The Cincinnati Bengals have been significantly more successful in recent years, winning the AFC North division in 2021 and 2022 with a modern, high-powered offense led by Joe Burrow, while the Cleveland Browns have struggled with consistency despite roster investments and have not won a playoff game since 1994.
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
The Cincinnati Bengals are the stronger franchise heading into 2026, with superior quarterback play, a more explosive offense, and consistent recent success in the AFC North. Choose the Bengals if you want to follow a team with championship aspirations and modern offensive firepower. Choose the Browns if you prefer a franchise with defensive strengths and a longstanding commitment to rebuilding, though recent results suggest they remain several years away from contention.
Compare Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals
AFC North defensive specialist team with balanced roster and strong pass defense
NFL team competing in AFC North with modern high-powered offense and recent division dominance
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals — Comparison Data
Structured comparison data for Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals with 173 attributes.
Average Points Per Game vs This Opponent
Leading Running Back Rushing Yards (2025)
Primary Running Back Rushing Yards (2025)
QB Touchdown-to-Interception Ratio (2024)
All-Time Head-to-Head Record (Since 1996)
Offensive Points Per Game (2023-24 Season)
Conference Championships (pre-Super Bowl era & modern)
2025 Defense Ranking (Yards Allowed/Game)
Head Coach Regular Season Win Percentage
Winning Percentage (last 10 seasons: 2015-2024)
Division Titles (Last 25 Years: 1999-2024)
Regular Season Win Percentage (2020-2026)
Starting Quarterback MVP Awards (Career)
Consecutive Playoff Appearances (2020-2026)
Postseason Win Percentage (Last 25 Years)
Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals.
Why haven't the Browns won a playoff game since 1994?
The Browns have experienced persistent quarterback instability and poor roster construction at critical moments. From 1995-2020, the team cycled through 30+ starting quarterbacks, including failed experiments with Tim Couch, Brady Quinn, and Johnny Manziel. Even after roster improvements in 2020-2024, quarterback inconsistency (Baker Mayfield's regression, Deshaun Watson's underperformance relative to contract) has prevented sustained success. The 1994 playoff win represents the franchise's only victory in 30 years despite multiple competitive rosters.
What makes Joe Burrow better than Deshaun Watson?
In 2024, Burrow posted a 94.2 passer rating with 43 passing touchdowns compared to Watson's 85.5 rating and 27 touchdowns. Burrow is playing at an MVP-caliber level with superior decision-making, chemistry with elite receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and proven playoff success (led Bengals to Super Bowl LVI after 2021 season). Watson, despite earning $55M annually, has struggled with ankle injuries, inconsistency, and off-field distractions, failing to justify his contract investment.
The Cleveland Browns have the superior defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and strong secondary depth. In 2024, the Browns allowed 348.1 yards per game compared to Cincinnati's 361.2 yards. However, Cincinnati's defense remains adequate for an offense-first system, while the Browns rely more heavily on defensive performance to compensate for offensive inconsistency.
Do the Bengals have a legitimate Super Bowl chance?
Yes, the Bengals have shown legitimate championship potential. They reached the Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season, won back-to-back AFC North titles (2021-2022), and possess an elite quarterback, top-tier receiving weapons, and average 386+ yards per game. The primary vulnerability is their defense (ranked 20th in yards allowed), which must improve to win playoff games against strong teams. With Joe Burrow healthy and in his prime, the Bengals are contenders.
Is Deshaun Watson a franchise quarterback for the Browns?
Current evidence suggests no. Watson signed a 5-year, $230M fully-guaranteed contract in 2022 that was criticized as an overpayment, but has delivered a 85.5 passer rating in 2024 with 27 touchdowns. His ankle injuries have caused inconsistency, and he has not elevated the Browns to playoff contention. At 29 years old with significant contract years remaining, Watson must demonstrate substantial improvement in 2025-2026 to validate the investment. The Browns may need to explore alternatives if Watson's inconsistency persists.