Yahoo! Sports

Bengals can take control of AFC North (AP)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:05:56 PST

Ray Lewis took aim and a delivered a jarring hit intended to do more than break up a pass. In his bruising style, the Ravens linebacker was trying to wrap up a win. Didn't work out that way. When Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco -- one of Lewis' longtime friends -- smacked the ground and lost his tiger-striped helmet, a yellow flag landed at the point of impact.

Bengals Team Report (Yahoo! Sports)

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:59:19 PST

While a 5-2 mark has surprised most people, the next two weeks will be telling if the Cincinnati Bengals are to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

The surprising Bengals face Baltimore on Sunday and then travel to Pittsburgh next week. They are already 3-0 in the division after winning all three by three points and can gain a huge advantage in tiebreakers even with a split of the next two.

"I see this as a two-game season while coach (Marvin) Lewis is focused on nine-game season as it is just starting," wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said. "From my standpoint with a win this week and not looking ahead but if we win in Pittsburgh it sets us up for a playoff berth and then keep winning and being successful throughout the season."

The Bengals will...

Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals will have big impact in AFC North (The Canadian Press)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 PST

It's proving time for the Bengals. And maybe the Ravens, too.

NFL Team Reports: AFC North (SportingNews.com)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:16:12 PST

Several times a week, The Trenches will present team reports from Sporting News' 32 NFL correspondents.

On the Corner, podcast #30: Deep inside the Denver Broncos (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:57:18 PST

On the very special 30th podcast here at Shutdown Corner, we take a look at arguably the AFC's most...

Week 9 picks: Eagles, Cowboys battle for NFC East lead (SportingNews.com)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:16:44 PST

Donovan McNabb knows how to duck pressure and avoid interceptions. It's strange, but considering all the...

Week 9 playoff forecast: Ravens make big jump (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:49:00 PST

Signs of a revamped defense bode well for the Ravens' playoff chances the rest of the way.

Bengals release G Kooistra (AP)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:31:42 PST

The Bengals have released offensive guard Scott Kooistra (KOO'-struh), ending his seven-year career in Cincinnati. Kooistra was a seventh-round pick in 2003. He appeared in 82 games with Cincinnati, including two this season. He was inactive for the other five games. The move on Tuesday left the Bengals (5-2) with an open roster spot.

The Week 8 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings: Favre vs. Rodgers (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:47:32 PST

Shutdown Corner is proud to present the weekly quarterback power rankings. They're just as arbitrarily...

NFL Power Poll: Texans gaining playoff momentum (SportingNews.com)

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:16:11 PST

The second half of the season could be historic for the Houston Texans . They have a chance to make the playoffs...

Cincinnati Bengals' banged-up running backs doing better after bye (The Canadian Press)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:12:00 PST

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Jeremi Johnson had his left leg perched on a wooden stool, a bag of ice draped across his sore knee. Bernard Scott walked around without bandage or brace - a good sign. Cedric Benson? Moving slowly, just like always.

Bengals RBs feeling better after bye (AP)

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:22:36 PST

Jeremi Johnson had his left leg perched on a wooden stool, a bag of ice draped across his sore knee. Bernard Scott walked around without bandage or brace -- a good sign. Cedric Benson? Moving slowly, just like always. The Cincinnati Bengals' three banged-up running backs were back at it Monday, a little fresher after a four-day weekend.

Palmer's breakout sends Cincinnati Bengals into bye on a high note (The Canadian Press)

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:27:00 PST

CINCINNATI - Carson Palmer rolled to his right, deftly avoided several Chicago Bears chasing him across the field, and spotted Chris Henry slipping away from flummoxed defenders in the back of the end zone.

Palmer's breakout sends Bengals into bye (AP)

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:04:48 PDT

Carson Palmer rolled to his right, deftly avoided several Chicago Bears chasing him across the field, and spotted Chris Henry slipping away from flummoxed defenders in the back of the end zone. The pass was perfect. Easy touchdown. And it was just getting started. For the first time in years, Palmer had his way for an entire game, one that felt like a flashback.

Bryant still has top-10 potential (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:17:00 PDT

Even after missing most of the '09 season, suspended OSU WR Dez Bryant could go high in next year's NFL draft.

Johnson, others have worn out welcome (Yahoo! Sports)

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:47:00 PDT

Larry Johnson might not get cut following his suspension, but don't expect him back with K.C. next year.

Ravens LT Gaither lines up with starters at practice after scary neck injury (The Canadian Press)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:27:08 PDT

OWINGS MILLS, Md. - When the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line returned to work Wednesday, Jared Gaither was lined up with the starters at his customary left tackle position during blocking drills.

The absurdly premature playoff picture: Week 7 (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:29:37 PDT

See last week's absurdly premature playoff picture here . AFC First-Round Byes : Indianapolis Colts Denver...

Week 8 forecast: Bengals recover with win (Yahoo! Sports)

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:31:00 PDT

An impressive win over the Bears has put Cincinnati back on track for the remainder of the year.

The Week 7 NFL Quarterback Power Rankings (Yahoo! Sports)

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 07:31:01 PDT

Shutdown Corner is proud to present the weekly quarterback power rankings. They're just as arbitrarily...

At 5-2, Bengals heading into bye off their best game yet (The Canadian Press)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:50:23 PDT

CINCINNATI, Ohio - With their most lopsided victory in seven years, the Cincinnati Bengals had everything they wanted heading into their bye week.

Bengals head into bye after best game (AP)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 13:51:32 PDT

With their most lopsided victory in seven years, the Cincinnati Bengals had everything they wanted heading into their bye week. Confidence. Healing time. A share of first place. "It's a good spot to be in," quarterback Carson Palmer said. They played their best all-around game of the season on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, a 45-10 win over the surprisingly inept Chicago Bears.

Sunday's five most valuable players: Vintage Carson Palmer (Yahoo! Sports)

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 09:50:27 PDT

1. Carson Palmer, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals . That is what the Bengals can look like when Carson Palmer is...

Fans, Quinn lose as Browns stick with Anderson (Yahoo! Sports)

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:09:00 PDT

Salary escalators may be the motivating factor in the decision to play Derek Anderson over Brady Quinn.

Benson gets revenge, Bengals drub Bears 45-10 (AP)

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 17:55:37 PDT

Cedric Benson smiled as he greeted his old Bears teammates and coaches at midfield, warmly pumping their hands or wrapping a beefy arm around their shoulder pads for a hug. No need to rub it in. Everyone knew what he'd just done. He got his revenge, all right. Benson ran for a career-high 189 yards and a touchdown against the team that let him go, and Carson Palmer threw five touchdown passes --...