Was the Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 1 victory over the Cleveland Browns pretty? Absolutely not.
Are there things that need to improve — and fast? Yes.
But after not winning a season opener in four years, you’ll take it. No matter how it looked. Especially when it comes against an in-state rival that is never an easy matchup.
The Bengals’ 17-16 victory marked their fourth straight win over the Browns, and their fifth in the last six meetings. It wasn’t a statement win, but it was a win nonetheless. Here’s what stood out.
Why Go Away From Chase Brown?
The Bengals opened the game with exactly the kind of drive you want to see: a 7-minute, 28-second march capped by a shifty Chase Brown touchdown.
Brown looked like he picked up right where he left off after his stellar 2024 campaign. On that drive alone, he carried the ball seven times for 29 yards (4.1 YPC) resulting in a 5-yard touchdown.
And then? He all but disappeared.
Brown finished with 14 more carries for just 14 yards, many of them coming in predictable rushing situations or while trying to bleed clock. Still, it felt like Zac Taylor and the offensive staff abandoned the run far too early.
The Bengals’ offensive line is far from dominant, and keeping Joe Burrow upright (sacked three times, hit seven) requires balance. Consistently mixing in Brown keeps defenses honest and prevents players like Myles Garrett from teeing off.
Instead, the run game fizzled, and the offense had no spark after the opening drive.
Is This 2024 Cam Taylor-Britt All Over Again? DJ Turner Shows Promise
Let’s be honest: Cam Taylor-Britt struggled. Again.
Too often he was caught chasing in man coverage, reacting late to receiver breaks, and giving up separation. If this defense wants to take a step forward, CTB has to clean it up.
The encouraging sign? DJ Turner.
The second-year corner showed real flashes, coming up with key plays against Browns receivers, including several reps against WR1 Jerry Jeudy. Turner looked composed and confident, something this secondary desperately needs.
If CTB doesn’t improve, Turner might be the one asked to step into bigger moments.
Should We Worry About the Bengals’ Offense?
Absolutely not.
If you’re panicking about Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins, you haven’t been watching for the last five years. This is still one of the best offensive trios in football, and history says they’ll get it figured out as the season progresses.
That said — how does Ja’Marr Chase finish with only two catches? How does Tee Higgins finish with just three?
Taylor has often struggled to scheme his best weapons open against elite defenses, and it showed again Sunday. Against a unit as talented as Cleveland’s, you have to get creative: motion Ja’Marr, line him up in the backfield, move him into the slot — anything to keep them involved.
Instead, the offense stalled. And while Burrow and his stars will eventually find rhythm, Taylor has to do a better job of making sure it doesn’t take weeks to get there.
A Win Is a Win
One Bengals fan on X nailed it: “This feels like a game we barely win and no one feels good about it afterwards.”
That’s exactly what it was.
The Browns drag opponents into their style of game — slow, defensive battles filled with long drives. It’s not fun. It’s not pretty. It’s not easy. But beating Cleveland means surviving their brand of football, and that’s what Cincinnati did.
Do I feel great about it? No.
But starting 1-0 for the first time in four seasons feels pretty damn good.
And in the NFL, sometimes that’s all that matters.
