In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Bearcats move up in the polls. The Cincinnati Bengals remain winless after a close divisional game. Plus, a former Cincinnati Reds pitcher shines in a postseason deciding game.

Cincinnati Football’s win helps them move up in the rankings

Cincinnati Football remains unbeaten in American Athletic Conference play. Beating Houston Football 38-23 on the road this past Saturday. Then-No.25 Cincinnati’s win was part of a weekend that shook up the rankings. With then-No.3 Georgia losing in an upset to South Carolina Football. In the American, Memphis is out of the AP Top 25 after losing to Temple Football.

The Bearcats now rank 21st in the latest AP Top 25 poll. This all comes at a pivot point in the college football season. When the conference title and College Football Playoff race begins in earnest. The Bearcats and Temple are currently tied in the AAC East standings. Cincinnati will face Tulsa Football at home this Saturday at 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPNU.

Close but not enough again for the Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals had another close loss this weekend. Losing 17-23 on the road to the Baltimore Ravens. Dropping to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in AFC North play. Despite the loss, a few Bengals had highlight-worthy performances. While familiar struggles continued to be metaphorical road-blocks for Cincinnati.

For once this season, Cincinnati got on the board first with a touchdown. Thanks to Brandon Wilson’s 92 yard opening kickoff return; the first touchdown of his career. Wilson’s touchdown was the first Bengals touchdown through a kickoff return since 2009. While being the second kickoff returned for a touchdown of this NFL season. Wilson also caught the Bengals onside kick attempt in the fourth. Though he was short of the ten yards needed to avoid a penalty. Effectively giving Baltimore the ball and the victory.

On defense, this was another game where Cincinnati struggled to stop the run. The unit spent most of the fourth quarter on the field. Baltimore wasted little time with their response to Wilson’s touchdown. Through Lamar Jackson’s 21 yard rushing touchdown; part of a historic day for the Ravens quarterback. Nick Vigil was the pivotal Bengals defensive playmaker on Sunday. Vigil snagged an interception moments after Andy Dalton threw one late in the second. On an unfortunate note defensively, Cincinnati lost an already struggling Dre Kirkpatrick to an injury.

Back on offense, Auden Tate gave the Bengals a boost with several impressive catches. Tate and Tyler Boyd helped the Bengals get into first and goal territory. In the drive that effectively began through Vigil’s interception. Ultimately, the Bengals were forced to settle for a field goal. A common occurance for the Bengals throughout this season.

Cincinnati kept Baltimore from scoring in the first drive of the second half. Presenting the Bengals with an opportunity to potentially take the lead. Instead, the Ravens later extended their lead to 23-10 in the fourth. The Bengals finally capitalized on a goal line stand late in the fourth. Through a rushing touchdown by Andy Dalton and Randy Bullock’s extra point. Next up for the Bengals, a home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This coming Sunday starting at 1 PM Eastern on CBS.

Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher delivers in the MLB Postseason

Last Wednesday brought a blast from the not-so-distant past for some Reds fans. With Tanner Rainey appearing in the deciding game of a postseason series. Appearing in Game Five of the National League Divisional Series. Between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Nationals. Rainey pitched 0.2 innings for the Nationals and gave up no runs or hits.

Rainey made his major league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2018. His initial appearances with the Reds were frankly disasterous. Wrapping up the 2018 season with an abysmal 24.43 ERA. With that in mind, it was nice that he had a good postseason outing. Contributing to a team that knocked out the defending National League champions.