Cleveland Browns did what? And still lost the game? Say it ain't so!

Rodney Knuppel

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Cleveland Browns did what? And still lost the game? Say it ain't so! image

Oh man, the folks in Cleveland are waking up Monday knowing they lost a prime opportunity to not only start the season 1-0, but also put their biggest rival, their in-state rival, 0-1.

But, Cleveland. In true Cleveland sports fashion, the Cleveland Browns dominated the game and lost.

What the Browns did is hard to even imagine. Cleveland held the Cincinnati Bengals to just seven total yards in the second half of the game. It's the fewest by a winning team over the last 25 years.

From ESPN Research: The Browns held the Bengals to 7 yards in the second half. It's the fewest yds in the second half by a winning team in the last 25 years.

Cleveland outgained Cincinnati, 327-141, and doubled up on first downs (22-11) in the one-point loss.

— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) September 7, 2025

In all, the Browns outgained the Bengals 327-141.  Cleveland also had 22 first downs, while the Bengals had 11.

This is going to be known as the Andre Szmyt game. In his first game as a member of the Cleveland Browns, he missed a pair of second-half kicks. He originally won the kicking competition over Dustin Hopkins, but a missed extra point, and then a missed 36-yard field goal sealed the fate for Cleveland.

 MORE: DeAndre Hopkins candidate for NFL catch of the year for Baltimore Ravens

Offensively, Cleveland saw veteran Joe Flacco toss for 290 yards and a touchdown. He threw two interceptions and was sacked twice as well. Jerry Jeudy led the team with 66 yards.

For Cincinnati, Joe Burrow had just 113 passing yards, and Ja'Marr Chase was held to just two catches for 26 yards.

Next up for the Browns is a trip to Baltimore to face the Ravens. Cincinnati will head home and take on the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.