Bengals
Ticket sales are running at an encouraging pace for the Bengals’ Dec. 30 home game against Baltimore, the club’s ticket office reported today. The game is the final regular-season contest on Cincinnati’s schedule.
“Fans are responding to the fact that we are still in contention for the AFC North Division title, and that it’s likely the Baltimore game will carry significant playoff implications,” said Andrew Brown, Bengals’ ticket sales manager. “With continued strong sales through this week and into next week, we are optimistic we can have a full house for the game and local television coverage as well.”
The Bengals have sold out five of seven home games this season, including the most recent one, on Dec. 9 vs. Dallas.
If the Bengals win at Pittsburgh this week and Baltimore loses at home against the N.Y. Giants, the Bengals will be able to win the AFC North with a victory over the Ravens. If the N.Y. Jets lose tonight at Tennessee, a Bengals win at Pittsburgh this week will clinch at least a Wild Card berth for Cincinnati. In any event, the Bengals are assured of being alive for a playoff berth entering the final regular season weekend.
Twitter: From Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals)
Three years ago today we lost a member of our family with the passing of Chris Henry. We remember. #RIPChris
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6:05, Bengals Line, Holy Grail Banks
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What they are saying about AFC North
Playoff picture: If season ended today
NFL.com
Bengals at Patriots
Playoff scenarios
NFL.com
Cincinnati has the upper hand in the wild-card race, but …: The Bengals currently have a one-game lead on Pittsburgh in the AFC North and 1.5-game edge on the Jets (who play Monday night). However, Cincinnati still faces what amounts to a must-win next week in Pittsburgh — if the Steelers get to 9-7, the Bengals could only qualify if the Colts lose out to finish 9-7 as well.
There remain a lot of scenarios that could play out for the AFC’s final wild-card spots, but that Cincinnati-Pittsburgh game has massive implications.
Another win seems improbable for free-falling Ravens
CBS Sports
If the Baltimore Ravens thought changing offensive coordinators would shake them out of a late-season funk, I've got news: It won't. In fact, the Ravens were so bad in Jim Caldwell's debut as a play-caller that you have to wonder the once unimaginable -- namely, do these guys win again?
Report Card: Steelers earn a C-
Pittsburgh Post Gazette
COACHING
Bad fundamentals and poor decisions were as much to blame for this loss as anything. Yes, Romo took advantage of a depleted secondary, but the Steelers were in position to win the game when the offense and special teams had breakdowns at the wrong time. This is four losses in five games for a team that kept talking about a late-season run. It's become apparent the players are deluding themselves.
GRADE: D
Steelers toss away lead, game against Cowboys
Pittsburgh Tribune Live
he openly questioned Todd Haley‘s play calls. Asked why Miller (seven catches, 92 yards) didn‘t see the ball late, he said, “I don‘t think we called the right plays to get him the ball.”
He also said it was “disappointing” to get out of the no-huddle that was working. And he also said he and Miller improvised on their 30-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the first half because, “The play that was called wasn‘t a good play at all against a prevent defense. So we made up a play.”
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Reds
Reds' draft pick in critical condition
MLB.com
According to a report from the San Angelo Standard-Times, Felt, 18, was driving his truck a little after 10 a.m. on Interstate 10 and began drifting toward the shoulder and then overcorrected the vehicle, causing it to cross over both lanes of traffic before flipping over.
Felt is considered to be in critical but stable condition, but his father, Roger Felt, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Standard-Times report.
Power Rankings
ESPN
2. Cincinnati Reds (97-65, plus-81)
The Reds solved their big hole in the leadoff position by acquiring Shin-Soo Choo, and Jack Hannahan and Jason Donald will improve a bench that carried Miguel Cairo and Wilson Valdez in 2012. The biggest move, however, will be the transition of Aroldis Chapman to the rotation, with Jonathan Broxton taking over as closer. The Reds' rotation was outstanding in 2012, but also went through the season without the five starters missing a single start. But the Reds do have depth here in case Chapman falters or Bronson Arroyo regresses from a strong 2012.
Strengths: Joey Votto; rotation depth; bullpen depth.
Weaknesses: outfield defense with Choo in center; some players -- Ryan Ludwick, Todd Frazier, Johnny Cueto -- will have to repeat their big seasons.
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UC
The last college hoops unbeaten will be?
WDRB.com
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – Eight days ‘til Christmas, one for every unbeaten team in college basketball -- after a weekend when the Indiana, Florida and Eastern Kentucky ornaments were knocked off the tree. Who will be the last unbeaten? Time to rank the contenders:
Jermaine Lawrence visiting Cincinnati this weekend.
How about this?
New Texas Tech coach Kliff Kinsbury throws down the gauntlet on UC and Tommy Tuberville. Kingsbury news conference Friday.
From Red Raider Outfitter:
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More honors for Thomas More's Autenrieb
(CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky.) - Thomas More College senior defensive back Zach Autenrieb (Cincinnati, Ohio) has been named to the D3football.com All-America Team and the AP Little All-America Team.
Autenrieb was a second team selection on both All-America teams. He was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America Team last week and one of four finalists for the 2012 Gagliardi Trophy. He was also the 2012 Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC) Player of the Year and was to the D3football.com All-South Region first team.
Autenrieb had 48 tackles (36 solo, 12 assisted), including a half tackle for a loss, NCAA Division III-leading eight interceptions, five pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery this season. Two of his interceptions were returned for a touchdown. With his eight interceptions he finished his career with 32 interceptions, which is the new NCAA Division III career interception record.
