In this review, the Cincinnati Bengals are tied for first place in their division. Cincinnati Football remains unbeaten after a nail-biter Saturday. Plus, Cincinnati makes a formal pitch to host FIFA World Cup matches.

Takeaways from Cincinnati Bengals beating the Baltimore Ravens

The Cincinnati Bengals had a convincing win against the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday. Winning 41-17 in Baltimore and moving into a tie for first place in the AFC North. Both teams are even with a 5-2 overall record; while Cincinnati has the edge with a 2-0 divisional record. Cincinnati snapped a five-game losing streak against the Ravens. Perhaps the most surprising takeaway from Sunday’s game was how Cincinnati won. It’s one thing to beat the win-less Detroit Lions in dominant fashion. It’s another to beat a team many expect to be a playoff contender convincingly.

Another takeaway was the phenomenal day for C.J. Uzomah and Ja’Marr Chase. He caught two deep receptions for the Bengals’ first touchdowns. A 55 yard reception in the second quarter and a 32 yard reception in the third. Later in the third, Ja’Marr Chase took an 82 yard reception to the house. Chase set an NFL rookie record with 754 receiving yards in his first seven games. Joe Mixon and Samaje Perine scored rushing touchdowns in the fourth. Mixon’s touchdown was a 21 yard run and Perine’s was a 46 yard run.

Perine’s touchdown and Evan McPherson’s extra point wrapped up a stretch of 28 unanswered points for Cincinnati. Giving the Bengals the 41-17 score they wrapped up the game with. The wide lead gave Cincinnati room to have Brandon Allen come in at quarterback late in the game. Giving Joe Burrow an early rest for the second-consecutive week. Burrow completed 23 of 38 pass attempts for 416 yards. Throwing an interception and three touchdowns. In a match-up between him and Baltimore’s fellow Heisman winning QB Lamar Jackson.

Next up for the Bengals, the last leg in a three-game road trip. Taking on the New York Jets this Halloween Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on CBS.

No.2 Cincinnati Football survives against Navy Football

Cincinnati Football endured something they hadn’t faced this season last Saturday. A game that was in flux going into the final 30 seconds. That’s what No.2 Cincinnati faced in their trip to the Naval Academy. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 27-20, after Arquon Bush snagged an interception with 25 seconds left. 23 seconds earlier, Daniel Davies recovered an on-side kick to give Navy the ball. Setting the stage for what could’ve been an upset-clinching drive for Navy.

The last minute wasn’t the only suspenseful moment for the Bearcats. Navy jumped out to an early lead and spent much of the first half leading or tied with Cincinnati. The Bearcats took a 13-10 lead into the halftime break. Through a sequence that began with Bearcats linebacker Deshawn Pace blocking Navy’s 51 yard field goal attempt. Pace returned the blocked field goal 20 yards to put the Bearcats in field goal range. Setting the stage for Cincinnati kicker Alex Bales to make a 52 yard field goal. In the last second of the first half.

Cincinnati stretched their lead out in the second half. Jumping out to a 27-10 lead by the end of the third quarter. Navy began chipping the lead away with Bijan Nichols’ 27 yard field goal. Then Tai Lavatai’s one-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds left. Nichols’ successful extra point made resulted in the 27-20 final score.

Despite the close win against one-win Navy; Cincinnati maintained their No.2 ranking in the AP Top 25. After concerns arose Saturday that the Bearcats would drop down despite the win. Cincinnati’s win along with the performances of two other top ten programs helped UC stay at No.2. There was Illinois Football’s nine-overtime upset road win against Penn State. Along with Oklahoma’s closer than expected win against lackluster Kansas Football.

While Cincinnati didn’t get the rout some were expecting. Cincinnati can benefit going forward from surviving last Saturday’s one possession win. Not only because of the old saying that a win is a win. Getting tested the way they were can serve as a motivator going forward. For Cincinnati to not get complacent in the top four.

Next up for the Bearcats, a road game against Tulane Football this Saturday. While it’s another game against a one-win team. Just like Navy, Cincinnati shouldn’t underestimate Tulane. Half of Tulane’s six losses so far were against teams currently in the AP Top 25. No.4 Oklahoma, No.10 Ole Miss and No.19 SMU Football. This Saturday’s kickoff in New Orleans, LA is set for Noon Eastern time on ESPN2.

Cincinnati makes pitch for 2026 FIFA World Cup bid

Last week was a big week on the Cincinnati soccer beat. A delegation from FIFA and The U.S. Soccer Federation visited Cincinnati last Friday. As the Queen City makes a pitch to host 2026 FIFA World Cup matches. The world’s most popular sporting event is set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Last Friday’s visit featured visits to Paul Brown Stadium, TQL Stadium and other venues. Along with places that could potentially host fan festivals. Such as The Banks, Washington Park and Fountain Square.

Friday’s events featured music and a press conference with FIFA delegates. Giveaways were also featured, including tickets to next month’s 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at TQL Stadium. Along with a sampling of local food and drinks. Cincinnati is one of 17 cities in the United States hoping to host World Cup matches. That list is set to be cut down to a final ten or 11 in 2022.

Cincinnati’s pitch came between two rough matches for FC Cincinnati. FCC lost a 4-3 roller-coaster ride against the Chicago Fire at TQL Stadium last Wednesday. Chicago jumped out to a 2-0 lead; through two Robert Beric goals within the first 18 minutes. Luciano Acosta got FC Cincinnati on the board in the 28th minute. Brandon Vazquez tied the match in the 36th minute.

Chicago midfielder Alvaro Medran brought them back into the lead in the 71st minute. Tyler Blackett scored an equalizer for Cincinnati a minute into stoppage time. Roughly two minutes later, Luka Stojanovic scored Chicago’s match winner. FC Cincinnati endured a drubbing on the road last Saturday. Losing 5-1 against Inter Miami, completing Miami’s series sweep against FCC.

Two of FCC’s final three matches of this season are this week. FC Cincinnati will host Nashville SC this Wednesday. FCC’s last road match of the season will be Sunday night against the Philadelphia Union. Wednesday and Sunday’s matches are set to begin at 7:30 PM Eastern. Both matches can be seen in the Cincinnati area on WSTR-TV 64.

Cincinnati Cyclones start their season

Roughly 20 months after their last regular season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cincinnati Cyclones began their 2021-22 season with a win. Beating the Indianapolis Fuel on the road 3-2 last Saturday. The Cyclones’ next game is this Friday at 7 PM Eastern. Cincinnati will take on the Kalamazoo Wings in Kalamazoo,MI. The Cyclones will take on Indianapolis in their home opener is this Saturday. Puck drop is set for 7:30 PM Eastern at Cincinnati’s Heritage Bank Center.