In this week’s review, the Cincinnati Bengals get an unexpected win. No.6 Cincinnati Football boosts their College Football Playoff hopes. While FC Cincinnati ends an era with a familiar result.

The Football Review: Two wins over two Tennessee teams

Two Cincinnati football teams got home wins this weekend. Coming at the expense of teams from the state of Tennessee. The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Tennessee Titans 31-20 on Sunday. While it was all treats this Halloween for Cincinnati Football. Walloping defending American Athletic Conference champions Memphis Football 49-10 last Saturday.

Expectations were not high for the Bengals going into Sunday. Since the Bengals were facing a Titans team fresh from their first loss of the season. A team that barreled their way into last season’s AFC Championship Game. Meanwhile, the Bengals were grappling with a depleted offensive line. Along with a defense that routinely undercuts rookie quarterback Joe Burrow’s strong performances. Plus, trade speculation and the aftermath of Carlos Dunlap’s departure. Ultimately, the Bengals exceeded expectations with their best game of the season to date.

The Bengals patchwork offense made it work with a relatively balanced game. Getting two rushing and two receiving touchdowns on Sunday. Their rushing touchdowns came from Giovani Bernard and Samaje Perine. Bernard is continuing to step up in Joe Mixon’s absense. Leading the Bengals with 15 carries and 62 rushing yards. Perine had his best game of the season with ten carries and 32 rushing yards. Giovani Bernard and Tyler Boyd scored the Bengals two receiving touchdowns.

Cincinnati’s defense managed to hold on to a consistent lead. A seemingly rare feat for the Bengals defense this season. As the Bengals pulled off the National Football League’s upset win of the week. Tennessee failed to score in the first and third quarter. Jessie Bates III kept the Titans from scoring in their first drive. Through snagging the only interception of the game. Meanwhile, Joe Burrow had the first sack-less game in his NFL career.

Derrick Henry aside, the Bengals manged to slow down Tennessee’s rushing game. Stalling the NFL’s fourth best rushing offense as of Monday morning. Instead the Titans had to turn more to their passing game. Which ranks near the middle of the road league-wise by comparison. The Titans rank 20th receiving-wise in the NFL as of Monday morning.

Ultimately, Sunday’s win gives the Bengals a confidence boost going into their bye week. Earning their second win of the season to improve to 2-5-1. Cincinnati will need all the confidence they can muster for their next game. The Bengals will play the currently unbeaten Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15th. That game in Pittsburgh is set to kick off at 4:25 PM Eastern time on FOX.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati Football’s blowout win helped them move up in the polls. Moving up from seventh last week to sixth in this week’s AP Top 25. Prompting growing speculation about the unbeaten Bearcats College Football Playoff hopes. No Group of Five school has qualified for the CFP semifinal games. The Bearcats are making a strong case to be the first.

With conference wins against Memphis and then No.16 SMU Football. Along with a win against previously ranked independent Army Football. A lackluster year for the Big 12 and the Pac-12 not starting until later this week. Group of Five schools like Coastal Carolina and Louisiana Football making their way into the top 25. Plus, a week with two top ten match ups; that will shake up the polls in some way. Cincinnati’s College Football Playoff resume already looks good. Through winning their five remaining regular season games; Cincinnati’s case for a CFP semifinal berth could be hard to ignore.

No.6 Cincinnati’s next test is this coming Saturday afternoon. The Bearcats face Houston Football at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. That game is set to kick off at 3:30 PM Eastern time on ESPN.

FC Cincinnati wraps up Nippert Stadium era with loss

By FC Cincinnati’s 2020 standards, this past week was a mostly typical one. Starting with their 1-0 loss to Sporting KC last Wednesday. In FC Cincinnati’s last home game at Nippert Stadium. FCC’s biggest highlight of the match came through Jimmy McLaughlin. Making his first appearance in an Major League Soccer match in five years.

McLaughlin joined FC Cincinnati in their inaugural 2016 USL season. He returned after missing nearly two full seasons with a back injury. FC Cincinnati followed up their Nippert swan song with a loss in Atlanta. Losing 2-0 to Atlanta United on Sunday evening; getting formally eliminated from playoff contention in the process. Atlanta scored both goals in the first 26 minutes of the match.

Now FCC turns it’s attention towards their 2020 finale this coming weekend. Facing Inter Miami in Miami this coming Sunday. Kickoff for that MLS Decision Day match is set for 3:30 PM Eastern time on WSTR-TV.