Both teams are members of the American Football Conference (AFC) North Division, and play two games against each other annually.

Columbus serves as battleground territory for the rivalry, with the Browns dominating the fanbase North and East of the state capital.

In 1963, Brown was fired by new team owner Art Modell, and subsequently went on to found the Bengals, who played their first AFL season in 1968.

The Browns beat Gregg and the Bengals in both meetings that year, including a division-clinching 27–24 win in Cincinnati.

[2] In the season ending clinching game, Thom Darden used a forearm tackle to the face of Pat McInally.

[3] McInally was unconscious for about 10 minutes and left the field on a stretcher, but he returned in the second half to make three receptions for 86 yards, including a game-tying touchdown.

On December 14, 1986, the Browns routed the Bengals 34–3 at Riverfront Stadium to clinch the AFC Central division title.

The Seahawks were deep in their own territory, and citing safety concerns, refused to continue play until the field was cleared.

Bengals head coach Sam Wyche got on the stadium's public address system and told the fans: "Will the next person that sees anybody throw anything onto this field, point them out, and get them out of here.

Under head coach Bill Belichick, the Browns dominated the series during these years, going 8–2, including a seven-game winning streak from 1992 to 1995.

The game featured the first successful two-point conversion in NFL history, when Cleveland punter Tom Tupa ran into the end zone on a fake extra point attempt.

Rookie quarterback Akili Smith led the Bengals on a 12-play touchdown drive in the final 2:04 to deny the Browns their first win.

In that game, Browns kicker Phil Dawson scored a rushing touchdown on a fake field goal play.

On December 12, the Bengals defeated the Browns 44–28 in the last game at Riverfront Stadium (at the time renamed Cinergy Field).

After that game, Browns' head coach Butch Davis resigned amid a long losing streak and disappointing 4–12 season.

The Bengals swept the Browns in the 2009 season, while also sweeping the rest of the AFC North en route to a division title.

Dalton made his first career start as a rookie in Cleveland, a 27–17 Bengals win, the first of many dominating performances.

One exception to Dalton's dominance in the rivalry occurred on November 6, 2014, where the Browns defeated the Bengals 24–3 in Cincinnati.

In his second career start against the Bengals, Mayfield continued his dominance by throwing for 284 yards and three touchdowns in a Browns 26–18 victory in week 16, and also taunted Jackson by staring him down along the sideline.