CLE
Cleveland Browns
72.3PFM Team Score#30 NFL
Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals: PFM Team Comparison
PFM rates the Cincinnati Bengals higher than the Cleveland Browns overall, with a major advantage. The main reasons are the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense.
Current PFM Team Scores
Major edgeCIN
Cincinnati Bengals
83.6PFM Team Score#11 NFL
PFM JUDGMENT
Why PFM Rates the Cincinnati Bengals Higher
Quarterback is the clearest separator. Joe Burrow gives Cincinnati more certainty than the Cleveland Browns have at the position. Cleveland's strongest counterargument is Defense. The Cleveland Browns have the more dependable defense. It does not need the offense to answer every possession to keep control of a game.
Cincinnati also brings the more dependable offense. Cincinnati adds the deeper roster. That is enough to keep the Cincinnati Bengals ahead.
TEAM DNA COMPARISON
Cleveland vs. Cincinnati 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.
CLECleveland Browns
CINCincinnati Bengals
THE COUNTERARGUMENT
Cleveland Browns’ Best Argument
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. That is why the overall gap is smaller than the score first suggests. Cincinnati still answers with the steadier quarterback room and the more dependable offense, which keeps the overall judgment in place.
COMPLETE COMPARISON
Where Each Team Has the Edge
PFM Team Score
CLE72.3
Cleveland Browns 72.3CIN83.6
Cincinnati Bengals 83.6Overall NFL Rank
CLE#30
Cleveland Browns #30CIN#11
Cincinnati Bengals #11QB Stability
CLE67.9
Cleveland Browns 67.9CIN88.0
Cincinnati Bengals 88.0Roster Strength
CLE75.7
Cleveland Browns 75.7CIN79.3
Cincinnati Bengals 79.3Coaching Direction
CLE73.3
Cleveland Browns 73.3CIN74.3
Cincinnati Bengals 74.3Recent Performance
CLE72.4
Cleveland Browns 72.4CIN86.0
Cincinnati Bengals 86.0Offense
CLE71.6
Cleveland Browns 71.6CIN88.0
Cincinnati Bengals 88.0Defense
CLE82.2
Cleveland Browns 82.2CIN76.9
Cincinnati Bengals 76.9Franchise Direction
CLE69.5
Cleveland Browns 69.5CIN75.4
Cincinnati Bengals 75.4Explosiveness
CLE75.9
Cleveland Browns 75.9CIN84.9
Cincinnati Bengals 84.9Conference Rank
CLE#14
Cleveland Browns #14CIN#5
Cincinnati Bengals #5Division Rank
CLE#4
Cleveland Browns #4CIN#1
Cincinnati Bengals #1Outlook
CLEPlayoff Long ShotCINPlayoff Contender
Stronger outlook: Cincinnati BengalsSCHEDULE CONTEXT
Which Team Has the Tougher Road?
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 AheadCincinnati 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 AheadCleveland 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.
Explore Both Team Dashboards
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.
PFM ratings updated
How PFM grades NFL teams