In the last review of 2021, the Cincinnati Bengals clinch a winning regular season. While Cincinnati Football arrives in Texas for their College Football Playoff debut.

Cincinnati Bengals clinch winning regular season with blowout win

The Cincinnati Bengals beat the Baltimore Ravens 41-21 last Sunday at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Cincinnati accomplished a few things they haven’t accomplished since 2015. First, they completed a season sweep over the Ravens. Scoring 41 points in both games while Baltimore scored less than 22 in both games. The Bengals will also have their first winning regular season since 2015. Emerging from Sunday with a 9-6 record and first place in the AFC North. This season is the first since 2009 featuring season sweeps over the Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Sunday’s win featured one of Cincinnati’s most dominant offensive performances of the season. Matching a dominant win in October over a healthier Ravens roster. With a dominant win over a Ravens roster ravaged by COVID-19 and various injuries. Baltimore’s third-string quarterback Josh Johnson was thrust into the starting role on Christmas Day. After second-string QB Tyler Huntley tested positive for COVID-19. While typical starting QB Lamar Jackson recovers from an ankle injury. Drafted in 2008, Johnson previously played two games with the Bengals in 2013.

Meanwhile, Cincinnati quarterback and top new nightlife critic Joe Burrow set a franchise record. Through his 525 passing yards in this game; the fourth most thrown in one game in NFL history. This also translated into a grand day for Cincinnati’s wide receivers. Tee Higgins received two touchdowns and caught 12 of 13 passes to him for 194 yards. Tyler Boyd also had a touchdown reception; along with an attempted touchdown called incomplete after a review.

Pro Bowl-bound rookie Ja’Marr Chase had a big game. Catching seven out of ten passes targeted to him for 125 receiving yards. Matching Baltimore’s game-leader in receiving yards Mark Andrews. Bengals Pro Bowl-bound running back Joe Mixon had another good game. With a touchdown, 70 receiving yards and a game-leading 65 rushing yards. Sunday was also a rare quiet day for Bengals veteran punter Kevin Huber. The Bengals didn’t punt the ball during this game.

The local College Basketball weekly roundup

Then No.18 (AP) Xavier Men’s Basketball lost 71-58 at then No.23 Villanova last Tuesday. After enduring two wildly different halves of play. Xavier led for most of the first half; at times leading by double-digits. The Xavier Musketeers took 38-30 lead into halftime. Villanova chipped their deficit away with a 12-3 run to start the second half.

Xavier subsequently went into desperate mode as the second half progressed. With missed three-pointers and turnovers galore in the half. The Musketeers had 13 turnovers compared to Villanova’s seven. While Xavier made six of 23 three-point attempts, going 0 for 14 in the second half. Now Xavier is 11-2 overall and 1-1 in Big East Conference play.

Also last Tuesday, Cincinnati Men’s Basketball beat Tennessee Tech 76-67. Winning at home in their last game before beginning American Athletic Conference play. Last Tuesday’s game featured a reunion for Mamoudou Diarra. The junior forward began his collegiate career with Cincinnati. Before transferring to Tennessee Tech earlier this year. Diarra led Tennessee Tech with 15 points, matching Cincinnati’s leading scorer Mike Saunders Jr.

Last Wednesday, Northern Kentucky Basketball endured a 79-61 loss at Indiana Basketball. In the program’s first time playing the Indiana Hoosiers. Northern Kentucky scored a season-low 14 points in the first half. While Indiana put up 38 in the first half, scoring 16 straight at one point in the half. NKU narrowed their deficit through outscoring Indiana 47-41 in the second half.

In Women’s College Basketball, Northern Kentucky Basketball beat Wofford 84-64 in Spartanburg, SC last Monday. Northern Kentucky set a program record through making 16 three-pointers. The previous record of 15 was set when NKU was playing in NCAA Division II in 2003. Junior guard Carissa Garcia led the NKU Norse with five three-pointers. Last Wednesday, Cincinnati Women’s Basketball lost 60-49 at Marquette.

COVID-19 continues to shake up the sports world

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to leave a mark on sports. Outbreaks resulted in the postponement the Louisville vs. Kentucky Men’s Basketball rivalry game. After reaching out to several opponents, Kentucky added Western Kentucky to their schedule. Western Kentucky went into last Wednesday’s game days removed from a ten-point home win over Louisville. Playing inspiring basketball after their home region was devastated by this month’s tornado outbreak.

COVID-19 is also leaving a mark on the College Football Playoff. The CFP organizers announced a COVID-19 forfeit policy last Wednesday. If No.4 Cincinnati Football or their Cotton Bowl Classic opponent No.1 Alabama is unable to play Friday. The team unable to play would be forced to forfeit. If neither team is able to play, the winner of the Orange Bowl semifinal game (No.2 Michigan vs. No.3 Georgia) would be crowned CFP National Champions.

If three semifinalists aren’t able to play, the lone healthy team will be the national champions. With the semifinal game featuring two teams unable to play being declared a “no contest.” Once it gets to the CFP National Championship Game, set for January 10th in Indianapolis. If one of the finalists aren’t able to play by January 14th, the healthy team would be national champions. If both can’t play by January 14th, the CFP National Championship would be considered a no contest and the title vacated.

Other health and safety policies surrounding the Cotton Bowl and other CFP New Year’s Six games is available here. According to ESPN, a Cincinnati team spokesperson said 99.6% of players and staff going to the Cotton Bowl are fully vaccinated. Going into last Thursday, it’s unknown how many within the Cincinnati program have received a booster shot.

What to watch this week (barring COVID-19 postponements or cancellations)

College Football

Perhaps the biggest game of 2021 in Cincinnati sports will take place on 2021’s last day. With No.4 Cincinnati taking on No.1 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Set to kick off this Friday at 3:30 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Meanwhile, Louisville Football is set to take on Air Force in the First Responder Bowl Tuesday. Kickoff in University Park, TX is set for 3:15 PM Eastern on ESPN.

On New Year’s Day, Kentucky Football will face Iowa in the Citrus Bowl. Kickoff in Orlando, FL is set for 1 PM Eastern on ABC.

Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals will host the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on CBS. In the regular season home finale for the Bengals. Kansas City clinched the AFC West title yesterday with a win against the Steelers. The Chiefs currently hold the No.1 seed in the AFC. Cincinnati could clinch the AFC North with a win.

College Basketball

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball was originally set to start AAC play at Houston this Tuesday. In a rematch of the last three AAC Tournament Championship Games. That game was cancelled on Sunday due to COVID-19 concerns within Houston’s program. As a result, Cincinnati won their conference opener through Houston forfeiting. Cincinnati will start 2022 hosting Tulane this Saturday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WLW-AM (700).

Cincinnati Women’s Basketball will host Lipscomb this Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern. Then start AAC play at Tulsa this Saturday at 2 PM Eastern. Wednesday and Saturday’s games can be seen on ESPN+.

Now No.23 Xavier Men’s Basketball will host Connecticut Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern on FS1.

Xavier Women’s Basketball will play three home games this week. Hosting Butler at 2 PM Eastern Wednesday, Providence at 1 PM Eastern Friday and Creighton at 2 PM Eastern Sunday. All of those games can be seen on FloSports.

Northern Kentucky Men’s Basketball heads back into Horizon League play Thursday. Hosting Green Bay at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530). The NKU Norse will host Milwaukee Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WKRC-AM (550). Thursday’s game will be the first of five-consecutive home conference games for the Norse.

Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball will be on the road this week. Facing IUPUI in Indianapolis Friday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+. Then facing UIC in Chicago Sunday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.