Browns vs Bengals: Week1 NFL Season Opener Sep 7, 2025
Game Details and Broadcast Information
The Cleveland Browns (0-0) and Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) open their 2025 seasons with a pivotal AFC North matchup at Huntington Bank Field. Scheduled for Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET, the game will be broadcast on FOX, featuring commentators like Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, and Aditi Kinkhabwala on the sidelines. Streaming options include Fubo (with a free trial), NFL+ for mobile and in-market viewers, and the FOX Sports app. Local radio coverage is available on 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM), ESPN 850 WKNR, and 98.5 WNCX in Cleveland, with Andrew Siciliano, Nathan Zegura, and Je’Rod Cherry calling the action. Bengals fans can tune into WXZX 105.3 in Columbus or other local stations like WKRC-TV (Ch. 12) in Cincinnati. National listeners can access the game on SiriusXM or Westwood One.
This Week 1 game is the ninth time the Browns and Bengals have opened the season against each other, with Cleveland holding a 4-3 record in those matchups. The game also marks the second time in three years that these teams open and close the season against each other, adding extra weight to this early divisional battle. Tickets are available through StubHub, with prices reflecting the high demad for this rivalry game.
The Rivalry: Browns vs. Bengals
The Browns-Bengals rivalry, often dubbed the “Battle of Ohio,” is one of the NFL’s most enduring, with 102 meetings since 1970. Cincinnati leads the all-time series 54-48, but Cleveland has won seven of the last ten encounters, including a dominant 24-3 victory in their 2023 season opener. The 2024 season saw the teams split their matchups, with the Bengals winning 31-14 in Week 18 against a Browns team resting starters after clinching a playoff spot. This history sets the stage for a fiercely contested game, as both teams vie for early bragging rights in the AFC North.
This rivalry is steeped in tradition, with ties to Bengals founder Paul Brown, who also coached the Browns to seven NFL titles. The 2025 opener, coinciding with what would have been Paul Brown’s 117th birthday, adds a symbolic layer to the matchup. For Browns fans, a win would signal a rebound from their 3-14 record in 2024, while Bengals fans hope to see their team overcome a slow-starting trend under head coach Zac Taylor, who is 1-9 in Weeks 1 and 2. The atmosphere at Huntington Bank Field will be electric, with Ohio’s football pride on the line.
Cleveland Browns: A Pivotal Season Ahead
The Browns enter 2025 under intense scrutiny after a disastrous 2024 season that saw them finish 3-14, their worst record since 2017. Head coach Kevin Stefanski, who has a 26-16 home record since 2020, faces pressure to turn things around in what could be a make-or-break year for the franchise. The Browns’ offense struggled in 2024, ranking 23rd in total yards (309.6 per game) and 19th in passing (217.2 per game), while their defense was a bright spot, ranking first against the pass (164.7 yards allowed per game) but 18th overall (340.9 yards allowed).
Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, named the starter for the end of 2024, may lead the offense, though rumors swirl about a potential rookie quarterback from the 2025 draft. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who led the team with 90 receptions for 1,229 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, is a key weapon, alongside running back Jerome Ford, who managed 565 yards and three touchdowns. Defensively, Myles Garrett, coming off a career-high 16 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, remains a game-wrecker, particularly against Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow, whom he’s sacked 18 times in five games. Cleveland’s offseason additions, including draft picks to bolster the trenches, aim to address their 11th-ranked run defense (105.5 yards allowed per game). A strong start against Cincinnati is crucial for a team facing a gauntlet of four 2024 playoff teams in the first five weeks.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chasing AFC North Supremacy
The Bengals, despite missing the playoffs in 2024 with a 9-8 record, remain a formidable force thanks to their high-powered offense. Quarterback Joe Burrow, who threw for a league-leading 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns with a 70.6% completion rate in 2024, is the centerpiece of an attack that ranked fifth in points scored (28.5 per game). Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, fresh off a historic season with 127 catches, 1,708 yards, and 17 touchdowns (all NFL-best), forms a lethal duo with Burrow. Running back Chase Brown added 990 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. However, the Bengals’ defense struggled, ranking second-worst in points allowed (27.6 per game) and 15th in total yards (343.2 per game), prompting offseason moves like drafting Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewart.
Under head coach Zac Taylor, Cincinnati faces a challenging early schedule, with three road games in the first four weeks, including matchups against 2024 playoff teams Minnesota and Denver. A win in Cleveland would provide momentum and help rewrite the narrative of their September struggles. The Bengals’ offensive line, coached by Scott Peters and featuring rookie left guard Dylan Fairchild, will be tested against Cleveland’s ferocious pass rush, led by Garrett. With four prime-time games and three late-window contests in 2025, Cincinnati’s high-octane offense is poised for the spotlight, but they must shore up their defense to contend for the AFC North crown.
Key Matchups to Watch
This game will hinge on several critical matchups that could tip the scales:
- Joe Burrow vs. Myles Garrett: Burrow’s ability to evade Garrett’s relentless pressure will be crucial. Garrett’s 18 career sacks against Burrow highlight his dominance, but Cincinnati’s improved offensive line, with Fairchild and Orlando Brown Jr., aims to keep Burrow upright.
- Ja’Marr Chase vs. Browns’ Secondary: Chase, the NFL’s leading receiver in 2024, was held to 55 yards and one touchdown in their Week 7 matchup last season. Cleveland’s top-ranked pass defense, led by Denzel Ward, must contain Chase to limit Cincinnati’s explosive plays.
- Browns’ Run Game vs. Bengals’ Run Defense: Cleveland’s rushing attack, ranked 12th in 2024 (118.6 yards per game), faces a Bengals defense that allowed 126.7 yards per game (17th). If Jerome Ford can exploit this, it could open up the passing game for Thompson-Robinson or a rookie quarterback.
- Bengals’ Offensive Line vs. Browns’ Pass Rush: Cleveland’s defense, which ranked first against the pass in 2024, will test Cincinnati’s line. Protecting Burrow will be key to sustaining long drives and avoiding third-and-long situations against Garrett and company.
Historical Context and Stakes
The Browns and Bengals have a storied rivalry, with Cleveland’s 24-3 win in the 2023 opener showcasing their defensive prowess in rainy conditions. The 2024 season saw Cincinnati rebound in Week 18, capitalizing on Cleveland’s backups. This 2025 opener is the ninth time these teams have met in Week 1, with Cleveland winning the last encounter in 2023. The game also marks the second time in three years they open and close the season against each other, a rare scheduling quirk that bookends their 2025 campaigns with high-stakes divisional battles.
For Cleveland, a victory would provide a much-needed boost after a dismal 2024 and set the tone for a tough early schedule that includes Baltimore, Green Bay, Detroit, and Minnesota. For Cincinnati, a road win would signal a shift in their early-season fortunes and establish them as AFC North contenders. With both teams facing playoff-caliber opponents in the coming weeks, this game is a critical opportunity to gain momentum and assert divisional dominance.
Fan Experience and Atmosphere
Huntington Bank Field will be a cauldron of energy as Browns fans pack the stands to support their team’s redemption quest. The “Dawg Pound” will be in full force, creating a hostile environment for the Bengals. Cincinnati fans, known for their passionate road presence, will make the short trip to Cleveland, adding to the rivalry’s intensity. Pregame festivities include “Browns Countdown” at 10:30 AM ET on WEWS News 5, with postgame coverage on “Browns Tonight” at 11:30 PM ET. The Browns will wear brown jerseys, orange pants, and orange helmets, paying homage to their classic look.
Tickets, available through StubHub, are in high demand, with prices reflecting the game’s significance. Fans unable to attend can follow along on social media, with the NFL, Browns, and Bengals accounts on platforms like X providing real-time updates and highlights. For deeper insights, NFL Network’s Schedule Release ’25 on May 14, 2025, offers analysis of this game and the full season slate.
Predictions and Expectations
Early projections from DraftKings Sportsbook favor the Bengals by 7 points, reflecting their offensive firepower and Cleveland’s 2024 struggles. The over/under is set at 43.5 points, suggesting a competitive game with potential for offensive fireworks. Cleveland’s top-ranked pass defense could keep them in the game, but containing Burrow and Chase will be a tall order. Meanwhile, the Browns’ offense must find consistency, whether led by Thompson-Robinson or a rookie quarterback.
Analysts predict a close contest, with Cincinnati’s offense likely to exploit Cleveland’s 18th-ranked total defense. However, the Browns’ home-field advantage and Garrett’s dominance could make it a dogfight. The prediction: a 27-20 Bengals win, with Burrow connecting on a late touchdown to Chase to seal the victory, though Cleveland’s defense keeps it competitive until the final minutes.
How to Watch and Follow Along
- Date and Time: Sunday, September 7, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET
- Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Fubo (free trial), NFL+ (mobile/local), FOX Sports app
- Radio: 92.3 The Fan (WKRK-FM), ESPN 850 WKNR, 98.5 WNCX (Cleveland); WXZX 105.3 (Columbus); SiriusXM, Westwood One
- Tickets: Available through StubHub
Fans can stay engaged through the Browns and Bengals mobile apps, which offer live stats, scores, and breaking news. The official team websites (clevelandbrowns.com and bengals.com) provide game blogs and postgame breakdowns for in-depth coverage.
The Browns vs. Bengals Week 1 clash on September 7, 2025, is a must-watch AFC North battle that sets the stage for the 2025 NFL season. With Cleveland seeking redemption and Cincinnati aiming to overcome their early-season woes, this game is a microcosm of the division’s intensity. From the star power of Burrow, Chase, and Garrett to the electric atmosphere at Huntington Bank Field, this matchup has all the makings of a classic. Whether you’re watching on FOX, streaming on Fubo, or cheering in the stands, get ready for a thrilling start to the season as these Ohio rivals battle for supremacy.
