Bengals News (12/17): No Flex Zone

Bengals Germaine Pratt has emerged as a star on defense
Germaine Pratt, as he always does as the Bengals’ no longer silent savant on defense who has emerged as a star this season, has done his homework this week as he studies how to tame Denver's two-headed rush monster Sunday.

Quick Hits: Bengals grapple with COVID-19 outbreak, Riley Reiff to Reserve/Injured List
The Bengals lineup for the stretch run that that starts with Sunday’s game in Denver (4:05 p.m.-Cincinnati’s Local 12) got turned on its head Thursday when their No. 1 cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was put on the COVID list and starting right tackle Riley Reiff on I.R.

Bengals’ showdown with Chiefs in Week 17 doesn’t get flexed
No other primetime games for the Bengals (yet).

Who Will Return Punts and Kicks for the Cincinnati Bengals Against the Denver Broncos? - Sports Illustrated Cincinnati Bengals News, Analysis and More
It's between a few players right now.

How defenses are attacking Joe Burrow and the impact on the Bengals' playoff hopes – The Athletic
Progression in the passing game hinges on replicating the success the Bengals had throwing the ball against the 49ers' zone defense.

Around the League

Brandon Staley has no regrets on fourth-down calls in loss: 'That's the way that we're going to play'
Three times the Chargers faced fourth down in manageable field-goal range Thursday night against the Chiefs. Three times they failed, and L.A. lost 34-28 in overtime.

Patrick Mahomes on connection with Travis Kelce to close a classic: 'That was a special moment'
The Patrick Mahomes-Travis Kelce connection closed the show on Thursday Night Football when Kelce caught a ball over the middle and then sprinted and weaved his way past a host of would-be Chargers tacklers to give Kansas City a 34-28 walk-off win in over Los Angeles.

Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence says coaching change gives locker room 'focus'
Trevor Lawrence said he's looking forward to focusing on finishing the season strong now that the team has "some direction moving forward."

Sources - Cleveland Browns QB Case Keenum tests positive for COVID-19
Browns quarterback Case Keenum has tested positive for COVID-19, leaving quarterback Nick Mullens in line to start Saturday against the Raiders, sources told ESPN's Kimberley Martin and Adam Schefter.

Late NFL WR Vincent Jackson diagnosed with Stage 2 CTE
Former NFL WR Vincent Jackson, who was found dead in a Florida hotel room earlier this year at the age of 38, was found to have Stage 2 chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

DraftKings Reacts

In this week’s DraftKings survey, 83% of Bengals fans said they are confident in the direction of this team, down 6% from last week.