The Bengals — playing their first game under new defensive coordinator Al Golden — got the huge plays on a day when the offense sputtered in the second half.
Cincinnati, which won an opener for the first time since 2021, also benefitted from new Cleveland kicker Andre Szmyt missing a pair of second-half kicks.
Szmyt, won the kicking competition from Dustin Hopkins in the preseason, was wide right on an extra point after Cedric Tillman's 5-yard TD reception midway through the third quarter put Cleveland up 16-14.
Szmyt was wide right again on a potential go-ahead 36-yard attempt with 2:25 remaining in the game.