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redguru
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No one is laughing at the Cincinnati Bengals anymore.
A perennial laughingstock, the Bengals can clinch the AFC North title Sunday with a win over the reeling Detroit Lions.
The Bengals have not won a division title since capturing the AFC Central in 1988, when they went 12-4 and reached the Super Bowl. They last made the playoffs in 1990 after going 9-7.
Cincinnati also can clinch the division if Pittsburgh loses at Minnesota on Sunday. The Bengals lead the Steelers by two games and own the tiebreaker advantage due to a better division record.
In coach Marvin Lewis' third season, the Bengals would seem to have the pieces in place to be a regular playoff participant.
Quarterback Carson Palmer is the AFC's second-rated passer, Chad Johnson leads the conference in receiving yards and Rudi Johnson is fourth in rushing.
With the passing game ineffective last week, Rudi Johnson rushed for a season-high 169 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 victory over Cleveland.
While Lewis turned around the Bengals, Steve Mariucci was unable to do the same for the Lions. Mariucci was fired on November 28 and replaced by defensive coordinator Dick Jauron on an interim basis.
Detroit, which already has clinched its fifth straight losing season, has dropped both of its games under Jauron.
Last week, the Lions lost their fourth straight contest, dropping a 16-13 decision at Green Bay. Jeff Garcia, who has replaced Joey Harrington as the starter, has thrown for just 238 total yards in the two games under Jauron.
A perennial laughingstock, the Bengals can clinch the AFC North title Sunday with a win over the reeling Detroit Lions.
The Bengals have not won a division title since capturing the AFC Central in 1988, when they went 12-4 and reached the Super Bowl. They last made the playoffs in 1990 after going 9-7.
Cincinnati also can clinch the division if Pittsburgh loses at Minnesota on Sunday. The Bengals lead the Steelers by two games and own the tiebreaker advantage due to a better division record.
In coach Marvin Lewis' third season, the Bengals would seem to have the pieces in place to be a regular playoff participant.
Quarterback Carson Palmer is the AFC's second-rated passer, Chad Johnson leads the conference in receiving yards and Rudi Johnson is fourth in rushing.
With the passing game ineffective last week, Rudi Johnson rushed for a season-high 169 yards and a touchdown in a 23-20 victory over Cleveland.
While Lewis turned around the Bengals, Steve Mariucci was unable to do the same for the Lions. Mariucci was fired on November 28 and replaced by defensive coordinator Dick Jauron on an interim basis.
Detroit, which already has clinched its fifth straight losing season, has dropped both of its games under Jauron.
Last week, the Lions lost their fourth straight contest, dropping a 16-13 decision at Green Bay. Jeff Garcia, who has replaced Joey Harrington as the starter, has thrown for just 238 total yards in the two games under Jauron.
