Receiving · +0.45 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.07 EPA/play

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Highest total EPA with the player's top snap and the game's biggest single play when different.

FantasyHQ Game MVP

Dylan Sampson — CLE · Receiving

Dylan Sampson posted the highest total EPA (+5.00) in the game, the strongest overall impact for Cleveland Browns. Across 8 counted snaps, they averaged +0.63 EPA per play.

Biggest single play (-4.09 EPA): Joe Flacco — (1:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short left intended for 19-C.Tillman INTERCEPTED by 20-D.Turner at CLE 47. 20-D.Turner to CLE 40 for 7 yards (34-J.Ford).

Quarterback report card

Joe Flacco led all passers in efficiency for Cleveland Browns, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.

Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns) · 53 dropbacks · 58.5% completion · +2.4% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.92 total EPA
Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals) · 29 dropbacks · 48.3% completion · -1.9% CPOE · -0.02 EPA/play · -0.54 total EPA

Team stats comparison

Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency.

Stat	Cincinnati Bengals	Cleveland Browns
Offensive EPA/play	-0.066	-0.088
Offensive success rate	44.1%	40.0%
Pass EPA/play	-0.019	-0.017
Rush EPA/play	-0.142	-0.066
Defensive EPA/play	+0.088	+0.066
Defensive success rate	60.0%	55.9%

Drive & efficiency notes

Both offenses finished within striking distance on EPA per play (Cincinnati Bengals -0.07, Cleveland Browns -0.09) — a true toss-up on the analytics sheet.

Season benchmark context (offensive EPA per play):

Cincinnati Bengals: -0.07 EPA/play (31st percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)
Cleveland Browns: -0.09 EPA/play (25th percentile vs. 2025 team-game averages)

Cincinnati Bengals: 10 drives, -4.52 total EPA, 3 scoring drives
Cleveland Browns: 10 drives, -7.93 total EPA, 3 scoring drives

Who scored touchdowns and field goals

Every touchdown and field goal from official play-by-play.

Touchdowns

Cincinnati Bengals — Charles Brown (Q1 7:37)
Cleveland Browns — Raheim Sanders (Q2 12:44)
Cincinnati Bengals — Noah Fant (Joe Burrow pass) (Q2 4:21)
Cleveland Browns — Cedric Tillman (Joe Flacco pass) (Q3 7:24)

Field goals

Cleveland Browns — Andre Szmyt (Q2 0:27)
Cincinnati Bengals — Evan McPherson (Q3 2:52)

Quarter by quarter

Quarter-by-quarter recap from live scoring plays.

The opening quarter: Cincinnati Bengals won the period 7–0. Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 5 (Q1 7:37) — (7:37) (Shotgun) 30-C.Brown right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q1 7:32) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..

The second quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 10–7. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 1 (Q2 12:44) — (12:44) 98-A.Huntington reported in as eligible. 35-R.Sanders right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cleveland Browns added 1 points from the CIN 15 (Q2 12:42) — 25-A.Szmyt extra point is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez.; Cincinnati Bengals found the end zone from the CLE 1 (Q2 4:21) — (4:21) 61-C.Ford and 74-J.Rivers reported in as eligible. 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 86-N.Fant for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals added 1 points from the CLE 15 (Q2 4:18) — 2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.; Cleveland Browns connected on a field goal from the CIN 27 (Q2 0:27) — (:27) 25-A.Szmyt 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez..

The third quarter: Cleveland Browns won the period 6–3. Cleveland Browns found the end zone from the CIN 5 (Q3 7:24) — (7:24) (Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short middle to 19-C.Tillman for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Cincinnati Bengals connected on a field goal from the CLE 17 (Q3 2:52) — (2:52) 2-E.McPherson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow..

Turning points

Plays that moved win probability the most.

Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short left intended for 19-C.Tillman INTERCEPTED by 20-D.Turner at CLE 47. 20-D.Turner to CLE 40 for 7 yards (34-J.Ford). [WPA -45.2% · EPA -4.09]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 25-A.Szmyt 36 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez. [WPA -28.7% · EPA -3.69]
Cleveland Browns (Q3 4:59) — (4:59) 15-J.Flacco pass deep middle intended for 3-J.Jeudy INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Battle at CLE 36. 27-J.Battle to CLE 29 for 7 yards (44-H.Fannin; 34-J.Ford). The Replay Official reviewed the runner was [WPA -18.9% · EPA -3.39]
Cincinnati Bengals (Q4 2:00) — (2:00) 8-R.Rehkow punts 49 yards to CLE 21, Center-46-W.Wagner. 2-D.Carter to CLE 33 for 12 yards (46-W.Wagner; 34-S.Perine). [WPA -18.1% · EPA -0.66]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 0:08) — (:08) (Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass deep left to 3-J.Jeudy to CLE 29 for 25 yards (22-G.Stone; 23-D.Hill) [91-T.Hendrickson]. [WPA -17.5% · EPA +0.10]

Impact plays

Highest EPA snaps that flipped field position.

Cleveland Browns (Q4 1:30) — (1:30) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short left intended for 19-C.Tillman INTERCEPTED by 20-D.Turner at CLE 47. 20-D.Turner to CLE 40 for 7 yards (34-J.Ford). [WPA -45.2% · EPA -4.09]
Cleveland Browns (Q4 2:25) — (2:25) 25-A.Szmyt 36 yard field goal is No Good, Wide Right, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez. [WPA -28.7% · EPA -3.69]
Cleveland Browns (Q3 4:59) — (4:59) 15-J.Flacco pass deep middle intended for 3-J.Jeudy INTERCEPTED by 27-J.Battle at CLE 36. 27-J.Battle to CLE 29 for 7 yards (44-H.Fannin; 34-J.Ford). The Replay Official reviewed the runner was [WPA -18.9% · EPA -3.39]
Cleveland Browns (Q3 1:22) — (1:22) (Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short middle to 19-C.Tillman to CIN 44 for 25 yards (29-C.Taylor-Britt; 26-T.Anderson). [WPA +8.8% · EPA +2.39]

Every scoring play

Chronological scoring with play-by-play context.

Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q1 7:37 · CLE 5 · Score 6-0
(7:37) (Shotgun) 30-C.Brown right guard for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q1 7:32 · CLE 15 · Score 7-0
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q2 12:44 · CIN 1 · Score 7-6
(12:44) 98-A.Huntington reported in as eligible. 35-R.Sanders right tackle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Cleveland Browns XP (+1) — Q2 12:42 · CIN 15 · Score 7-7
25-A.Szmyt extra point is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez.
Cincinnati Bengals TD (+6) — Q2 4:21 · CLE 1 · Score 13-7
(4:21) 61-C.Ford and 74-J.Rivers reported in as eligible. 9-J.Burrow pass short right to 86-N.Fant for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals XP (+1) — Q2 4:18 · CLE 15 · Score 14-7
2-E.McPherson extra point is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.
Cleveland Browns FG (+3) — Q2 0:27 · CIN 27 · Score 14-10
(:27) 25-A.Szmyt 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-50-R.Sunahara, Holder-13-C.Bojorquez.
Cleveland Browns TD (+6) — Q3 7:24 · CIN 5 · Score 14-16
(7:24) (Shotgun) 15-J.Flacco pass short middle to 19-C.Tillman for 5 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
Cincinnati Bengals FG (+3) — Q3 2:52 · CLE 17 · Score 17-16
(2:52) 2-E.McPherson 35 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-46-W.Wagner, Holder-8-R.Rehkow.

Key takeaways

What to remember for fantasy research and follow-up box score digging.

Cincinnati Bengals earned the result — use the box score for snap-level context.
One-score margin — verify garbage-time stats before drawing fantasy conclusions.
Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns) led total EPA — start here for highlight and prop research.

Frequently asked questions

Who won Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns on 2025-09-07?

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 17-16 in Week 1, 2025.

What was the score by quarter in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

Q1: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 0; Q2: Cincinnati Bengals 7, Cleveland Browns 10; Q3: Cincinnati Bengals 3, Cleveland Browns 6; Final: Cincinnati Bengals 17, Cleveland Browns 16.

Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — C. Brown (Q1 7:37) Cleveland Browns touchdown — R. Sanders (Q2 12:44) Cincinnati Bengals touchdown — N. Fant (J. Burrow pass) (Q2 4:21) Cleveland Browns touchdown — C. Tillman (J. Flacco pass) (Q3 7:24) Cleveland Browns field goal — A. Szmyt (Q2 0:27, 3 pts) Cincinnati Bengals field goal — E. McPherson (Q3 2:52, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.

How did the quarterbacks play in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

Joe Flacco (Cleveland Browns), 58.5% completion, +2.4% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.92 total passing EPA. Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals), 48.3% completion, -1.9% CPOE, -0.02 EPA per dropback, -0.54 total passing EPA.

Who was FantasyHQ's player of the game in Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns?

Dylan Sampson (Cleveland Browns) was FantasyHQ's Game MVP with +5.00 total EPA on Receiving plays. across 8 snaps.

Was Cincinnati Bengals vs Cleveland Browns a close game?

Yes — the margin was 1 points. Cincinnati Bengals won 17-16 in a game that came down to the wire.

Season records after this game

Cincinnati Bengals

Now 1-0 W

Cleveland Browns

Now 0-1 L

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns: 2025 Week 1 Recap

Top fantasy performers · Bengals

Top fantasy performers · Browns

Quick answer

Game summary