Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction & Picks - NFL

Prediction published on 9/7/25, 9:48 AM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 1/13/26 at 9:16 AM in NFL Picks

The Browns will host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1 of the 2025-26 NFL season. Kickoff for this AFC North battle is scheduled for 1 p.m. EST on Sunday, Sept. 7 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, OH.

There will be considerable interest in this game, but not because it is expected to be competitive. Cincinnati has become infamous for its slow starts. In past seasons, Joe Burrow has dealt with injuries in the preseason, but when he didn’t, head coach Zac Taylor didn’t play his starters. Burrow is healthy, and the first team offense saw action in the first two preseason games, so there is hope they can avoid the slow start that has plagued them the last few seasons. As for the Browns, expectations are pretty low in Cleveland. With the albatross that is Deshaun Watson’s contract hanging around, it was difficult for the team to do much in the offseason. Joe Flacco was brought back to take over as QB1. If he can play like he did during his last stint with the team, there may be hope for the Browns. But that is a pretty big if. However, the defense is still solid, so the team may not need much from Flacco.

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