To call this a Cinderella Season for the Cincinnati Bengals would be understating what they’ve done. At 10-6, they’ve clinched a playoff spot in Joe Burrow’s second year. They’re a team that is expected to be good week in and week out after having very few expectations heading into the season, and they have an outside shot at winning the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
On Sunday, the Bengals play the Browns, who turned into a pumpkin after beating the Steelers in the playoffs last year before losing in the Divisional Round. They’re 7-9 heading into the final week of the year, and the rumor mill is churning faster than the Browns can keep up. Between COVID protocols and injuries, the Browns have battled a lot of outside forces, but baseless speculation when expectations aren’t being met is the price of success in the NFL.
This game is a bit of a get-right game for the Bengals, who were smoked 41-16 by the Browns back in November. They’re 5-2 since then, and coming off of a huge 34-31 win over the Chiefs. Joe Burrow outdueled Patrick Mahomes, throwing for 446 yards and four touchdowns in his second straight banner performance. It’s the kind of performance the Bengals need to win a playoff game, something they haven’t done since the 1990 Wild Card Game.
The Browns, meanwhile, just need to take stock. There’s a lot to figure out this offseason, and one of the victims of the aforementioned rumor mill is quarterback Baker Mayfield. Mayfield has struggled this year, and until the Browns make it clear they’re staying with him his name will likely continue to be floated out in trade talks. Sunday will give him a chance to redeem himself from a brutal Monday Night performance against the Steelers in which he was clearly injured. A good game might quell some of the talks heading into the offseason.
Here’s what you need to know to watch Bengals vs. Browns this Sunday, including kickoff time, TV channels, and the full Week 18 NFL schedule.
MORE: Watch Bengals vs. Browns live with fuboTV (free trial)
What channel is Bengals vs. Browns on today?
- TV channel (national): Fox
- TV channel (Cincinnati): WXIX
- TV channel (Cleveland): WJW
- Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, fuboTV
Bengals vs. Browns will be broadcast regionally on local Fox affiliate channels in Week 18. Fox will have Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma calling this game, alongside Lindsay Czarniak on the sidelines. Mike Pereira and Dean Blandino will provide rules analysis for Fox.
You can find the Bengals’ away broadcast on SiriusXM channel 383, while the Browns’ home broadcast airs on channel 228.
In Canada, viewers can watch Bengals vs. Browns with a subscription to DAZN, which includes every NFL game.
Bengals vs. Browns start time
- Date: Sunday, Jan. 9
- Kickoff: 1 p.m. EST
Bengals vs. Browns is scheduled to start at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. Local markets, Kansas City, and the Northeastern United States will get this game in Fox’s early spot.
Cincinnati Bengals schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | vs. Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | at Bears | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | at Steelers | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 4 | Sept. 30 | vs. Jaguars | 8:20 p.m. ET | Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | vs. Packers | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | at Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 24 | at Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | at Jets | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | vs. Browns | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | BYE | ———— | ——— |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | at Raiders | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | vs. Steelers | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | vs. Chargers | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | vs. 49ers | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 19 | at Broncos | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 16 | Dec. 26 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 17 | Jan. 2 | vs. Chiefs | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | at Browns | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
Cleveland Browns schedule 2021
| Week | Date | Opponent | Kickoff time | TV |
| 1 | Sept. 12 | at Chiefs | 4:25 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 2 | Sept. 19 | vs. Texans | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 3 | Sept. 26 | vs. Bears | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 4 | Oct. 3 | at Vikings | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 5 | Oct. 10 | at Chargers | 4:05 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 6 | Oct. 17 | vs. Cardinals | 4:05 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 7 | Oct. 21 | vs. Broncos | 8:20 p.m. ET | Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video |
| 8 | Oct. 31 | vs. Steelers | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 9 | Nov. 7 | at Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 10 | Nov. 14 | at Patriots | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 11 | Nov. 21 | vs. Lions | 1 p.m. ET | Fox |
| 12 | Nov. 28 | at Ravens | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC |
| 13 | Dec. 5 | BYE | —————— | —— |
| 14 | Dec. 12 | vs. Ravens | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
| 15 | Dec. 18 | vs. Raiders | 4:30 p.m. ET | NFL Network |
| 16 | Dec. 25 | at Packers | 4:30 p.m. ET | Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video |
| 17 | Jan. 3 | at Steelers | 8:15 p.m. ET | ESPN |
| 18 | Jan. 9 | vs. Bengals | 1 p.m. ET | CBS |
What channel is 49ers vs. Rams on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL Week 18 game
What channel is 49ers vs. Rams on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL Week 18 game
Why are the Bengals resting Joe Burrow, starters vs. Browns?
Why are the Bengals resting Joe Burrow, starters vs. Browns?
NFL receiving yards record: How Cooper Kupp can pass Calvin Johnson in Week 18
NFL receiving yards record: How Cooper Kupp can pass Calvin Johnson in Week 18
What channel is Packers vs. Lions on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL Week 18 game
What channel is Packers vs. Lions on today? Time, TV schedule for NFL Week 18 game
