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Riding a 3-game win streak, the Bengals cling to playoff hopes with the Broncos next CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 2:25 PM Dec 23, 2024 2:36 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas (80) reacts after catching the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. The Bengals won 24-6. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel) CINCINNATI (AP) — The Cincinnati Bengals took care of business and won three straight games for the first time this season. Cincinnati is playing its best football, but it might be too late to sneak into the playoffs, with five teams battling for the two remaining AFC postseason spots. At 7-8, the Bengals are on the bubble along with two other teams that have the same record, the Colts and Dolphins. To have a chance, the Bengals will need to beat the visiting Denver Broncos (9-6) on Saturday, then try to take down the Steelers (10-5) at Pittsburgh in the regular-season finale. They'll need some help from other teams, too. The rub for the Bengals is that they have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season. Now with some momentum for the first time, the Bengals will have to clear that hurdle. “It’s just what it’s supposed to feel like for us. This is our expectation," coach Zac Taylor said after the Bengals beat the Cleveland Browns 24-6 on Sunday. “We just put ourselves in a position to now play some real meaningful games. ... We found a way to get the win and now we can turn our focus to a short week and the Denver Broncos.” What's working Joe Burrow became the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 250 yards and three or more touchdowns in seven consecutive games. One of his TD passes, to Tee Higgins, came as he was falling down. He finished 23 for 30 for 252 yards. ... Ja'Marr Chase continues to build his resume as he strives to win the receiving “triple crown.” He had six catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Browns and leads the league in receptions, yards and TDs. ... K Cade York tied a franchise record with a 59-yard field goal. “The guys have responded this way all season,” Taylor said. “We lost some heartbreakers to be quite frank, and games that just came down to the end. It doesn’t mean that we’ve had a bad football team and we weren’t in it. We’ve been in this, and now — I don’t want to say getting our confidence back, because we’ve had confidence — but we’re just making the plays necessary at the critical points of the game to take control of these games. That’s really what’s happened the last three weeks, and we’ve got to continue that.” What needs help Burrow has fumbled 10 times this season. Against the Browns, he lost a fumble on a strip-sack with the Bengals on the Cleveland 2-yard-line. Stock up Last week, S Jordan Battle scooped a fumble and ran it all the way back, only to fumble as he crossed the goal line, leading to a touchback. Against the Browns, he intercepted a second-half pass from Dorian Thompson-Robinson in the end zone. The Bengals' defense has nine takeaways in the past two games. Stock down Cincinnati's depleted offensive line allowed four sacks. Injuries The offensive line took a hit when tackle Amarius Mims went out with an ankle injury and didn't return. Key number 5.1 — Yards per carry by RB Chase Brown, who seems to get better every week. He had 18 carries for 91 yards. Next steps The Bengals continue their improbable effort to slip into the playoffs when they host the Broncos in their home finale on Saturday. They finish the season the following week at Pittsburgh. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Bills offense is 'Cooking,' with running game adding a powerful new dimension Dec 23, 2024 2:22 PM Eagles QB Jalen Hurts is in the NFL’s concussion protocol. His status for Sunday is uncertain Dec 23, 2024 2:19 PM Steelers WR George Pickens returns to practice, hopeful to play against Chiefs Dec 23, 2024 2:01 PMBBB Scam Alert: Going big with your holiday decorations? Don’t fall for this scam

In his annual visit to Toronto, Canada, Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander explained what it meant for him to watch Canadian native RJ Barrett thrive with his hometown team. Shai, who was born in Ontario, says it's "every Canadian's dream" to play for their country just like RJ is this season. “It’s every Canadian’s dream to play at home," said Shai . "I know for me as a kid, watching Raptors games growing up is how I got attached to basketball. So that feeling must feel surreal, for sure. Every time I see RJ he gets better, the sky is the limit because of that. So I'm just happy for him." Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the many international superstars taking over the NBA. The elite scorer and sharpshooter, along with Jamal Murray , Dillon Brooks , and RJ Barrett, are some of the most notable NBA players from Canada and they all played for their country in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games . Together, they led Team Canada to fifth place in the tournament, the nation's highest finish since 1984. As the runner-up for MVP last season , Shai was the star of the show for Team Canada and he took pride in playing for his home country with averages of 24.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. In the NBA, Shai makes his home (Oklahoma City) far away from Canada but he gets to live through guys like RJ Barrett, who is getting the full hometown hero experience. After being traded by the New York Knicks , Barrett has settled into his new role with averages of 23.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game on 45.6% shooting. Sadly, despite the best efforts of Barrett and Scottie Barnes , the Raptors haven't been very good this season and it's clear that they need some massive reinforcements to compete for a title. Since he's currently locked into a 5-year, $173 million contract, it's unlikely that Shai is anywhere but with the Thunder for the foreseeable future. But maybe one day down the road, Shai can sign with the Raptors and join RJ Barrett on his home team. Together, they could transform the Raptors from bottom-feeders to a truly formidable team in the East. They might even bring the Raptors their first title since the Kawhi Leonard era. Of course, this is all just wishful thinking for the Raptors. As much as Shai loves and respects his roots, he isn't going to find a better situation than his current one with the Thunder. As the leader both on and off the court, Gilgeous-Alexander is playing some of the best basketball of his life and it has put the Thunder in a position to make some serious noise in the West. For now, the young superstar is focused on the mission at hand, which involves leading the Thunder to the depths of the postseason. After their stop in Toronto, Shai and the Thunder will face the New Orleans Pelicans at 7:00 PM EST at Smoothie King Center. On December 10th, the Thunder play their next game in the NBA Emirates Cup, which is against the Dallas Mavericks for the West Quarterfinal at 9:30 PM EST. This article first appeared on Fadeaway World and was syndicated with permission.