In the last weekly review of 2020, the Cincinnati Bengals deliver two Christmas presents. Xavier Basketball falls out of the AP Top 25. While Kentucky Basketball sinks to their worst start in over a century.

Cincinnati Bengals snap multiple streaks with back-to-back wins

The Cincinnati Bengals gave their fans an early Christmas present last Monday. Beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-17 in prime time at Paul Brown Stadium. The win snapped a five-game regular season losing streak. Along with an 11 game losing streak against the Steelers. In a game where the Bengals defied many expectations.

Given Pittsburgh and Cincinnati’s last 11 meetings and Cincinnati’s 2020 struggles. Plus, Cincinnati going into the game with third string quarterback Ryan Finley. Making his first start and having his first complete game of the season. Along with Pittsburgh’s hunger to snap a two-game losing streak going into the game. Many, including this writer, watched and listened to Monday’s game with a sense of disbelief. The other shoe didn’t drop for the first time in roughly five years. There was no major penalty or devastating injury to derail the Bengals aspirations this time.

The Bengals followed up their Monday night thrill ride with another streak-snapping win. Beating the Houston Texans 37-31 in Houston on Sunday afternoon. Marking the first time the Bengals won a road game since September, 2018. It’s the first time the Bengals won on the road since Zac Taylor became their head coach. It’s also the first time the Bengals won back-to-back games with Taylor.

On offense, rookie wide receiver Tee Higgins shined for Cincinnati. Getting six receptions for a team-leading 99 yards and a touchdown. Higgins tied Cris Collinsworth’s franchise record for the most receptions in a rookie season on Sunday. Drew Sample was effective with his one reception of the game. Getting the Bengals first on the board with a touchdown.

Running Back Semaje Perine had a phenomenal day. Scoring two touchdowns and running for a team-leading 95 rushing yards. Sam Hubbard and Margus Hunt combined for the Bengals most pivotal defensive play. With roughly 90 seconds left in the game; Hubbard stripped the ball from Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. Hunt recovered Watson’s fumble to effectively seal the Bengals victory.

Cincinnati’s back-to-back wins give them a 4-10-1 record going into Week 17. They will finish with at least double the number of wins they had last season. The Bengals will wrap up their season this coming Sunday. Hosting the Baltimore Ravens at 1 PM Eastern on CBS. Cincinnati has the opportunity to help spoil Baltimore’s playoff hopes.

As of Monday morning, the Ravens are the American Football Conference’s sixth seed. Monday’s Cincinnati win denied Pittsburgh the chance to clinch the AFC North that night. Pittsburgh ultimately won the division by beating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. The Ravens will go into Week 17 as one of five AFC teams with a 10-5 record. Baltimore would clinch a wild card spot with a win against the Bengals. If the Bengals win, Baltimore could get a wild card spot if the Cleveland Browns or the Colts lose. The Bengals winning, plus Browns and Colts victories would keep Baltimore out of the playoffs.

The local college basketball roundup

Xavier Basketball lost for the first time this season last Wednesday. Losing their Big East Conference road-opener against No.13 Creighton Basketball 66-61. Dropping out of the AP Top 25 this week as a result; after ranking 22nd in last week’s poll. The now 8-1 Xavier Musketeers will face Seton Hall Basketball this Wednesday. The game at Xavier’s Cintas Center is set to tip-off at 7 PM Eastern on FS1.

Wednesday’s game was previously postponed due to COVID-19. The Musketeers now have another conference game postponed due to COVID-19. Xavier’s home game against Villanova Basketball was postponed on Sunday. Due to several positive COVID-19 tests within the Villanova program. According to Bleacher Report’s Blake Schuster, head coach Jay Wright is among those that tested positive. The Villanova game was originally scheduled to be played this coming Sunday. No make up date has been announced yet by the Big East.

Northern Kentucky Basketball is also dealing with COVID-19 postponements. Their Christmas weekend road games against Oakland Basketball were postponed. Due to a positive test within the Northern Kentucky program announced last Tuesday. Barring further postponements, NKU will play Fort Wayne Basketball on New Year’s Day and January 2nd. Both games are set to tip-off at 6 PM Eastern at NKU’s BB&T Arena.

Cincinnati Basketball is still looking for their first conference win. After losing on the road to UCF Basketball 75-70 last Tuesday. To fall to 0-2 in American Athletic Conference play and 2-5 overall. Cincinnati will face Tulsa Basketball this Saturday at Cincinnati’s Fifth Third Arena. Saturday’s game is set to tip-off at 3 PM Eastern time.

Elsewhere in local college basketball news, Kentucky Basketball is off to a historically bad start. Falling to a 1-6 record going into the start of Southeastern Conference play. It’s Kentucky’s worst start since 1911; when William Howard Taft was President of the United States. The Kentucky Wildcats latest loss was to cross-state rival Louisville Basketball. Louisville’s 62-59 home win was the last game of 2020 for both teams.

Beechwood Quarterback Cam Hergott wins KFCA’s Mr.Football award

For the second consecutive year, the Greater Cincinnati area has two Mr. Football’s. After Roger Bacon High School’s Corey Kiner won Ohio’s Mr. Football earlier this month. Beechwood High School’s Cam Hergott won the Kentucky Football Coaches Association’s Mr. Football award last Sunday. Hergott’s win comes over a week after Beechwood won their 15th football state title. Last year, Covington Catholic alumnus Michael Mayer won the award. Mayer’s College Football career is off to a strong start with Notre Dame Football. While Wyoming alumnus and Cincinnati Football player Evan Prater won last year in Ohio.