So, you’re looking for the score of the Cleveland Browns game today. You probably pulled up Google, typed in the question, and expected to see a big, bold box with a final score and some highlights of Myles Garrett wrecking a backfield.
Here is the thing.
The Browns didn't play today. Actually, the Browns won't be playing for quite a while.
The Cleveland Browns wrapped up their 2025-2026 NFL season on January 4, 2026. If you're looking for a fresh score right now on January 15, you’re basically a week and a half late to the party. Their season finale was a nail-biter against the Cincinnati Bengals, and it ended with a 20-18 victory for the Dawg Pound.
It's kinda wild how the NFL schedule works once you hit mid-January. If you aren't in the playoffs, you're basically invisible until the Draft. And for Cleveland fans, the "offseason" started early this year because the team finished with a 5-12 record. No playoffs. No Wild Card drama. Just a lot of questions about what happens next.
The Cleveland Browns Score Today: Breaking Down the Final Game
Even though there isn't a game happening this afternoon, that final win over the Bengals is still the "current" result everyone is talking about in Northeast Ohio. It was a weird one. Honestly, it was the kind of game that summarizes the whole Browns experience: stressful, slightly chaotic, but ultimately showing a flash of what could have been.
Let's look at the actual numbers from that January 4th season finale:
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The Browns won 20-18.
They did it on the road at Paycor Stadium.
Andre Szmyt—remember that name—nailed a 49-yard field goal as time expired.
Before that kick, Joe Burrow had actually put the Bengals ahead 18-17 with only 1:29 left on the clock. It felt like another "classic Browns" loss was loading. But Shedeur Sanders, who took over the reins this season, managed a 10-play, 40-yard drive to get them into field goal range.
Myles Garrett also made history in that game. He set the franchise single-season sack record, which is probably the biggest silver lining for a team that only managed five wins all year.
Why People are Confused About the Schedule
It’s easy to get mixed up. We are currently in the middle of the NFL Divisional Round playoffs. Because other teams are playing high-stakes games today and throughout the weekend—like the Rams and the Bears—people naturally assume their home team might be on the field too.
Unless you’re a die-hard who tracks every standings change, you might have missed that Cleveland was mathematically eliminated from the postseason weeks ago. The AFC North was a gauntlet this year. Between the Ravens and the Bengals (even with Cincinnati's struggles), there just wasn't enough room for a 5-12 team to sneak in.
What's Next for the Dawg Pound?
Since the Cleveland Browns score today is nonexistent, fans are pivotting to the "What Now?" phase. Kevin Stefanski is staying put for now, but the coaching staff is already seeing some churn. We’ve seen other teams like the Eagles shaking up their coordinators, and Cleveland is expected to do the same to fix an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in EPA (Expected Points Added) per play.
Basically, the "score" that matters now isn't on a scoreboard—it's on the draft board.
The Browns are looking at a top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. That’s where the real wins will happen.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you should actually be watching for:
The Senior Bowl is coming up in early February. This is where the Browns scouts will be looking for the next lockdown corner or a tackle who can actually protect the blindside.
Free agency starts in March. Cleveland has some cap space, but they have to be smart. No more "swing for the fences" trades that cripple the future.
The 2026 opponents are already set. We know they’ll be facing the AFC South and the NFC East next season.
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So, if you were hoping to crack a beer and watch a game today, you might have to settle for watching the divisional rivals play instead. It’s not ideal, but it’s the reality of a 5-12 season.
Keep an eye on the injury reports and the early mock drafts. That’s where the real Cleveland Browns news is going to live for the next six months. If you're looking for the next time they actually suit up, you're looking at August 2026 for the preseason. It’s a long wait, but that’s football in Cleveland.
Your Immediate Next Steps:
Check the updated 2026 NFL Draft order to see exactly where Cleveland lands after the tie-breakers are settled. You should also look at the pending free agent list for the Browns; players like Jedrick Wills Jr. and others have big decisions coming up that will dictate how the roster looks in six months.