Happy New Year! In the first review of 2022, the Cincinnati Bengals are AFC North champions. Cincinnati Football’s historic season comes to a close. While COVID-19’s impact on opponents’ stall No.22 Xavier Men’s Basketball’s season.

Cincinnati Bengals win division through last-second win against Kansas City

2022 is starting off on a wonderful note for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals beat the Kansas City Chiefs 34-31 Sunday at Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium. Through a last-second field goal from Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson. Clinching their first AFC North division title since 2015. McPherson’s field goal marked the conclusion of a suspense-filled final drive. The Bengals got it to a goal line stand in the final seconds. Getting reprieves in that stand through an offsetting penalty and a Chiefs penalty.

Cincinnati also won in large measure thanks to rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. He led the game with 11 receptions, 266 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Setting a record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in an NFL game. While breaking Justin Jefferson’s record for the most receiving yards by a rookie in a season. Chase will go into Week 18 with 1,429 receiving yards so far this season.

Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow outpaced Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in several areas. In the first match-up between two of the American Football Conference’s best quarterbacks. Burrow completed 30 of 39 pass attempts while Mahomes completed 26 of 35. Burrow had 446 passing yards compared to Mahomes’ 259. Plus, Burrow threw four touchdowns compared to Mahomes’ two.

It’s rare we see a team pull off a comeback against the Chiefs in the Mahomes era. In several high-profile games, the Chiefs found ways to dominate after coming from behind. Yet, the Bengals pulled off the comeback after trailing 28-17 at halftime. Cincinnati managed to hold the Chiefs to three second-half points. While Cincinnati surged back into the game through touchdowns from Chase and Tyler Boyd. Plus, the efforts of Burrow, McPherson and key defensive stops.

All in a game that offered an interesting tribute to the late John Madden. He first gained widespread notoriety coaching the Chiefs’ rival Oakland Raiders. Madden was also on the call for some of the biggest games in modern NFL history. As far as this regular season is concerned, Sunday’s game was a one of the best to date. Worthy of a call from CBS’ A-team Jim Nantz and Tony Romo. A team that decades-prior comprised Madden and Pat Summerall.

Cincinnati Football lose Cotton Bowl Classic to Alabama

Cincinnati Football wrapped up their historic 2021 season with their lone loss of the season. Losing 27-6 to Alabama Football in the Cotton Bowl Classic last Friday. This wasn’t the full-fledged drubbing America’s used to seeing Alabama deliver. The Cincinnati Bearcats likely exceeded national expectations. In their first College Football Playoff semifinal appearance. Losing by less than Michigan Football did in their first College Football Playoff appearance. Power Five program Michigan lost to Georgia Football 34-11 in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

Cincinnati was often a few key plays away from making this a closer game. Those opportunities were often thwarted by Bama’s defense sacking Desmond Ridder. In the last game of his illustrious collegiate career, Ridder was sacked six times. Though Ridder completed 17 passes just like Alabama’s Heisman-winning quarterback Bryce Young. Kicker Cole Smith provided the Bearcats’ lone points of the game. With a field goal in the first quarter and another in the third.

In some respects, 2021 wrapped up much like it began. Cincinnati began 2021 with a closer than some expected Peach Bowl loss to Georgia. Cincinnati wrapped up the year with another closer than some expected New Year’s Six loss. In between and beyond those games, Cincinnati earned the respect of the nation. Through the best Bearcats football season in program history.

2021 marked a transitional year for Cincinnati in some respects. Reaching historic heights which culminated in their CFP appearance. 2022 will be a transitional year roster and staff-wise. Desmond Ridder, Coby Bryant and Joel Dublanko could comprise part of Cincinnati’s best NFL Draft class to date. Staff-wise, Cincinnati offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock will join LSU Football’s coaching staff. Joining LSU’s new head coach and former UC head coach Brian Kelly. Up until the weekend, Denbrock was Cincinnati’s offensive coordinator for the last five seasons.

The local college basketball weekly roundup

2022 is starting off like 2021 began in college basketball as far as COVID-19 is concerned. Several games were postponed or canceled last week due to COVID-19 cases. Including Xavier Men’s Basketball’s game against UConn Basketball. Due to COVID-19 issues within UConn’s program. Originally scheduled to take place last Tuesday in Cincinnati. This Tuesday’s originally scheduled game against Georgetown is also being canceled. Due to COVID-19 issues within Georgetown’s program.

Xavier Women’s Basketball was also affected by a COVID-19 cancellation. What was supposed to be the second of three-home games in five days for Xavier. Their New Year’s Eve game against Providence Basketball was canceled. The Xavier Musketeers beat Butler last Wednesday 77-55. Then lost 51-67 Sunday against Creighton Basketball.

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball was also hit by a COVID-19 cancellation. Their originally scheduled AAC opener at Houston Basketball was postponed. COVID-19 issues forced Houston to initially forfeit the game. Changes to the AAC’s COVID-19 forfeit rules last Monday shifted it to a postponement. Cincinnati began 2022 with a 68-60 home loss to Tulane Basketball last Saturday. Meanwhile, Cincinnati Women’s Basketball’s two originally scheduled games going into last week were called off. Their game against Lipscomb was canceled and their game at Tulsa was postponed.

A COVID-19 cancellation affected Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball. Last Sunday’s originally scheduled game at UIC Basketball was canceled. NKU won 54-53 last Friday at IUPUI Basketball, extending their winning streak to five. NKU’s men’s team was the lone local NCAA Division I program to not endure schedule disruptions last week. NKU wrapped up 2021 with a 79-74-win hosting Green Bay Basketball last Thursday. Northern Kentucky lost at home to Milwaukee on New Year’s Day 61-55.

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

The Bengals will wrap up their 2021-22 regular season this Sunday on the road. Taking on their cross-state rival Cleveland Browns at 1 PM Eastern on CBS. The Browns have already been eliminated from playoff contention. Cleveland will go in looking to play spoiler and get the season sweep over Cincinnati. Cincinnati still has the chance to clinch the AFC’s top seed. With a win along with Kansas City and the Tennessee Titans losing.

Xavier Men’s Basketball’s next scheduled game is this Friday at Butler Basketball. Tip-off is set for 8:30 PM Eastern on FS1. Xavier Women’s Basketball will have two of three-consecutive road games this week. Facing St. John’s Basketball Friday at 7 PM Eastern on FloSports. Xavier will play Seton Hall this Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on FloSports.

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball will host SMU Basketball Thursday at 9 PM Eastern on ESPN2 or ESPNU. On Sunday, the Bearcats will face Memphis Basketball. Tip-off in Memphis, TN is set for 3:30 PM Eastern on ABC. Cincinnati Women’s Basketball will host USF Basketball Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+. The Bearcats will host Temple Basketball Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball is scheduled to host Robert Morris on Friday at 7 PM Eastern. They’re set to host Youngstown State this Sunday at 2 PM Eastern. Both games can be seen on Bally Sports Ohio. NKU’s men’s team will host IUPUI Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530). This Saturday, NKU will host UIC at 2 PM Eastern on WKRC-AM (550).