The Browns will close out the 2025 regular season with one final divisional game, as they face the Bengals in Cincinnati. Cleveland enters the game with a 4-12 record, while Cincinnati holds a 6-10 record.

"Obviously a great challenge going on the road versus a division opponent," head coach Kevin Stefanski said. "Saw them back in Week 1, which seems like a very long time ago, but they've changed, we've changed. Looking forward to the challenge of going up against a Cincinnati Bengals attack – we know what that entails. Obviously, good players, good coaches, good scheme. They know us and we know them, so we got a chance to try to even the series and finish strong."

Here are three burning questions for the final game of the regular season.

How will the Browns adjust to the Bengals' defense?

The Browns have an opportunity to generate offense through the run game in Week 18, as the Bengals give up the most rushing yards per game in the league with 148.9 yards. The Browns currently rank 27th in the league in rushing yards, averaging just 95.7 yards per game. However, if they can establish the run to move the ball, they can create chances in the pass game. The Bengals give up an average of 243.3 passing yards per game, ranked 27^th in the league.

Following leading RB Quinshon Judkins' season-ending injury in Week 16, the Browns relied on RB Dylan Sampson, RB Raheim Sanders and RB Trayveon Williams in Week 17 in their rushing attack. That trio will play an important role in establishing the run in Week 18.

As the Browns look to create that balance of the run and the pass game, offensive coordinator Tommy Rees highlighted Bengals CB DJ Turner as a defensive threat they must prepare for. In their first meeting in Week 1, Turner recorded an interception, two passes defensed and two total tackles. On the season, Turner has 40 tackles, two tackles for loss, two interceptions, 18 passes defensed, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.

"Their corner, number 20 (DJ Turner II) has really elevated his play and has played at a really high level throughout the season for them," offensive coordinator Tommy Rees said. "Obviously, they've had some injuries, they've had some moving parts, but I think collectively as a defense, they've really improved and played well."

How the Browns limit the Bengals' pass game?

For the second time this season, the Browns will face QB Joe Burrow, who has completed 144 of 220 passing attempts for 1,573 passing yards and 14 touchdowns in seven games played. He is also coming off back-to-back 300-yard passing games in Week 16 and Week 17.

However, the Browns rank second in the league in fewest passing yards allowed at 163.8 yards. And when Cleveland faced Cincinnati in the season opener, Burrow completed 14 of 23 passing attempts for 113 yards and one touchdown.

With a receiving duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Browns have to cover their top receivers to limit success of the pass game. Cleveland held Chase to two receptions for 26 yards and Higgins to three receptions for 33 yards in Week 1.

"It's a huge challenge every week in this league, but certainly when you're going up against Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, multiple tight ends," Stefanski said. "Each week presents its own challenges, but this is a unit that's playing, if not the highest, at one of the highest levels on the offensive side of the ball. So, we'll obviously always try to put our guys in position to go make plays. But it comes down to their players versus our players."

How do the Browns pressure QB Joe Burrow?

While the Browns' secondary has to cover to limit the success of the pass game, their front seven can also apply ample pressure on Burrow to limit his ability to get rid of the ball.

Burrow has been sacked 15 times this season through seven games played – and taken at least two sacks in five of those games. When the Browns first faced Burrow in Week 1, they recorded three sacks for a loss of 18 yards. DE Myles Garrett led the charge with two, while DE Isaiah McGuire contributed the third sack.

Burrow also took seven quarterback hits from the Browns in the season opener. LB Carson Schwesinger and LB Devin Bush each added one, while McGuire had two quarterback hits and Garrett recorded three. If the Browns' front seven can shed their blocks on the offensive line and pressure Burrow, they can limit his ability to move the ball downfield.

"You look at their numbers when he's been the quarterback this year, and their top of the league in just about everything – number one in third down and right up there in points and red zone and everything else," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "He's one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. I've always had respect for him, because not only is he a talented player, but he plays tough, uses his weapons, gets out of bad plays and into good plays, he can extend the play, but he can also throw it quick from the pocket."