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After Week 13, the Cincinnati Bengals knew they would clinch the AFC North the next time they won or the Baltimore Ravens lost. Surely they didn't think the division would still be hanging in the balance come a home tilt with the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 16, but that's how things stood after two consecutive losses (and two Ravens' wins). Sure, the Ravens lost Sunday -- meaning the Bengals would have clinched the division championship even with a loss -- but Cincy needed a morale boost after losing two games and a teammate in the past three weeks. Kansas City didn't make it easy, but, in the end, the Bengals took care of business on their home turf and won the game, 17-10. They did it as they've done much of the season, with good defense and on the back of Cedric Benson. Benson, behind solid offensive line play, gained 133 yards on 29 carries. It was his sixth time topping the century mark this season, which sets a new Bengals franchise record.
The Bengals were actually outgained by the Chiefs, but made timely plays repeatedly throughout the game Sunday and emerged victorious for the 10th time this season, including two interceptions from Chiefs quarterback Matt Cassel (one that thwarted a potential game-tying drive with less than two minutes to play). They haven't won 10 games in a season since 2005 (the last time they won the AFC North), when they went 11-5. They will have a chance to equal that mark next week when they visit the Jets in the Meadowlands. It is a key game for the Bengals in terms of seeding, as the New England Patriots are also 10-5 and a division winner.
In just glancing at the records and the final score, it would be easy to say the Bengals played down to competition, but give the Chiefs credit. They fought hard. Jamaal Charles had 102 rushing yards on 24 carries, making it his third straight game to hit triple digits and fourth time of the season. As an added bonus, he was able to show Larry Johnson -- whom the Chiefs cut earlier in the season and now plays for Cincinnati -- that he's the much better back at this point. Johnson checked in as a non-factor himself, garnering just 11 yards on four carries -- despite proclamations a few weeks back he'd make the Chiefs pay for cutting him.
The Chiefs will again attempt to play spoiler next week when they visit Denver.
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