Overview

• Cincinnati opens 2025 on Sunday in Cleveland, with Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward cited by the Bengals as game-altering threats in Jim Schwartz’s defense.
• Joe Burrow said he feels the best he has in years after a full, injury-free camp and warned that Garrett "can win the game if you let him."
• Protection is under the microscope with two new starting guards, including rookie Dylan Fairchild alongside veteran Lucas Patrick, against Cleveland’s pass rush.
• Taylor, 1–11 in Weeks 1–2 since 2019, has put penalties, ball security and field position at the center of a push to execute the "little things" in the opener.
• Cleveland will start 40-year-old Joe Flacco with Deshaun Watson sidelined, per the NFL, as Cincinnati looks to build on last year’s season sweep of the Browns.