In this week’s review, it was another lackluster week for the Cincinnati Bengals. A long list of pandemic-related local sports postponements and cancellations. Plus, Cincinnati has back-to-back Ohio Mr.Football’s in town.

Cincinnati Bengals clobbered by their former quarterback’s team

The word of the week for the Cincinnati Bengals was “frustrated.” That’s how several Bengals including head coach Zac Taylor described Sunday’s 30-7 loss. To former Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and the Dallas Cowboys at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Bengals fans were likely as or more frustrated watching the game. Than the Bengals were after playing in it.

The Bengals fumbled the ball in their first three possessions. Dallas scored 17 points by the time Cincinnati put any points on the board. Wide receiver A.J. Green scored Cincinnati’s lone touchdown in the second quarter. Former Cleveland Browns kicker Austin Seibert made his Bengals debut Sunday. After the team deactivated teammate Randy Bullock. After missing three of his last five field goal attempts. Seibert made the extra point after Green’s touchdown for Cincinnati’s last major highlight.

Meanwhile, Andy Dalton shined in his return to Cincinnati. Roughly six months after the Bengals released him. In favor of giving rookie top overall pick Joe Burrow the keys to the franchise. A move that socked the Bengals in the face when Burrow got hurt. Next up for the Bengals, the Pittsburgh Steelers on ESPN’s Monday Night Football. That game is set to start at 8:15 PM Eastern at Paul Brown Stadium.

What didn’t happen last week

There were local cancellations and postponements a-plenty last week. What was set to be Cincinnati Football’s regular season finale against Tulsa Football was cancelled. Those two teams will play each other this Saturday at UC’s Nippert Stadium. In the American Athletic Conference Championship Game at 8 PM Eastern on ABC. Despite the long-shot hopes of qualifying for the College Football Playoff; even if they win the AAC title. No.6 (AP Poll) Cincinnati is in a prime position going into championship weekend. For a New Year’s Six bowl bid, whether it’s a CFP semifinal game or not.

Xavier’s men’s and women’s basketball teams had games postponed due to COVID-19. The women’s Crosstown Shootout was postponed; that game was originally set for last Thursday. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Adam Baum; this was Xavier’s third consecutive postponed game. Xavier’s women’s team went on to beat Wofford Basketball 70-64 last Sunday. Xavier’s men’s had to pause team activities due to COVID-19 last week. Postponing what was supposed to be their Big East Conference opener. Against Providence Basketball in Providence, RI last Saturday evening.

Their Big East home opener against Seton Hall Basketball was also postponed. Along with a road game against DePaul Basketball in Chicago. What was set to be Miami Ohio Football’s regular season finale was cancelled. The Miami RedHawks end their 2020 regular season with a 2-1 record. The Big Game between Ohio State Football and Michigan Football was cancelled too. Ohio State will now face Northwestern Football this Saturday afternoon in Indianapolis. In the Big Ten Conference’s title game at Noon Eastern time on FOX.

Ohio State qualified for the game through being the Big Ten’s lone undefeated team. Along with something the Big Ten’s done a few times already with football this year. Reverse course on a conference decision; this time through changing a rule set just for this pandemic season. That made playing at least six games a requirement for qualifying for their conference championship game. Ohio State played only five games going into the title game.

Back in the Queen City, next year’s Findlay Market Opening Day Parade won’t happen on Opening Day. At the moment, the Cincinnati Reds’ 2021 Opening Day game is scheduled to be played on April 1st. With the Reds facing their National League Central foe St.Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park. Parade organizers hope to have the parade when the Reds could host a full capacity crowd. There’s no guarantee that it will be safe enough for that to happen by April 1st.

Cincinnati’s College Basketball weekly roundup

Xavier Basketball did play a game last week; beating Oklahoma Basketball 99-77 last Wednesday. After numerous postponements, Xavier’s next game is scheduled to be this Sunday. When the Xavier Musketeers host Marquette Basketball at 2 PM Eastern on FS1. Elsewhere, Cincinnati Basketball beat Furman Basketball 78-73 at home last Wednesday. Cincinnati lost to No.12 Tennessee Basketball 65-56 last Saturday on the road.

The 2-2 Cincinnati Bearcats will start conference play this Wednesday. Taking on USF Basketball at home this Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern. On Saturday, Cincinnati will play unbeaten Georgia Basketball in Georgia at 8 PM Eastern. In their second game against a Southeastern Conference school in a week. All while UC’s football team plays in AAC Championship Game.

Northern Kentucky Basketball is trying to dig out of a three-game losing streak. After losing to Chattanooga Basketball on December 5th. The NKU Norse lost to Dayton Basketball 66-60 last Tuesday in Dayton. They followed that up with a 92-73 road loss to Kent State Basketball last Sunday. Perhaps returning home will help the Norse snap their losing streak. NKU plays Youngstown State on December 19 and 20th at NKU’s BB&T Arena.

Corey Kiner wins Ohio’s Mr.Football award

Corey Kiner of Roger Bacon High School won Ohio’s Mr.Football award last week. Becoming the second-consecutive Cincinnati high school player to win the honor. Wyoming High School alumnus and Cincinnati Bearcats football player Evan Prater won last year. Becoming the first local player to win Ohio’s Mr.Football since 1992. Kiner is expected to formally sign to play for LSU Football this week.