In this review, the playoff-bound Cincinnati Bengals wrap up their regular season. Cincinnati Football’s offseason is off to a busy start. While Xavier Men’s Basketball returns after a pandemic pause.

Cincinnati Bengals preparing for NFL Playoffs

The Cincinnati Bengals wrapped-up their regular season last Sunday. With a 21-16 loss on the road to the Cleveland Browns. After sweeping the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals were swept by a Browns team already knocked out of playoff contention. Aside from Ja’Marr Chase surpassing Chad Johnson’s franchise single season receiving yards record. The Bengals took a preseason finale-like approach to Sunday’s game. Many starting players played limited stretches or didn’t play at all.

Meanwhile, several players were also on the injured or COVID-19 reserve list. Seven players were activated from the COVID-19 reserve list Monday. Vonn Bell, Trey Hendrickson, Trey Hopkins, Joe Mixon, Larry Ogunjobi, BJ Hill and Quinton Spain. While players including Joe Burrow, D.J. Reader and Evan McPherson recuperated from injuries. Others were given a rest to avoid risking injuries.

Now the Bengals fully turn their attention towards the NFL Playoffs. The Bengals wrapped up the regular season with the No.4 seed in the AFC. They will host the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday evening. The Raiders were the last team to punch their ticket to the playoffs. Through a game-winning overtime field goal against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Speaking of the Chargers, today marks the 40th anniversary of the Bengals AFC title win over the San Diego Chargers. In what became known as “The Freezer Bowl.” Due to it being one of the coldest games in NFL history. Bengals fans are hopeful for a return trip to the AFC Championship Game. Or at the very least their first playoff win in over 30 years, without the subzero temperatures.

Cincinnati Football launch into offseason with busy week

The first week of Cincinnati Football’s offseason featured several announcements. On Sunday, Luke Fickell was named the AFCA’s Football Bowl Subdivision Coach of the Year. In student-athlete news, Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Jerome Ford announced plans to enter the NFL Draft. The juniors are forgoing their last year of collegiate playing eligibility. Gardner is widely considered one of the best cornerbacks in the country. Sauce unanimously won the American Athletic Conference’s 2021 Defensive Player of the Year award. Along with being a consensus All-American.

Ford is one of the best running backs among this year’s draft prospects. He was named to the 2021 All-AAC first team and the MVP of last month’s AAC Championship Game. His 20 total touchdowns and 19 rushing touchdowns this season tied respective school records. Senior wide receiver Alec Pierce also declared for the NFL Draft on Sunday.

Meanwhile, quarterback Ben Bryant is returning to the University of Cincinnati. Bryant is transferring back to UC after one season with Eastern Michigan Football. He’s set to contend for the starting quarterback position after Desmond Ridder’s graduate season. With redshirt sophomore Evan Prater and incoming freshman Luther Richesson.

The local college basketball roundup

Men’s Basketball

Then No.22 Xavier Basketball beat Butler Basketball in Indianapolis 87-72. In Xavier’s first game since December 21st last Friday. After COVID-19 issues within opposing programs caused two postponements. Xavier avoided the second half crash they endured in their last game before their pandemic pause. The Xavier Musketeers took a 42-31 lead into halftime and outpaced Butler 45-41 in the second half.

Adam Kunkel led the game with 25 points after a relatively quiet start to his season. While Musketeers guard Paul Scruggs had a good Indianapolis homecoming. He scored 16 points and had a game-leading six assists. In Scruggs’ last regular season game in his hometown. Scruggs matched fellow Musketeer guard Colby Jones with a game-leading seven rebounds.

Meanwhile, Xavier’s previously postponed home game against U-Conn Basketball is rescheduled. That game is now scheduled to be played on February 11^th. The Omicron-fueled COVID-19 surge is prompting changes for fans attending basketball games at the Cintas Center. Guests aged 12 and older entering the Cintas Center are now required to show proof of being vaccinated against COVID-19. Or test negative within 72 hours of entering the Cintas Center.

Cincinnati Basketball endured two vastly different results last week. Beating SMU Basketball 77-60 last Thursday in Cincinnati. Then losing last Sunday to Memphis Basketball on the road 87-80. After keeping it close for most of the second half. Cincinnati faded away in Memphis during the last minute of the game. Fouls cost the Cincinnati Bearcats after leading 80-79 in the final minute. Memphis scored six of their eight last-minute points through free throws.

COVID-19 breakthrough cases are wreaking havoc on Northern Kentucky Basketball’s schedule. Their home game against IUPUI Basketball last Thursday was canceled. NKU’s game against UIC Basketball scheduled for last Saturday was also canceled. Along with that, their home game against rival Wright State was postponed. That game was originally scheduled to take place tonight at 6 PM Eastern.

The IUPUI game was canceled due to outbreaks affecting both programs. While the UIC and Wright State postponements are due to cases within NKU’s program. Northern Kentucky’s next scheduled game is this Thursday. With the NKU Norse set to travel to play Youngstown State at 7 PM Eastern. The Norse are also scheduled to play Robert Morris on the road this Saturday at 7 PM Eastern.

Women’s Basketball

Northern Kentucky’s Women’s team is going through a pandemic pause of their own. Their home games against Robert Morris and Youngstown State were canceled. The Robert Morris game was originally scheduled to take place last Friday. While the Youngstown State game was originally scheduled to take place last Sunday. This makes it three-consecutive games cancelled due to COVID-19 for the Norse. Halting the 9-3 team in the midst of a five-game winning streak.

Xavier is striving to emerge from their own pandemic pause this week. After the cancellations of last Friday’s game at St.John’s and last Sunday’s game at Seton Hall. Due to COVID-19 issues within St.John’s and Seton Hall’s programs. One previously scheduled game postponed due to COVID-19 is now rescheduled. Xavier’s home game against Providence this Tuesday was originally scheduled to be played on December 31^st.

After their December 29^th game against Lipscomb was canceled. Plus, their originally scheduled New Year’s Day AAC opener at Tulsa was postponed. Cincinnati Basketball began 2022 with back-to-back home losses last week. Losing 46-61 to South Florida last Wednesday and 68-75 to Temple last Saturday. Sending the Bearcats into a three-game losing streak.

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

The Cincinnati Bengals will host the Las Vegas Raiders the first of the weekend’s NFL Wild Card games. Saturday’s game is set to kickoff at 4:30 PM Eastern on NBC and Peacock.

Men’s College Basketball

Now No.17 Xavier Musketeers vs Villanova, Wednesday at 6:30 PM Eastern on FS1.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. East Carolina, Wednesday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WLW-AM (700).

NKU Norse at Youngstown State, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530).

Xavier Musketeers vs. Creighton, Saturday at 12 PM Eastern on FOX.

NKU Norse at Robert Morris, Saturday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+ and WKRC-AM (550).

Cincinnati Bearcats at Wichita State, Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN.

Women’s College Basketball

Xavier Musketeers vs. Providence, Tuesday at 7 PM Eastern on BEDN/FloSports.

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Wichita State, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

NKU Norse at Detroit Mercy, Thursday at 7 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Xavier Musketeers at No.11 U-Conn, Saturday at Noon Eastern (local TV or streaming availablity TBD).

NKU Norse at Oakland, Saturday at 2 PM Eastern on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Bearcats at East Carolina, Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on ESPN+.