In this week’s review, recapping a busy week and weekend for many local teams. From college football championship games and two rivalry games. To a busy week for the Cincinnati Reds front office.

This was the kind of week that makes sports writing so much fun. With no shortage of events to cover and the lead story is debatable. After all, this weekend featured the Crosstown Shootout. College Football conference championships with local implications. Then there was the first round of the Battle of Ohio and Redsfest.

We’ll start with Saturday’s AAC Football Championship Game. As Cincinnati Football lost 29-24 to Memphis Football in Memphis. Losing in Memphis for the second time in eight days. Both teams took advantage of foiled potentially game-changing plays. Cincinnati jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the drive that began with a blundered Memphis onside kick. Cincinnati dropped a would-be touchdown in the first half. While also hurting themselves with Bengals-esque penalties.

Despite these blunders, the Cincinnati Bearcats still fought to the end. The Bearcats had the ball in the final minute of the game. Turning the ball over on downs with an incomplete 4th and long pass. The Birmingham Bowl on January 2nd is next up for No 21. Cincinnati. The Bearcats will face 6-6 Boston College Football in that game. Elsewhere locally, Miami-Ohio Football won the MAC championship. While College Football Playoff bound No.2 Ohio State won the Big Ten title game.

Saturday’s AAC Football Championship Game happened during the Crosstown Shootout. Which would be the undisputed lead story most of the time. With Xavier Basketball beating Cincinnati Basketball 73-66. Continuing their shootout winning streak at the Cintas Center. Xavier didn’t trail in the second half, after the lead changed hands several times in the first. Naji Marshall led the way for Xavier with a career-high tying 31 points. Despite out-rebounding Xavier 41-36, Cincinnati didn’t get rebounds at pivotal moments.

The metaphorical shoe was on the other foot in this year’s shootout. This game had nearly the exact opposite prelude and result of last year’s game. Cincinnati Basketball’s John Brannen was coaching in his first Crosstown Shootout this year. Travis Steele was the rookie last year when Cincinnati won handily at home. Though Cincinnati won last year’s game by a bigger blowout margin.

Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals got back to their losing ways on Sunday. In what could be described this season as typical Bengals fashion. Falling 27-19 on the road to the Cleveland Browns. Hurting themselves with a poorly executed late red zone drive. Along with eight penalties that cost the Bengals 99 yards.

Next for Cincinnati, a 10-3 New England Patriots team that’s playing more like they’re 8-5. The Patriots will roll into Cincinnati after losing Sunday to the Kansas City Chiefs. Now looking to take out their frustrations on the 1-12 Bengals. After seemingly rare back-to-back losses for the Patriots. Sunday’s game at Paul Brown Stadium kicks off at 1 PM Eastern on CBS.

Last but not least, it was a busy week for the Cincinnati Reds. Signing Mike Moustakas to a franchise-record free agent contract. Along with Redsfest, there were deals made and not made before last Monday’s non-tender deadline. Click here for Cincy Sports Journal’s recap of a busy week for the Reds.