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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns: PFM Team Comparison

The Cincinnati Bengals hold a major overall advantage over the Cleveland Browns in the current PFM ratings. Cincinnati separates itself through the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

Current PFM Team Scores

Major edgeCIN

Cincinnati Bengals

83.6PFM Team Score#11 NFL
CLE

Cleveland Browns

72.3PFM Team Score#30 NFL
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PFM JUDGMENT

Why PFM Rates the Cincinnati Bengals Higher

The Cincinnati Bengals ask fewer questions at quarterback because Joe Burrow sets the floor of the offense. That stability matters when a game moves away from the opening script. Cleveland's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Cleveland Browns own the stronger defense. More dependable stops give the offense better field position and keep one bad drive from controlling the day.

Cincinnati also brings the more dependable offense. Cincinnati adds the deeper roster. The Cincinnati Bengals still deserves the higher PFM rating.

TEAM DNA COMPARISON

Cincinnati vs. Cleveland Across the Core Pillars

The farther a team reaches, the stronger the rating. Each category also calls out which team has the edge and the exact gap. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team.

CINCincinnati Bengals
CLECleveland Browns
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Cleveland Browns Team DNA comparisonPFM category scores on a 0 to 100 scale. QB Stability: Cincinnati Bengals 88.0, Cleveland Browns 67.9, edge CIN +20.1; Offense: Cincinnati Bengals 88.0, Cleveland Browns 71.6, edge CIN +16.4; Defense: Cincinnati Bengals 76.9, Cleveland Browns 82.2, edge CLE +5.3; Coaching Direction: Cincinnati Bengals 74.3, Cleveland Browns 73.3, edge CIN +1.0; Roster Depth: Cincinnati Bengals 79.3, Cleveland Browns 75.7, edge CIN +3.6. Hover on desktop or tap on mobile to isolate one team at a time.
Hover or tap a team to focus that profile. Use Show Both to bring the overlay back.
THE COUNTERARGUMENT

Cleveland Browns’ Best Argument

The Browns can lean on their defense more than the Bengals can. That creates a better floor when the offense stalls or field position turns against the team. The defense advantage is a real point in Cleveland's favor, but it does not outweigh the rest of the higher-rated team’s advantages. The problem for Cleveland is that Cincinnati counters with the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

COMPLETE COMPARISON

Where Each Team Has the Edge

PFM Team Score

CIN83.6
Cincinnati Bengals 83.6
CLE72.3
Cleveland Browns 72.3
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Overall NFL Rank

CIN#11
Cincinnati Bengals #11
CLE#30
Cleveland Browns #30
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

QB Stability

CIN88.0
Cincinnati Bengals 88.0
CLE67.9
Cleveland Browns 67.9
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Roster Strength

CIN79.3
Cincinnati Bengals 79.3
CLE75.7
Cleveland Browns 75.7
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Coaching Direction

CIN74.3
Cincinnati Bengals 74.3
CLE73.3
Cleveland Browns 73.3
Slight Cincinnati Bengals edge

Recent Performance

CIN86.0
Cincinnati Bengals 86.0
CLE72.4
Cleveland Browns 72.4
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Offense

CIN88.0
Cincinnati Bengals 88.0
CLE71.6
Cleveland Browns 71.6
Major Cincinnati Bengals edge

Defense

CIN76.9
Cincinnati Bengals 76.9
CLE82.2
Cleveland Browns 82.2
Clear Cleveland Browns edge

Franchise Direction

CIN75.4
Cincinnati Bengals 75.4
CLE69.5
Cleveland Browns 69.5
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Explosiveness

CIN84.9
Cincinnati Bengals 84.9
CLE75.9
Cleveland Browns 75.9
Clear Cincinnati Bengals edge

Conference Rank

CIN#5
Cincinnati Bengals #5
CLE#14
Cleveland Browns #14
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

Division Rank

CIN#1
Cincinnati Bengals #1
CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4
Cincinnati Bengals ranks higher

Outlook

CINPlayoff ContenderCLEPlayoff Long Shot
Stronger outlook: Cincinnati Bengals
SCHEDULE CONTEXT

Which Team Has the Tougher Road?

Cincinnati Bengals

Remaining schedule rank: #32

Toughest stretch: New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs

Strongest opponents: Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Commanders

Next five difficulty: 79.2

View Cincinnati Bengals Road Ahead

Cleveland Browns

Remaining schedule rank: #27

Toughest stretch: Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals

Strongest opponents: Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Baltimore Ravens

Next five difficulty: 77.8

View Cleveland Browns Road Ahead

Cleveland has the tougher Road Ahead at No. 27. The strongest opponents include the Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, and Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati also has the more favorable road, which adds to the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.

View the complete all-32 Road Ahead

Ratings and Schedule Freshness

PFM ratings updated November 10, 2026. Schedule data updated November 9, 2026.

How to Read This Comparison

PFM Team Score determines the overall order. The Team DNA comparison puts five core pillars on the same 0–100 scale, while the full rows show every current category.

PFM compares overall team strength rather than predicting one matchup. Road Ahead adds schedule context without changing PFM Team Score.

See the complete PFM NFL Team Rankings and methodology.

PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams