Posted on Dec 29

Bengals' Burrow set to face Browns' Garrett as both teams seek season-ending win

Posted Dec 29, 2025

Joe Burrow is set to return for the Cincinnati Bengals in their season finale against the Cleveland Browns, despite both teams being eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters: Burrow's presence on the field represents more than just a game; it symbolizes pride and determination for a team looking to end its season on a positive note.

With Burrow back, the Bengals are aiming for a third straight win after recent victories against the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals.
The quarterback has demonstrated resilience, returning from a significant turf toe injury that sidelined him for nine games earlier this season.

What’s new: Burrow will play in his sixth game since recovering from injury, showcasing his commitment even when the playoffs are out of reach.

In his last two outings, he has thrown for over 300 yards each time, proving he is regaining form and confidence.
Burrow stated, "Every time we go out there, we're putting our bodies on the line... trying to put good stuff on tape," highlighting his competitive spirit.

What to watch: The matchup against Myles Garrett looms large as one of the key storylines heading into the game.

Garrett, currently with 22 sacks, is just 0.5 sacks shy of breaking the NFL single-season record.
Zac Taylor, head coach of the Bengals, acknowledged Garrett's formidable skills, calling him "the best defensive player on planet Earth."

Yes, but: While the stakes may be lower for both teams, the individual battles within the game remain highly competitive.

Burrow's history with Garrett includes a challenging Week 1 encounter where he was sacked three consecutive times by the edge rusher during a narrow 17-16 win for the Bengals.
Garrett has consistently been a thorn in Burrow's side, having sacked him twice this season and 12 times throughout their careers.

The big picture: Both franchises are looking to build momentum moving forward, albeit from different positions.

The Bengals sport a 6-10 record while the Browns stand at 4-12, indicating a need for improvement across the board.
As they close the chapter on this season, both teams aim to gather insights and experience that can inform future strategies.

The bottom line: For Burrow and the Bengals, this game might not hold playoff implications, but it serves as an opportunity to finish strong and establish a foundation for next season.

Bengals' Burrow set to face Browns' Garrett as both teams seek season-ending win

Alex Parker

Posted Dec 29, 2025

Joe Burrow is set to return for the Cincinnati Bengals in their season finale against the Cleveland Browns, despite both teams being eliminated from playoff contention.

Why it matters: Burrow's presence on the field represents more than just a game; it symbolizes pride and determination for a team looking to end its season on a positive note.

With Burrow back, the Bengals are aiming for a third straight win after recent victories against the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals.

The quarterback has demonstrated resilience, returning from a significant turf toe injury that sidelined him for nine games earlier this season.

What’s new: Burrow will play in his sixth game since recovering from injury, showcasing his commitment even when the playoffs are out of reach.

In his last two outings, he has thrown for over 300 yards each time, proving he is regaining form and confidence.

Burrow stated, "Every time we go out there, we're putting our bodies on the line... trying to put good stuff on tape," highlighting his competitive spirit.

What to watch: The matchup against Myles Garrett looms large as one of the key storylines heading into the game.

Garrett, currently with 22 sacks, is just 0.5 sacks shy of breaking the NFL single-season record.

Zac Taylor, head coach of the Bengals, acknowledged Garrett's formidable skills, calling him "the best defensive player on planet Earth."

Yes, but: While the stakes may be lower for both teams, the individual battles within the game remain highly competitive.

Burrow's history with Garrett includes a challenging Week 1 encounter where he was sacked three consecutive times by the edge rusher during a narrow 17-16 win for the Bengals.

Garrett has consistently been a thorn in Burrow's side, having sacked him twice this season and 12 times throughout their careers.

The big picture: Both franchises are looking to build momentum moving forward, albeit from different positions.

The Bengals sport a 6-10 record while the Browns stand at 4-12, indicating a need for improvement across the board.

As they close the chapter on this season, both teams aim to gather insights and experience that can inform future strategies.

The bottom line: For Burrow and the Bengals, this game might not hold playoff implications, but it serves as an opportunity to finish strong and establish a foundation for next season.