Preview: Browns at Bengals, Week 18 Regular Season Finale

CINCINNATI (Interstat) — The Cincinnati Bengals (6-10) and Cleveland Browns (4-12) will conclude disappointing seasons Sunday at Paycor Stadium in a game with significant draft order implications, but little playoff consequence.

The intrastate AFC North rivals, meeting for the second time this season, will play in unseasonably warm conditions with a forecast of 81 degrees and cloudy skies. Despite the records, recent form favors the home team. The Bengals enter on a two-game winning streak, including a 37-14 rout of Arizona last week, while the Browns snapped a three-game skid with a 13-6 defensive victory over Pittsburgh.

The quarterback matchup features two signal-callers trending in opposite directions. Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow is finishing strong, coming off a performance where he passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns against the Cardinals. Over his last two games, both wins, Burrow has thrown for 614 yards and six touchdowns.

Cleveland will counter with rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has shown flashes of dual-threat ability amid a challenging season. Sanders, who threw for 186 yards and a touchdown and added 20 yards rushing in the win over Pittsburgh, has accounted for at least one touchdown in three of his last four starts. His development against a Bengals defense that has forced five turnovers in the past two weeks will be a key storyline.

The Bengals won the season’s first meeting 17-16 in Cleveland on Sept. 7. According to Interstat, Cincinnati is a heavy favorite to complete the season sweep. Their game simulator projects a 30-22 Bengals victory, and their ELO rating system gives Cincinnati an 85.20% probability to win.

For the Browns, running backs Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders will be relied upon to support their rookie quarterback. The Bengals’ ground attack, led by Chase Brown’s 101-yard, two-touchdown effort last week, will look to control the clock and keep Burrow upright.

While both teams are eliminated from postseason contention, the outcome will impact their positioning in the 2026 NFL Draft. The game also offers a final evaluation for both franchises before an offseason sure to be filled with questions for these AFC North foes.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. EST Sunday.