The Cincinnati Bengals and the Cleveland Browns will meet at Huntington Bank Field on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET to kick off their 2025 NFL regular seasons.

The Bengals boast a dubious mark in Week 1 matchups over the past three seasons. Last year, they lost to New England 16-10, and started the year 0-1. In 2023, it was these Browns that were victorious in Week 1, 24-3. Then, in 2022, Cincinnati fell to the Steelers 23-20 in the opener.

A three-game losing streak in openers is alarming for the Bengals, and for any team. A slow start to the year is difficult for any team to overcome, and playing catch-up during an NFL season is almost impossible. What’s worse, Cincinnati is 7-14-1 in September games under coach Zac Taylor. That’s the fourth-worst mark among all teams since 2019. Last time these two teams meet, the Bengals walked out of Paycor Stadium 24-6 winners on Dec. 22, 2024.

Joe Burrow enters his sixth season after leading the league in completions (460), passing yards (4,918) and touchdown passes (43) last year. He’s lost four of his last five starts against Cleveland, but won both last year while throwing five touchdowns and no interceptions. Burrow is just 1-4 in Week 1 games with no touchdown passes in the past two seasons in the opener.

Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has posted nine sacks against Burrow, the most against any quarterback. Last year, Garrett led the league with 22 tackles for loss, was second with 14 sacks and fourth with an 18.7 pressure rate. He’s also the only player in the NFL with double-digit sacks in each of the last seven years.