AFC North Champions

Rudi Johnson and Cincinnati can now celebrate.

The Cincinnati Bengals clinched the AFC North title with their 41-17 victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. The city of Cincinnati may now rejoice and celebrate their early Christmas presents. Monday December 19 should be a holiday and a day off of work for a city that has waited so long for this feeling. Their win Sunday ends a fifteen year playoff drought, and it assures the Bengals of at least one home game in the post season. This win was for the veterans on this team who have never experienced winning. It was for Willie Anderson, Rich Braham, and Brian Simmons. It was for Marvin Lewis who has turned around the image and philosophy of Bengal football. It would only be fitting for the Bengals to return in February to the place where they clinched their playoff birth. A return to Detroit and a trip to the Super Bowl could be in Cincinnati's plans if they continue playing the way that they are now. Here are some other notes on the Bengals' win:

• Kelley Washington stepped up in a big way with 4 catches for 48 yards and 1 TD. He was filling in for Chris Henry who was deactivated following his arrest Thursday morning for drug possession. This has been a key for this team all year. Guys doing their jobs and helping out when needed.
• Carson Palmer played better than last week by throwing for 3 TDs and 274 yards, but he threw two more interceptions on bad throws into coverage. These mistakes are okay when playing Detroit, but in the playoffs he will need to eliminate the poor throws in order to advance.
• Chad Johnson reappeared after having only two catches last week. He had a career high 11 receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. He was consistently getting open in important spots, and his play opened the field for the rest of the offense.
• Rudi Johnson had another determined performance running for 117 yards on 24 carries. He also had two touchdown runs and he had one of his most impressive runs late in the game when he went for 33 yards by breaking 3+ tackles. Being able to run the football is extremely important when playing football in January.
• The Detroit quarterbacking situation is a complete mess. Neither Jeff Garcia nor Joey Harrington have shown the ability to successfully lead their team all year. Garcia was picked off 3 times before leaving in favor of Harrington late in the game. Harrington played well in limited action throwing for a touchdown, but the Lions have all but given up on him, and his future looks limited at best in the NFL.
  
• Marvin Lewis deserves serious consideration for NFL coach of the year. He has turned around the image and play of this franchise, and his fingerprints are all over this division title. No offense to Tony Dungy, but Dungy had Manning, James, and Harrison in place when he arrived in Indianapolis. The only thing that they have accomplished this year is not choking to cost them home field advantage. Marvin Lewis has done more with less in his three years in Cincinnati than Dungy has since he arrived in Indy.
  
• The Bengals have been able to get up early on opponents all year, and this has been critical to their success. When playing ahead, their opportunistic defense is able to go after the ball when it is in the air, and their offense has taken advantage of the multiple turnovers it has received. This will be the key if the Bengals want to make a run in the playoffs and a run at the Super Bowl.

Lookout playoffs, here come the Bengals.

The Bengals are a team that no one wants to play in the post season because of their explosive offense and ball hawking defense. They present match up problems against every team they play, and they have the quarterback that can exploit those match ups. This combined with their no huddle makes them a troublesome opponent for any team they might have to play in January.