In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Bengals kick off their season. With a 16-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers at home. FC Cincinnati ends a streak while the Cincinnati Reds have a mixed week.

2020 Cincinnati Bengals make their first game-day impressions

Football is back in full swing in the Greater Cincinnati area. Kentucky’s high school football season began this past weekend. A few college teams of regional interest kicked off their seasons on Saturday. While the Cincinnati Bengals began Sunday at a spectator-less Paul Brown Stadium. After an unorthodox off-season at all levels due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The first quarter was a mostly quiet one offensively for Cincinnati and Los Angeles. Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow broke the impasse with a rushing touchdown late in the first. The first of his NFL career and the biggest highlight of his debut. Burrow seems less afraid to run with the ball compared to his predecessor Andy Dalton. Cincinnati and Los Angeles’ defensive units had strong debuts. The Chargers put pressure on Burrow as expected. However, he managed to avoid being consistently pummeled.

Former Bengal Nick Vigil shined in his Cincinnati reunion. Through snagging a fourth quarter rare Joe Mixon fumble. Giving Los Angeles an opportunity to get their first lead of the game. The game was tied at 13 at that time. The fumble was part of a mixed day for Mixon overall.

Mixon also caught Burrow’s first completion of his NFL career. Melvin Ingram snagged an interception for the Chargers with 5:13 left in the fourth. Marking Burrow’s first thrown interception of his NFL career. Cincinnati’s defense disrupted multiple Chargers red zone stands. Forcing them to kick field goals; one disrupting a potential game tying drive. Another in the fourth set Cincinnati up for a game winning drive opportunity. Down 16-13 with less than nine minutes left in the game.

Cincinnati receivers had a mixed day overall too. A.J. Green and John Ross missed pivotal second half catches. Missing out on three would be touchdowns as a result. A John Ross reception put the Bengals in decent field position. Part of a wild sequence of plays involving Ross during Cincinnati’s two minute drill. He followed it up with a false start penalty. Along with a Ross reception that was overturned after a review.

This was followed up by a Tyler Boyd reception. Good for a first down that put Cincinnati in field goal range. Afterwards, Burrow threw a few lightning quick completions in their late scoring effort. A pass to Giovani Bernard made it first and goal. At the Chargers three yard line with 12 seconds left.

A pass interference penalty on A.J. Green called off a would be touchdown. Calling off a third would be touchdown opportunity for the Bengals. Forcing Randy Bullock to try a 31 yard game winning field goal with seven seconds left. The field goal which left Bullock limping was unsuccessful. As the Chargers leave Cincinnati with a season opening victory.

The Bengals don’t have much time to adjust after Sunday’s loss. Facing their cross-state and division rival Cleveland Browns this Thursday. In their first road and prime time game of the season. Giving Cincinnati the task of avoiding their prime time woes. While striving for their first win of this season. Thursday’s game kicks off at 8:20 PM Eastern on NFL Network. In Cincinnati, the game will be simulcast on WKRC-TV.

FC Cincinnati ends their goal scoring drought

Elsewhere in local sports news, FC Cincinnati snapped their goal-less streak on Saturday. Through a Brandon Vasquez goal in the 74th minute. However, they were unable to snap their win-less streak. Losing 2-1 on the road against NYC FC; both of NYC FC’s goals came before Vasquez’s goal. FC Cincinnati has yet to win a match since returning from the MLS is Back Tournament. Last Saturday’s match was the first of back-to-back matches at New York’s Red Bull Arena. FCC will face the New York Red Bulls this Saturday at 7 PM Eastern time.

Cincinnati Reds gear up for a pivotal week

The Cincinnati Reds had a mixed week; Losing two out three games against the Chicago Cubs. While winning two out of three against the St.Louis Cardinals this past weekend. The Reds have a chance to get some big and much needed wins this week. With a four game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates starting with a Monday double-header. Pittsburgh goes into Monday in last place in the National League Central; one loss away from a losing season. The Reds follow that series with a three game weekend series against the hot Chicago White Sox. The White Sox go into this week in first place in the American League Central.