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The fact the Bengals still had a shot to tie Sunday’s game in Baltimore with 65 seconds left is as mystifying as their 3-7-1 record. Chalk it up to a resourceful defense, quarterback Andy Dalton’s tenacity, and a will that has been hardened by five straight post-season runs. But in the end, the mystery was solved. If you can’t win with A.J. Green than winning without him is a monumental task.
Notes: Re-tooled safety spot responds; Nugent's struggle continues
They had to shake up their secondary because of injuries Sunday and while Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco didn’t have his typical miserable day against the Bengals, he had to resort to the short game and kicker Justin Tucker to beat them, 19-14.
Monday slants: Bengals stick with Nugent again; Green expected to play in '16; DT Williams returns
Beleaguered Mike Nugent has survived another week and it looks like with five games left he’ll finish his seventh season as the Bengals kicker. After Nugent missed his third straight extra point Sunday in Baltimore, head coach Marvin Lewis said in his Monday news conference that the club won’t bring in kickers to work out
One of the things I thought important going into the (Baltimore) game was making positive plays on first and second down. Probably on about half of the possessions, as we went through the film, we did a pretty good job at that. We did have a couple of third-and-longs. It was about 50-50 of third and seven-plusses and third and three or fours. Those are much more manageable.
Bengals notes: Lewis talks job security, keeping Nugent
Bengals notebook includes Marvin Lewis on handling job security speculation, discussing Mike Nugent, return of DeShawn Williams, a DB to IR and the benching of center Russell Bodine.
Bengals remain united: 'Tank it? No.'
A soft rain fell outside of Paul Brown Stadium on Monday, a quiet afternoon for the Cincinnati Bengals. Trucks carrying the last loads from the game in London were coming in, and players carefully dodged the backing up semi-truck trailers and forklifts.
AFC North Bytes
Baltimore Ravens advocate getting a point for kickoff through uprights
With Ravens kicker Justin Tucker putting every ball he kicks through the uprights, including on kickoffs, John Harbaugh wants him to be rewarded. "I'm on record as advocating that that should [count as] a point," Harbaugh said after Sunday's 19-14 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
#HeyTony: Which Browns free agents should be priorities to keep for next season?
Aside from marquee names Terrelle Pryor and Jamie Collins, the prospective Browns unrestricted free agents in 2017 are: guard Jonathan Cooper, defensive tackle Stephen Paea, guard Austin Pasztor, punter Britton Colquitt, cornerback Jamar Taylor, linebacker Corey Lemonier, and safety Jordan Poyer.
Workhorse Le'Veon Bell Just Wrapped Up Playing Nearly 200 Consecutive Snaps
From the middle of the third quarter in the game against the Ravens to the third snap of the game against the Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell did not come off the field for a single snap. Including the entirety of the games against the Cowboys and the Browns, the fourth-year running back was on the field for Pittsburgh on 190 consecutive snaps.
Random Bytes
‘Thursday Night Football’ reportedly on the chopping block
The up-and-down ratings and viewership of the 2016 season have forced the NFL to take a closer look at what works and doesn’t. According to Pro Football Talk, the league is considering ending, or at least limiting, Thursday Night Football.
Bruce Arians slams “selfishness” of some Cardinals players
Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu said after Sunday’s loss to the Falcons that the Cardinals are too talented to be under .500, but talented players that don’t play as a team don’t usually wind up with winning records.
Monday Morning Digest: Raiders, Buccaneers Thrill in Scary NFL Thanksgiving Week
Thanksgiving isn't supposed to be scary. Halloween is supposed to be scary. Thanksgiving, and the Sunday that follows, is all about feasting. But it was a Sunday of terror for teams around the NFL that thought they would be feasting in Week 12.
The Debrief, Week 13: Don't count out Packers over final stretch
The Packers addressed complaints Monday night like the effective boss you never had, ripping through the fans' suggestion box one by one. » Have Aaron Rodgers throw in rhythm, rather than relying on improvisation? Check. » Vary the team's offensive formations and personnel to avoid predictability? Check. » Rediscover the team's dormant pass rush and avoid defensive self-immolation in the first quarter? Done and done.
Injuries: Danny Trevathan done for remainder of year
As if things couldn't get any bleaker for the Bears in 2016, the latest news shows it can and has indeed worsened. Head coach John Fox said Monday that linebacker Danny Trevathan, one of Chicago's big offseason signings, suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in his knee, ending his first season in the Windy City. Trevathan, who will be placed on injured reserve, suffered the injury during the Bears' 27-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.