Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is choosing to see his team’s Week 1 scare against the Cleveland Browns in a positive light.
The Bengals pretty much deserved to lose Sunday against the Browns at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. Cincinnati recorded just 141 total yards, which was fewer than half of Cleveland’s 327 total.
The Bengals had a 14-10 lead at halftime and held onto it for dear life. The road team went on to have one of the worst offensive halves in recent memory, tallying just seven yards on its six second-half drives. But somehow, Cincinnati escaped with a 17-16 victory, despite having the fewest yards in the second half by a winning team over the last 25 years.
But all Burrow paid attention to was the score. He took solace in the Bengals finding a way to win despite playing as poorly as they did.
“We didn’t win any of these games last year,” Burrow told reporters after the game.
“Usually, when you can win a game like this, that’s a recipe for success. It means you’re going to be a good team, if you can find a lot of different ways to win — and we did today.”
Burrow and his offensive line did not look sharp in the contest. He went 14/23 for 113 yards and a touchdown. The lowest point of the game for Burrow was when he got sacked three straight times in the fourth quarter.
Cincinnati got extremely lucky that Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missed a 36-yard field goal on the ensuing possession. But somehow, the Bengals still found a reason to taunt the Browns after the game.
Andre Szmyt misses the 36-yard FG 😬
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) September 7, 2025
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/TuHLDdWz7b
The Bengals have notoriously started slow over the past few seasons. Sunday’s win was their first season-opening win since 2021.
For what it’s worth, the Bengals also made the Super Bowl in 2021. But replicating that success would be impossible if Cincinnati continues to play like it did against the Browns.
