The AFC North is heating up before a single snap has been played. And the Cleveland Browns, of all teams, are the ones getting under the Cincinnati Bengals' skin.

Bengals expert Matt Fitzgerald of Stripe Hype was asked a simple question — which team do you most want to beat in 2026? His answer was immediate. Cleveland. And the reasoning behind it was anything but subtle.

"The Browns are always a tough out because of their defense," Fitzgerald said. "Burrow has trouble with them.”

Strong words. But the frustration behind them is real. Since 2020, Cleveland has held a 7-5 record against Cincinnati in the rivalry, including two complete sweeps of the season series and three splits. Myles Garrett has been a nightmare for Burrow specifically, consistently disrupting the timing and rhythm that makes the Bengals quarterback so dangerous when operating cleanly. 

Furthermore, the 2026 schedule puts the two teams together in Weeks 13 and 18. These are back-to-back late-season matchups that could directly shape the AFC playoff picture.

Fitzgerald also took a dig at Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and his team’s QB Deshaun Watson.

“I just can't stand Deshaun Watson. He doesn't deserve to play another down in the NFL… Cleveland is just a despicable football operation on many levels... I hope Watson starts so the Bengals can ruin his confidence and send him to the bench/out of football for good."

The Watson situation in Cleveland is more complicated than Fitzgerald's take allows for. He carries $46 million this season regardless of whether he takes a single snap. 

Yet, none of that changes the fact that the Browns genuinely make life difficult for the Bengals. The defense does not care about cap casualties or quarterback controversies. 

They show up and give the Bengals a hard time, but this time, QB Joe Burrow has confidence in his team.

Joe Burrow Gives His Take on the Bengals’ Roster This Upcoming Season

Burrow is done being cautious. Three missed playoffs, a 6-11 season, and eight games lost to a turf toe injury. And now he is standing in front of reporters, making one of the boldest predictions in the NFL this offseason.

"We're going to go win a lot of games this year and play great and win a Super Bowl," Burrow told reporters after a voluntary workout Wednesday. 

The roster moves back him up. The Bengals traded the No. 10 pick for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, signed pass rusher Boye Mafe to a three-year, $60 million deal, and locked up former Chiefs safety Bryan Cook for approximately $40 million. 

Furthermore, Burrow went further than just praising the moves. 

"I think this is the most talented roster that we've had since I've been here."

It remains to be seen if this Bengals roster can take on the Myles Garrett-led Browns defense this season. 

Do you believe the Bengals can go all the way in 2026? Tell us in the comments.

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Written by

Zaid Quraishi

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi