Bengals Banter: Getting back into routine isn't always easy

Now that Christmas has come and gone, and now that the stores are probably maddening with crazy shoppers looking to return broken or unwanted purchases (aka, ticked off people), let's catch up on the Bengals. Shall we?

TICKET EXTENSION DEADLINE IS TODAY. On Thursday afternoon, the Cincinnati Bengals reportedly had 1,500 tickets available for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The league gave Cincinnati a Saturday afternoon deadline, mostly because of Christmas, to push the remainder of their available tickets. If Sunday's game is a sellout, it will be the "sixth straight sold-out season" and 52nd straight regular season sellout.

Cincinnati will find out Saturday afternoon if Sunday's game will be shown on local television (which I'm sure it will be).

CONGRATS IN ORDER. J.P. Foschi has missed practice this week not due to injury. He's been with his wife, who is expecting their first child.

KEEP GETTING HEALTHIER. Even though Chris Crocker and Domata Peko didn't participate during practice, they were working out and rehabbing. Both are listed as doubtful for this weekend.

BENGALS DON'T HAVE TO WIN. Bengals can clinch a playoff spot if the Jaguars and Jets lose and a tie between Houston and Miami. They can clinch the AFC North if the Baltimore Ravens lose to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Of course, all of this avoided if the Bengals just win.

Quan Cosby, whose much different than the typical rookie, keeps having his role expanded.

The Bengals committed 20 penalties in the past two games, seven of which were on first down by the offense.

Carson Palmer will face another former USC teammate on Sunday. Quarterback Matt Cassel.