Tagovailoa throws 3 TDs as Browns snap 4-game skid, rout Bengals 31-9

Cleveland, OH - Tua Tagovailoa threw for 321 yards and three touchdowns, and the Cleveland Browns snapped a four-game losing streak with a 31-9 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13.

Cleveland entered the game at 4-7 and looking for its first win in five games. Against a Cincinnati team that arrived with a 7-4 record, the Browns established an advantage and continued to create separation over the course of the game. By the closing stretch, Cleveland had turned a much-needed response into a comfortable win.

The Browns finished with 420 offensive yards, including 321 through the air, while recording 19 first downs. Cincinnati produced 284 offensive yards and 15 first downs. The passing difference was especially pronounced: the Bengals finished with 165 yards through the air, barely more than half of Cleveland’s total.

Tagovailoa completed 21 of 32 passes and posted a 129.8 passer rating. His game-long 66-yard completion went to Denzel Boston, who turned two receptions into a game-high 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns. KC Concepcion Jr. added seven catches for 91 yards and caught Tagovailoa’s other touchdown pass, while Jerry Jeudy contributed five receptions for 63 yards.

"We stayed patient and took advantage of the opportunities that were there," Tagovailoa said. "In the red zone, we finished what we started. After the way the last few weeks went, putting together this kind of result means a lot."

Cleveland was perfect on its three red-zone trips, scoring a touchdown each time. Cincinnati reached the red zone once and came away with a field goal. The third-down contrast was similarly wide, with the Browns converting 10 of 16 attempts and the Bengals finishing 3-for-11. Cleveland also converted its only fourth-down attempt, while Cincinnati went 0-for-2.

The Browns complemented their passing production with 99 rushing yards. Quinshon Judkins handled the game’s largest workload on the ground, carrying 20 times for 68 yards. Although Cleveland did not generate a long run - Judkins’ longest gain was eight yards - his repeated involvement gave the offense a steady rushing presence alongside Tagovailoa’s work through the air.

Boston made the most of a limited number of touches, accounting for two of Cleveland’s three receiving touchdowns and averaging more than 46 yards per catch.

"When the ball came my way, I wanted to maximize the opportunity," Boston said. "Tua put us in position to make something happen, and it was good to see the passing game produce the way it did."

Cincinnati never developed the same consistency. Joe Burrow completed 19 of 33 passes for 165 yards and a 70.8 passer rating, with a longest completion of 20 yards. Tee Higgins led the Bengals with seven receptions for 72 yards, while Mike Gesicki caught five passes for 52 yards.

Chase Brown supplied Cincinnati’s most explosive production. He rushed for a game-high 75 yards on 10 attempts, including the game’s longest run at 43 yards. Burrow added 26 yards on five carries as the Bengals finished with 119 rushing yards, 20 more than Cleveland, but Cincinnati’s offense produced only nine points.

"We didn’t sustain enough," Burrow said. "Three of 11 on third down is hard to overcome, and we only got into the red zone once. There were some productive stretches, but not enough of them to change the result."

The Bengals’ defense recorded three sacks compared with one for Cleveland, and neither defense registered an interception. The Browns nevertheless maintained the game’s clear advantage in passing yards, third-down conversions and red-zone touchdowns.

For Cleveland, the result ended a month-long slide and delivered a convincing response at home. The Browns entered Week 13 carrying four consecutive losses; they left with a 22-point victory and their first win since that streak began.

Up Next

The Browns will remain home in Week 14 to face the Atlanta Falcons, while the Bengals return home looking to rebound against the Kansas City Chiefs.