NFL

Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals

· National Football League
3-12, 1-7 Away
Final
6 - 24
7-8, 2-5 Home

Burrow throws 3 TD passes and Bengals keep playoff hopes alive with 24-6 victory over Browns

Joe Burrow keeps play alive for magical Bengals TD

Burrow threw three touchdown passes, including one as he was falling to the turf, and the Bengals kept their slim postseason hopes alive with a 24-6 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

“This one just keeps us in the race,” Burrow said. “It feels good to play in big games. It's exciting to still be in it.”

The Bengals (7-8) have won three straight. They need to win their last two games and get some help to earn a playoff spot.

Burrow finished 23 of 30 for 252 yards and became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for three or more TDs and 250 or more yards in seven straight games, surpassing the record of six set by Tom Brady in New England's undefeated 2007 season.

Chase had six catches for 97 yards and a garbage-time touchdown for Cincinnati to reach 1,510 yards this season and break his own franchise record of 1,455 yards set in 2021.

“It feels good, something I wanted to do,” said Chase, who leads the NFL in receptions (108), receiving yards and TD catches (16). “Me being competitive, I wanted to compete with myself.”

Burrow leads the league with 4,229 yards passing and 39 touchdowns.

With Dorian Thompson-Robinson replacing Jameis Winston at quarterback, Cleveland (3-12) missed some chances in the red zone.

Jerome Ford had a 66-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. But D'Onta Foreman fumbled on first-and-goal and Vonn Bell recovered.

“It's a 14-point swing,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “Not only did it take the life out of them a little bit, getting the stop on the 1-yard line then going 99 (yards) gave us a lot of confidence and set the tone.”

In the third quarter, a holding penalty negated a TD run by Thompson-Robinson, who also had a pass intercepted in the end zone by Jordan Battle.

“Obviously, you turn the ball over in the red zone, especially the first one, you're not going to put yourself in position to get a win on the road,” Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said. “Not a lack of effort. It's a lack of protecting the ball.”

The Bengals cashed in on Foreman's fumble when Burrow, as he was falling, threw a 2-yard TD pass to Tee Higgins to cap an eight-play, 99-yard drive.

The Bengals' defense, which has struggled for most of the season, has forced nine turnovers in the past two games.

“The guys have done a great job on that side of the ball getting us extra possessions on offense,” Taylor said

Thompson-Robinson passed for 157 yards and two interceptions after being named the starter this week ahead of Winston, who was inactive with a shoulder injury. He had 49 yards rushing and was sacked five times.

Ford rushed for 93 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.

Burrow threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Chase with 1:44 left when the Bengals only needed to run out the clock.

Franchise mark Cincinnati’s Cade York, a former Browns draft pick, tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal on the final play of the first half to make it 17-0.

It matched Evan McPherson's 59-yarder on Sept. 11, 2022. McPherson is on injured reserve with a groin injury.

“There was no ill will,” York said about the Browns. “I really enjoyed my time over there. It was nice to beat them, though.”

Garrett's milestone Myles Garrett, who said this week the Browns franchise should be focused on winning and not rebuilding, recorded the 100th sack of his career in the second quarter.

“It made my dad proud," Garrett said. "He’s been telling me through my last three weeks. I’m happy to get it done. There is no quitting in my blood.”

Garrett has 12 sacks, joining Lawrence Taylor as the only players with 12 or more in five straight seasons.

Injuries Browns: Two key starters returned in TE David Njoku and CB Martin Emerson Jr.

Bengals: RT Amarius Mims left the game with a left ankle injury and didn't return. LT Orlando Brown Jr. was inactive with an injured fibula.

Up next Browns: Host Miami next Sunday.

Bengals: Host Denver on Saturday.

How can I watch Browns vs. Bengals?

  • TV Channel: Browns at Bengals 2021-22 NFL, week 16 is broadcasted nationally on CBS and NFL Sunday Ticket - Paramount+ NFL on CBS 2021 - Try it FREE!.
  • Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
    In Canada, viewers can watch Browns vs. Bengals on DAZN.

Scoring Summary

CIN TD 1st Period 7:14 Tee Higgins 2 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Cade York Kick)
CIN TD 2nd Period 7:32 Andrei Iosivas 6 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Cade York Kick)
CIN FG 2nd Period 0:00 Cade York 59 Yd Field Goal
CLE TD 3rd Period 5:50 Jerome Ford 4 Yd Rush (Dustin Hopkins PAT Failed)
CIN TD 4th Period 1:44 Ja'Marr Chase 32 Yd pass from Joe Burrow (Cade York Kick)

Statistics

https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cle.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCLE https://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/teamlogos/nfl/500/cin.png&h=100&scale=crop&w=100&location=originCIN
18 1st Downs 21
8 Passing 1st downs 14
7 Rushing 1st downs 6
3 1st downs from penalties 1
3-12 3rd down efficiency 4-11
1-3 4th down efficiency 0-0
63 Total Plays 56
273 Total Yards 326
4.3 Yards per Play 5.8
10 Total Drives 11
125 Passing 210
20/34 Comp/Att 23/30
3.2 Yards per pass 6.2
2 Interceptions thrown 0
5-32 Sacks-Yards Lost 4-42
148 Rushing 116
24 Rushing Attempts 22
6.2 Yards per rush 5.3
1-3 Red Zone (Made-Att) 2-3
5-41 Penalties 5-35
3 Turnovers 1
1 Fumbles lost 1
2 Interceptions thrown 0
0 Defensive / Special Teams TDs 0
29:12 Possession 30:48
Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
PJ Jules, S Doubtful Dec 12
Shemar Stewart, DE Injured Reserve Dec 12
Tee Higgins, WR Out Dec 12
Trey Hendrickson, DE Injured Reserve Dec 11
Brian Asamoah II, LB Injured Reserve Dec 1
Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns Injuries
NAME, POS STATUS DATE
Jack Conklin, OT Out Dec 12
Wyatt Teller, G Out Dec 12
Adin Huntington, DE Out Dec 12
Malachi Corley, WR Questionable Dec 12
Mason Graham, DT Questionable Dec 12

Game Information

Paycor Stadium

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 65,734 · Capacity:

2025 AFC North Standings

TEAM W L PCT T PF PA
Pittsburgh 6 311 308 0 .538 7
Baltimore 7 320 311 0 .462 6
Cincinnati 9 413 314 0 .308 4
Cleveland 10 301 223 0 .231 3
Full Standings

NFL News

Josh Allen, Hailee Steinfeld expecting first child together

Josh Allen, Hailee Steinfeld expecting first child together

The Buffalo Bills quarterback and the "Sinners" star got married in May and are expecting their first baby together.

Who has the most receiving touchdowns in an NFL game?

Who has the most receiving touchdowns in an NFL game?

Jerry Rice, Kellen Winslow and Bob Shaw have each caught five touchdowns in single NFL games. Check out other top performers.

Don't miss Dolphins vs. Steelers on 'Monday Night Football'

Don't miss Dolphins vs. Steelers on 'Monday Night Football'

Catch the Dolphins and Steelers in Week 15 on "Monday Night Football," starting at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App.

Bills DE Joey Bosa, RT Spencer Brown set to play vs. Patriots

Bills DE Joey Bosa, RT Spencer Brown set to play vs. Patriots

Bills defensive end Joey Bosa and right tackle Spencer Brown are set to play Sunday against the Patriots, and cornerback Christian Benford is questionable with a toe injury suffered in Thursday's practice.

Cowboys' Diggs expects to return from 2-month absence vs. Vikings

Cowboys' Diggs expects to return from 2-month absence vs. Vikings

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs said he expects to play Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings following a two-month absence after dealing with a concussion and an ailing right knee.