The Cincinnati Bengals dropped to 6-11 as they ended the season with a 28-10 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The Bengals went down 14-6 in the second quarter after a pair of turnovers were returned for touchdowns by the Browns defense.
Despite the issues against the Browns defense, the Bengals rallied in the second half. With 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter, Joe Burrow connected with Ja’Marr Chase on a touchdown as the Bengals took a one-point lead. They then went for the 2-point conversion and failed. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders then led a 10-play, 40-yard drive to get the Browns in field-goal range. A 49-yard field goal by Andre Szmyt gave the Browns the lead as time expired.
Bengals Player Facing Punishment
Every year, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures. According to the NFL, the purpose of this is “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” So far this year entering Week 18, 347 plays have resulted in fines.
Defensive end Cedric Johnson may be one of those players who gets fined for his actions during the game. With 9:44 remaining in the second quarter, Johnson pressured quarterback Shedeur Sanders and made contact with his head and neck area. The contact was deemed enough to warrant a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. In Week 17, a similar action by New York Jets player Jermaine Johnson warranted a $17,389 with the fine category being “A hit on a quarterback” and the description being “Blow to the head/neck.”
The contact was marginal, which hopefully results in the NFL ultimately deciding not to punish the young Bengals pass-rusher. If he is fined, the money would go towards “The Professional Athletes Foundation to support Legends in need and the NFL Foundation to further support the health, safety and wellness of athletes across all levels, including youth football and the communities that support the game”
The NFL announces its fines on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Following the announcement, Johnson may choose to appeal. If he were to appeal his case would be “heard by appeals officers and former NFL players, Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL/NFLPA. The decisions made are final and binding.”
Fortunately for Johnson, it was not all negative in the game as he registered a sack on Shedeur Sanders. He finished the year with a sack in each of the last two games.
Cincinnati Bengals Regular Season Finale
The regular season finale featured no postseason ramifications for either team as both had long since been eliminated. However, the story heading into the game was about pass-rusher Myles Garrett. With 22 sacks, people tuned it to see if he could set a new single-season sack record. He managed that feat as he sacked Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow in the fourth quarter.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, their 6-11 season marks the worst since 2020. It ended their four-year streak of winning seasons, and extended their three-year postseason drought.
Bengals Player Facing Punishment For Actions During Loss to Browns