Bengals edge Browns 17-16 in season opener

Cincinnati escaped a late Cleveland rally to beat the Browns 17-16 on Sunday in the 2025 season opener at Huntington Bank Field, snapping a string of slow starts and handing the Browns a one-score loss punctuated by missed kicks and two late turnovers. Cincinnati improved to 1-0 while Cleveland fell to 0-1.

The Bengals built an early lead behind a 12-play, 68-yard opening drive capped by a 5-yard touchdown run from Chase Brown and a 1-yard scoring strike from Joe Burrow to Noah Fant. Evan McPherson added a 35-yard field goal late in the third quarter that proved to be the difference. Cincinnati’s defense produced two critical takeaways, including an interception by D.J. Turner with about 90 seconds remaining that sealed the victory.

Cleveland outgained Cincinnati 327 yards to 141 and controlled the line of scrimmage for long stretches, but missed opportunities and special teams errors undermined the Browns. Veteran quarterback Joe Flacco finished 31-of-45 for 290 yards and a touchdown, but two interceptions — each the result of bobbled catches by his receivers — swung momentum. Rookie kicker Andre Szmyt converted a 45-yard field goal before halftime, but he missed the extra...