The Browns are ready to open the regular season against the Bengals at 1 p.m. on Sept. 7 at Huntington Bank Field.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said the Browns are healthy heading into their game against their divisional opponent, giving them a chance to evaluate their squad from the get-go. A Browns' win on Sunday will put Cleveland at 1-0 on the season and in the AFC North.
"I think anytime you open up against a division opponent, you don't want to say it's that much more important because they're all important, but these division games, they can be tough," QB Joe Flacco said on Sept. 3. "They're going to be a battle till the end, so you just have to make sure you're ready to go. I think the way we prepare this week will kind of tell us a lot about ourselves."
With the season opener just a day away, here are three burning questions that will be answered on Sunday:
Can the Browns move the ball through the ground and air?
Against a Bengals team that held the Browns to 20 points last season, whether the Browns can get the pass and run game going will be crucial to their chances on Sunday.
The Browns open the 2025 season with QB Joe Flacco and RB Jerome Ford both players who are well-versed. Flacco started five games for the Browns in 2023, helping guide them to the playoffs. Ford has stepped in as a starter at running back at various points in his career, including starting the beginning of last season while former Browns RB Nick Chubb was out.
The last game Flacco played in Cleveland, he threw for 309 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-20 win against the Jets on Dec. 28. In the same game, Ford ran for 64 yards but caught two passes for two touchdowns, including a 50-yard catch and run to the end zone.
The Browns demonstrated an ability to run the ball during the 2025 preseason, running for 342 yards in their three games, scoring two touchdowns on the ground. The Browns also threw for more than 200 yards in their final two preseason games.
The players that the Browns will run out on offense first against the Bengals had limited run in the preseason, though, mostly only playing against the Rams. In the preseason finale, Flacco completed 90 percent of his passes for 71 yards and a touchdown against the Rams. Ford ran the ball twice for 14 yards and caught the ball twice for five yards. TE David Njoku, another offensive weapon for Flacco, had 20 yards on two receptions.
"I think for us on the offensive side of the ball, it's just mastering our game plan and mastering the things that we can do to kind of play our role and do the best we can on our side of the ball," Flacco said.
Browse photos of the Cleveland Browns practicing at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus as they prepare for their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Punter Corey Bojorquez (13) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger (52) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Carson Schwesinger (49) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Cedric Tillman (19) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Blake Whiteheart (86) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) and Bill Willis Diversity Fellow Michael Bearden during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Denzel Ward (21) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive back Jarrick Bernard-Converse (20) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Head Coach Kevin Stefanski during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Dylan Sampson (22) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Myles Harden (26) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Devin Bush (30) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Luke Wypler (56) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) and Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive guard Joel Bitonio (75) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Center Ethan Pocic (55) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Dawand Jones (79) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Ronnie Hickman Jr. (33) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver DeAndre Carter (2) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle KT Leveston (72) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive lineman Cole Strange (69) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Raheim Sanders (35) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safety Damontae Kazee (23) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (44) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Defensive end Alex Wright (91) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Running back Ahmani Marshall (39) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Malachi Corley (83) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Tight end David Njoku (85) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Cornerback LaMareon James (27) and Defensive Line Coach Jacques Cesaire during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Rayshawn Jenkins (5) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Safeties Coach Ephraim Banda during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Tight end Brenden Bates (82) and Tight end Sal Cannella (87) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Jerome Ford (34) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Offensive tackle Cornelius Lucas (71) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Wide receiver Jamari Thrash (80) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (90) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Safety Christopher Edmonds (41) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Linebacker Mohamoud Diabate (43) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Myles Garrett (95) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Edefuan Ulofoshio (54) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Isaiah Bond (16) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mason Graham (94) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Running back Trayveon Williams (36) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive tackle Maliek Collins (96) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Linebacker Jerome Baker (17) and Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Andrew Berry during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 3, 2025.
Kicker Andre Szmyt (25) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 4, 2025.
Quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Cameron Thomas (99) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive end Sam Kamara (92) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive lineman Adin Huntington (98) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Quarterback Joe Flacco (15) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. (51) and Defensive tackle Shelby Harris (93) during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach Dale Jones during practice at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on September 5, 2025.
How will the Browns fare against the 1-2 duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins?
Last season, Bengals wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins combined for 23 receptions and 292 yards in their two games against the Browns. However, only Higgins surpassed his season average for receiving yards in any of those games. In the first matchup between Cleveland and Cincinnati, he had 82 receiving yards while the Browns' secondary held Chase, a 2024 First-Team All-Pro, under his usual production.
Cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Greg Newsome II will head the Browns' secondary and be the primary corners in charge of covering Chase and Higgins. The pair's most successful game against the Bengals receiving duo came last time the Browns and Bengals met in a season opener in 2023. The Browns limited Chase to five receptions for 39 yards and kept Higgins without a single catch on eight targets, winning 24-3.
"Those are top guys at their positions, and they have great offense and a great team," Ward said. "I mean just going in with confidence. I'm at the top of my position as well so I'm looking forward to the matchup and just going in there and competing and like I said, most importantly trying to get the win. That's what I'm most focused on."
Behind Ward and Newsome are safeties Grant Delpit and Ronnie Hickman providing an extra layer of support for the pass defense. Delpit chalked up slowing down Chase and Higgins to slowing down the man throwing them the ball – QB Joe Burrow. He said that if the defensive line puts pressure on Burrow, then it will be a fun game for the secondary. Delpit said that Burrow attacks the guys he trusts frequently, meaning he'll be looking to connect with Chase, someone he's played with for six years between college and the NFL.
"It's always fun to play against Ja'Marr (Chase)," Delpit said. "They have a lot of weapons over there, but so do we. I think they know what we have going on (in the secondary)."
What kind of pressure will the Browns bring on QB Joe Burrow?
Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz is known for his attack first defense. With Delpit emphasizing the need to pressure Burrow, Schwartz's style of defense is built to do that.
DE Myles Garrett will be a factor in getting to the quarterback after two consecutive seasons of being named an AP First-Team All-Pro and 14 sacks. Although Burrow is able to move out of the pocket, if need be, Garrett said that Burrow won't be able to get away from him. Beyond wanting to sack Burrow, Garrett said he has an admiration for the Bengals quarterback.
"(Joe Burrow) is just very calm, very supportive of his teammates. Always see him running up to them and celebrating their success," Garrett said. "A hell of a competitor, but not a big vocal in your face guy. And he competes, I would say the right way and just have fun doing it."
Behind Garrett and the defensive line, how Schwartz uses blitzes in the game plan against the Bengals will play another factor in pressuring Burrow. Against a quarterback like Burrow though, who has the ability to get the ball out fast, there's little room for error when sending a blitz.
"That's the key where when we're activated by Coach (Jim) Schwartz and our different schemes, we have to be on point," linebackers coach Jason Tarver said. "We can't be hesitating, can't be late in our roll-offs that we call them on the line of scrimmage. You have to roll because the ball's out if you don't."
