The Cleveland Browns 2025 campaign begins with a pivotal AFC North showdown with the Cincinnati Bengals

No team epitomizes the unpredictability of Week 1 more than the Cincinnati Bengals. 

Since Zac Taylor became the Bengals head coach in 2019, the franchise has posted a winning record through the first four weeks of the season just one time (2021). Additionally, Taylor's team has opened up each of the last two seasons with identical 1-3 records, respectively, and since Joe Burrow arrived in 2020, he's one just one game in the first two weeks of his five NFL season. 

All those figures are why Taylor changed the way he handled his starters in the preseason. Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski changed up his approach to training camp and the preseason though too, running a more physical and deliberate camp overall. Both coaches will test how effective those tweaks will be when they meet on Sunday at Huntington Bank Field. 

It's a Week 1 matchup between two teams expected to head in very different directions. After a dreadful 2024 campaign that saw Cleveland go 3-14, its win total for 2025 is set no higher than 5.5 in most sportsbooks. 

Meanwhile, after missing the playoffs last season, the Bengals have Super Bowl aspirations after paying top wideouts Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and their best defensive player in DE Trey Hendrickson this offseason. At the root of those championship dreams, though, is Burrow, of course. 

Still, both teams enter a new season with questions. For the Browns it's their offense, led by Joe Flacco, entering his 18th season at the ripe old age of 40. Around him, there's an obvious discrepancy at the skill positions in particular, especially with second-round pick Quinshon Judkins still M.I.A. at this point. 

Conversely for Cincinnati, their defense, which ranked 25th in points allowed last season (25.5) and gave up the fourth most touchdowns through the air (30) leaves a lot to be desired.

That unit was also getting gashed in the run game during the preseason, granted there wasn't a lot of true game-planning going on. Maybe new defensive coordinator Al Golden will pull the right levers to get the unit back on track. With many of the same players still intact, though, it remains a red flag. 

And so, the stage is set for a classic AFC North showdown in Week 1. Can the Browns deliver a surprising upset to open the season? Find out...

Anthony Moeglin's Prediction: 

My hot take leading into Week 1 is that this game will be the most exciting one of the weekend. It's the battle of Joes at Huntington Bank Field and there will be fireworks.

The Bengals are 1-9 in the first two games of Joe Burrow's first five seasons. Last year, their start cost them a trip to the playoffs. They doubled down this offseason by paying all their biggest stars not named Joe Burrow, but addressed none of their concerns in the process. Their defense is dreadful and their offensive line leaves a lot to be desired.

The Browns aren't the most hyped team in the league but they are going to be a very tough team to beat. They can be methodical in their offensive attack but expect them to be opportunistic in taking some shots as well. Joe Flacco is fearless and will throw it all over the field against a porous Bengals defense.

The game is going to come down to which defensive line makes the big play to force the turnover and in my prediction, it's going to be Trey Hendrickson who changes the game late to propel the Bengals to victory.

Bengals 38, Browns 34

Myles Garrett Sept. 4 undefined

Spencer German's Prediction: 

It's totally reasonable for people to pick the Bengals to win this game. They have Joe Burrow. They have Ja'Marr Chase. They have Tee Higgins. They have a stockpile of weapons that rivals the United State's nuclear arsenal. 

The Browns meanwhile are a team caught in two different worlds. The core of the team includes aging veterans like Joe Flacco, a bunch of 30-something lineman, as well as some of the league's top talents like Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward. But there was also a clear emphasis this offseason to supplement the roster with younger players to rebuild on the fly. 

That identity crisis leaves Cleveland clouded in uncertainty to begin the season, but there are reasons for optimism, starting with a defensive line that could really ruin Cincinnati's offensive gameplan. 

Conversely, a return to the basics of Kevin Stefanski's scheme was a welcomed change this offseason, and one that should inject some life into the offense. It doesn't hurt that they draw a pretty meager Bengals defense in Week 1 either, which is one of the biggest reasons I like the Browns in this game. 

Browns 22, Bengals 20