The Cincinnati Bengals strive to stay in the playoff picture against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Plus, Xavier Basketball begins Big East Conference play. These events and more are featured in this pre-Christmas edition of the preview.

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers

Saturday at 4:30 PM (all times Eastern) on NBC, Peacock and Spanish broadcast on Universo. Cincinnati’s radio broadcast can be heard on WCKY-AM (1530), WLW-AM (700) and WEBN-FM (102.7).

The Bengals have worked their way back into the NFL Playoff picture. Going into Monday as the AFC’s No.6 seed. After beating the Minnesota Vikings at home last Saturday in overtime. Improving to an 8-6 record in the process. The Indianapolis Colts also helped the Bengals last Saturday. Through their win against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pittsburgh is now 7-7 and would miss the playoffs as of December 18th.

Along with securing a winning regular season record. A win over their division rival Steelers would give the Bengals a significant boost in their playoff hopes. Since Cincinnati goes into this week with an 0-4 AFC North record. Plus, a win would put another roadblock in the Steelers way. With Pittsburgh’s playoff hopes slipping out of their own control. Pittsburgh handed Cincinnati their last loss back on November 26th in Cincinnati. The fortunes for both teams have changed since then.

Pittsburgh has lost three-consecutive games since November 26th. Two of those losses were to teams out of playoff contention. Despite their recent struggles, Pittsburgh is never a team to underestimate. Meanwhile, Cincinnati has three-consecutive wins against playoff contenders. Two of those three wins were in overtime. The Bengals are rallying together during a tough second half of their season. Finding ways to keep themselves in the playoff picture in the process.

Cincinnati Cyclones vs Wheeling Nailers

Friday at 7:30 PM on Flo Hockey and CyclonesHockey.com.

Cincinnati Cyclones at Toledo Walleye

Saturday at 7:15 PM on Flo Hockey and CyclonesHockey.com.

College Basketball

Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball at Tennessee Tech

Monday at 7 PM on ESPN+.

Thomas More Women’s Basketball at Grand Valley State University

Tuesday at 2 PM.

Mount St. Joseph Men’s Basketball at Kenyon

Tuesday at 3 PM.

Thomas More Men’s Basketball vs Miami University (Hamilton)

Tuesday at 7 PM on Great Midwest Digital Network.

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball vs Merrimack

Tuesday at 7 PM on ESPN+ and WLW-AM (700).

Xavier Women’s Basketball vs DePaul

Wednesday at Noon on Big East Digital Network/Flo Sports.

Mount St. Joseph vs Denison University

Wednesday at 5 PM on Mount St. Joseph Athletics’ YouTube channel.

Xavier Men’s Basketball at St. John’s

Wednesday at 7 PM on FS1 and WLW-AM (700).

Northern Kentucky Women’s Basketball at Middle Tennessee

Wednesday at 7:30 PM on ESPN+.

Cincinnati Women’s Basketball vs Siena

Thursday at 1 PM on ESPN+.

Northern Kentucky Men’s Basketball at Saint Mary’s

Thursday at 10 PM on ESPN+ and WCKY-AM (1530).

Cincinnati Men’s Basketball vs Stetson

Friday at 7 PM on ESPN+ and WLW-AM (700).

Xavier Men’s Basketball vs Seton Hall

Saturday at 2 PM on FS1 and WKRC-AM (550).

College Football Bowl Games of local interest

Western Kentucky Football vs Old Dominion (Famous Toastery Bowl in Charlotte, NC)

Monday at 2:30 PM on ESPN and Bowl Season Radio.

Bowling Green Football vs Minnesota (Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit, MI)

December 26th at 2 PM on ESPN and Bowl Season Radio.

With Christmas Day coming up next Monday. Next week’s preview will be published on December 27th. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Cincy Sports Journal.