Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals were defeated 20-18 by the Cleveland Browns in their final game of the season. Despite both teams already having been eliminated from playoff contention coming into the game, they came into the contest wanting to end the season on a positive note. For the Bengals, despite the loss, the result didn’t factor into major changes being made by the team. Meanwhile, the Browns fired two-time Coach of the Year winner Kevin Stefanski after the team’s 5-12 finish
During the game, the Bengals had an early lead, but a pair of turnovers resulted in touchdowns for the Browns defense which put Cincinnati in a 14-6 deficit. They regained the lead with under two minutes remaining, but rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders led the Browns down the field for a 49-yard field goal. The Browns kicked the field goal as time expired and came out victorious in a game that featured Myles Garrett setting the new single-season sack record.
Incident With Joe Burrow in Cincinnati Bengals Game
Every year, the NFL and NFL Players Association agree on a set of game-related rules violations that may result in accountability measures. According to the NFL, the purpose of this is “to protect players from unnecessary risk and preserve competitive balance and game integrity.” So far this year, 368 plays have resulted in fines.
One of the Week 18 plays that resulted in a fine involved Bengals star quarterback Joe Burrow. During the first quarter with 56 seconds remaining, Joe Burrow threw a pass intended for Tee Higgins that was deflected at the line of scrimmage, and then caught by Cleveland defender Devin Bush. Bush returned the interception for a touchdown. However, Bush was charged with unsportsmanlike conduct for his celebration during the play. The celebration was deemed to be an “obscene gesture”, despite being the signature celebration of former running back Marshawn Lynch. The 15-yard penalty was enforced after the play. Unfortunately for the Bengals, the flag had no impact on the interception and touchdown.
The touchdown gave the Browns a 7-6 lead, and marked Joe Burrow’s fifth interception of the season. Surprisingly, three of the five interceptions Burrow threw in the 2025 season were returned for touchdowns.
NFL’s Final Decision on Joe Burrow Incident
As a direct result of the unsportsmanlike conduct by Bush on the play, the NFL decided to issue a $10,000 fine against the Cleveland linebacker. Knowing Burrow’s competitive spirit, it’s safe to say he’d rather have avoided the whole incident and not thrown an interception.
In the past, Burrow had said regarding taunting penalties, “Let the guys taunt. ” Taunting penalties have been a big force of emphasis for the NFL for a few years now, and it’s still a fine the NFL announces weekly. Each week during the season, the NFL punishes its players for conduct against the league’s set of game-related rules. One of the elements the NFL is trying to remove from the game is taunting, in spite of Joe Burrow’s wishes. If Bush does not agree with the NFL’s decision, he can appeal the fine and hope it is rescinded.
