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Articles by Dave Niinemets
Bengals drop feeble Dolphins in get-right game as Samaje Perine makes statement in backfield
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Cincinnati Bengals snapped a two-game losing streak with a 31-24 win over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. Joe Burrow threw four touchdown passes, including a 45-yard bomb to Ja’Marr Chase, who made his latest circus catch for a score, as the Bengals moved to 3-2.
Darius Slay, 6-time Pro Bowl cornerback with Lions and Eagles, announces retirement
Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay announced his retirement on Monday. Slay, 35, spent seven seasons with the Detroit Lions and five with the Philadelphia Eagles before playing 10 games for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025. The Buffalo Bills claimed him last season after the Steelers released him, but he didn't report. kAm%96 >2? ?:4<?2>65 Qq:8 !=2J $=2JQ HC@E6 @? x?DE28C2>i Qx H2??2 E92?< J@F 7@C 2== J@FVG6 5@?6 7@C >6] xVG6 366? 3=6DD65 E@ A=2J E96 82>6 x =@G65 D:?46 x H2D d J62CD @=5 7@C 2?
Broncos vs. Jaguars takeaways: Trevor Lawrence's 4 TDs fuel Jaguars' big AFC win
One winning streak continued while another ended with the Jacksonville Jaguars beating the Denver Broncos 34-20 on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Jacksonville's win also changed the complexion of the AFC playoff picture. kAm%96 y28F2CDV D:IE9 DEC2:89E H:? >@G65 E96> E@ ``\c 2?5 <6AE E96> 2E@A E96 pur $@FE9 H:E9 E96 E9:C5 D665 :? E96 4@?76C6?46] %96 w@FDE@? %6I2?DV H:? @G6C E96 {2D '682D #2:56CD @? $F?52J <6AE y24<D@?G:==6 7C@> 4=:?49:?8 2 A=2J@77 DA@E[ 3FE :E 42?
Broncos vs. Jaguars takeaways: Trevor Lawrence’s 4 TDs fuel Jaguars’ big AFC win
One winning streak continued while another ended with the Jacksonville Jaguars beating the Denver Broncos 34-20 on Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High. Jacksonville’s win also changed the complexion of the AFC playoff picture. The Jaguars’ sixth straight win moved them to 11-4 and kept them atop the AFC South with the third seed in the conference.
Bengals Ja’Marr Chase apologizes for spitting, but not to Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey
Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has apologized for the spitting incident during a matchup with the Steelers in Week 11 that resulted in him missing Sunday’s loss to the Patriots. However, while he apologized to the Bengals, Steelers, fans and the NFL community in an Instagram post on Monday afternoon, he didn’t apologize to the player on whom he spat, Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey. The incident occurred in the fourth quarter of the Bengals’ 34-12 loss to the Steelers this month.
Bengals Ja'Marr Chase apologizes for spitting, but not to Steelers' Jalen Ramsey
Welcome to The Athletic's 2025 NFL Playoff Simulator, where you'll find everything you need to know about all the ways your favorite team's se…
The Bengals came into the 2025 NFL season with an all-in approach after locking down receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to big deals and reworking Trey Hendrickson’s contract right before the season. That plan burst into flames in Week 2 with Joe Burrow’s Grade 3 turf toe injury, which is expected to shelve him for three months. The question now: Will they continue to go all-in by making a splash for a new starting QB? Let’s be real, it’s the Bengals, so that’s unlikely.
Joe Burrow injury: Bengals' QB options beyond Jake Browning
The Bengals came into the 2025 NFL season with an all-in approach after locking down receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to big deals and reworking Trey Hendrickson's contract right before the season. That plan burst into flames in Week 2 with Joe Burrow's Grade 3 turf toe injury, which is expected to shelve him for three months. The question now: Will they continue to go all-in by making a splash for a new starting QB? Let's be real, it's the Bengals, so that's unlikely.
NFL preseason scores and live updates: Latest from today’s games including Browns vs. Eagles and Patriots vs. Vikings
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NFL preseason scores and live updates: Latest from today’s games including Browns vs. Eagles and Patriots vs. Vikings Follow live as Week 2 of the NFL preseason rolls on with 22 teams in action today August 16, 2025 at 5:05 PM UTC Getty Images NFL Preseason Week 2: Latest The 2025 NFL Preseason continues today as the bulk of Week 2 action takes place with 11 games.
By Austin Green, Dave Niinemets, Matt Schneidman Verified, Jeff Howe Verified, Zac Jackson Verified, Nicki Jhabvala Verified, Michael Charles Verified
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The Athletic
Verified
How to avoid Thanksgiving political debate hell
Contentious. Nasty. Divisive. Polarizing. They’re all words that could describe this year’s presidential election. They’ll also describe something else for many people as a result of said election: Thanksgiving with the family. Yes, the Thanksgiving dinner table will be where red and blue collide in some epic knock-down, drag-out debates and surely many are dreading this opinionated battle royale.
Who would you put with Paul Brown and Anthony Muñoz in the Bengals' inaugural Ring of Honor class?
Who would you put with Paul Brown and Anthony Muñoz in the Bengals’ inaugural Ring of Honor class? The Bengals announced on Thursday the formation of a long-awaited Ring of Honor and we know two inaugural members will be team founder Paul Brown and Hall of Fame offensive tackle Anthony Muñoz. Two more will be decided by season ticket holders and suite holders.
Statistically speaking: 6 Reds who have stepped up during the playoff surge
Most of the 2020 Reds season has been an exercise in one step forward and two steps back. July, August and into September saw occasional glimpses of the team’s potential — notably starters Sonny Gray and Trevor Bauer living up to expectations — that were undermined by sometimes disastrous relief pitching, sluggish hitting and even COVID-19 testing confusion. But the switch flipped starting with a win over the Cardinals on Sept.
These three records by Cincinnati stars will likely never be broken
The phrase “records were made to be broken” is a cliché, but it’s also true in sports. No matter how lofty a bar is set, someone could come along and top it. It seemed unfathomable that Lou Gehrig’s ironman streak would be surpassed, then came Cal Ripken Jr. It appeared in 1984 that Dan Marino’s 5,084 passing yards in a season would be unreachable, but thanks to the now pass-happy NFL, that has been eclipsed nine times — all since 2011.
‘The Baseball Bunch’ quiz: We’ve got a hunch you’ll love this trivia challenge
Go up to any Gen Xer who grew up a baseball fan and say: “We’ve got a hunch you’ll love … ” Almost certainly, they will enthusiastically finish your sentence with “The Baseball Bunch,” recalling the catchiest line from the opening theme of the 1980s baseball educational show. Kids in the early ‘80s who were hungry for baseball didn’t have MLB Network, MLB The Show or smartphones with every highlight at their fingertips.
What are your thoughts on FC Cincinnati hiring Jaap Stam as its new head coach?
FC Cincinnati has its new head coach as the club announced 47-year-old Dutchman Jaap Stam was hired for the position on Thursday. Join us in welcoming the new head coach of #FCCincy, Jaap Stam. 📰: https://t.co/DP0FEepraD pic.twitter.com/SqGNATdHov — FC Cincinnati (@fccincinnati) May 21, 2020 Stam has managed in England and the Netherlands after a 15-year playing career as a center back that included notable stops at Manchester United, AC Milan and Ajax.
Staff picks: Choosing the best and worst uniforms of Cincinnati teams
If you’ve perused The Athletic the past few weeks, you’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly of uniforms around sports. From the simple beauty of the New York Yankees’ classic duds all the way down to Adidas’ heinous 2013 postseason college basketball abominations, our writers have chronicled the best and the worst. Such critiquing can certainly be applied to Cincinnati sports, as we have had more than our fair share of hits and misses.
Discussion topic: Give us your thoughts on Andy Dalton as Bengals release him
It wasn’t unexpected but Andy Dalton was released by the Bengals on Thursday. The veteran quarterback became expendable when the team drafted Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow with the No. 1 overall pick last week. Will you remember Good Andy – the quarterback who led the team to five straight playoff appearances to start his career and is the franchise career leader in completions and touchdown passes?
My Favorite Player: Tony Gwynn
Editor's note: This week, The Athletic 's writers are offering essays on some of their favorite athletes. Read more of them here. I was a couple of weeks away from turning 14 years old in August 1985 when my mom asked me if I'd be interested in two Reds tickets for a game in September against the Padres.
Discuss: What’s your outlook for FC Cincinnati in 2020 now that Ron Jans is out?
FC Cincinnati hasn’t had a long history, but you wouldn’t know it from the list of managerial changes it’s already had. The latest being Ron Jans’ resignation on Tuesday morning as an investigation took place for accusations that he used racially insensitive language. Yoann Damet now begins his second stint as interim head coach while General Manager Gerard Nijkamp begins the search for a new head coach.
Discussion topic: Does Pete Rose have a valid argument about reinstatement?
As reported by ESPN’s Don Van Natta Jr., Pete Rose has sent a petition to Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred requesting that his ban from baseball be lifted. Van Natta Jr. reports that Rose’s lawyers claim his punishment has been “vastly disproportionate” to MLB penalties for PED violators and more recently, the players involved in the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal.
Five South team players the Bengals staff should get to know...
The Senior Bowl will be a very different experience for Bengals coaches this year. Last year’s showcase of college football talent came in the wake of the team parting ways with longtime coach Marvin Lewis, leaving seven staff holdovers to form a makeshift group representing the Bengals in Mobile, Ala. It’s the polar opposite this year with the Bengals staff plugged into the game as much as any team as Zac Taylor and his crew coach the South squad.
Give us your thoughts on the Reds signing Shogo Akiyama
The Reds made it official on Monday, signing Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama after a week of speculation that they were the frontrunners to get him. The 31-year-old becomes the first Japanese player the Reds have signed. Cincinnati is the last major league club to do so.
Give us your thoughts on former Bengals coach Sam Wyche
Sad news came out Thursday that former Bengals coach Sam Wyche died at the age of 74 after a battle with melanoma. The colorful Wyche began his pro football career with the Bengals as a quarterback in 1968, playing three seasons before moving on to the Detroit Lions. But he is better known by most for his years coaching the Bengals from 1984 to 1991. The Bill Walsh disciple is second in games and wins among Bengals coaches and finished with a 61-66 record in his eight seasons in Cincinnati.
Discussion topic: Is going back to Andy Dalton the right move for the Bengals?
The Bengals have had three games to evaluate rookie quarterback Ryan Finley and he has struggled. However, it has helped the team keep the top draft position with the league’s only winless record. Head coach Zac Taylor announced Monday that the team will turn back to veteran Andy Dalton to start on Sunday against the Jets. The #Bengals have named Andy Dalton starting QB for Week 13.
What are your thoughts about A.J. Green likely missing another game?
What are your thoughts about A.J. Green likely missing another game? It had appeared A.J. Green was on track to play Sunday against the Ravens, but now it looks like the Bengals’ star receiver will once again sit out with a sore ankle. A.J. Green says ankle is swollen. Asked if he is going to play Sunday: “Probably not.” #Bengals — Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 7, 2019 Fans have varying opinions floating around on Twitter and in comments sections.
Give us your reaction to Andy Dalton being benched by the Bengals
The Bengals announced Tuesday that longtime starting quarterback Andy Dalton will be benched and rookie Ryan Finley is expected to start after the bye week. Is that what you wanted? Do you have concerns about it? Should this have been done sooner or should Dalton have continued to start for the 0-8 team? Let us know your thoughts. (Top image: Charles LeClaire / USA TODAY Sports
Player turnover looms as Nijkamp, Jans work on their ideal FC Cincinnati roster
CINCINNATI – Justin Hoyte penned what appeared to be a farewell “thank you” to FC Cincinnati fans who supported him the past three years. Alvas Powell posted on Snapchat last week that he would soon be telling Cincinnati “goodbye.” Others are still unsure what the future holds, and those who are set to return are wondering what kind of roster they will be part of next year.
How do you think Jonah Williams’ injury will impact the Bengals?
The Bengals announced Tuesday that 2019 first-round pick Jonah Williams will have shoulder surgery that could cost him the season. #Bengals news alert: Awful news coming out of PBS. Shoulder surgery looks like it will sideline first-round pick Jonah Williams for the season.
How do you feel about FC Cincinnati firing Alan Koch?
FC Cincinnati confirmed this morning that Alan Koch has been relieved of his duties as head coach. Do you feel like this was the right move, given the club’s current goal-scoring drought and losing streak? Or do you think Koch deserved more time to establish the club in MLS? And what would you like to see out of the next head coach? Let us know in the comments. (Top image: Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)
What’s your reaction to John Brannen becoming UC’s next hoops coach?
His name has been brought up a lot since Mick Cronin left for UCLA and now Northern Kentucky University’s John Brannen will become the new head coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats men’s basketball team, according to a UC press release. How do you feel about the hire? Is he who you wanted, and if so, why? Or did you want someone else, and if so, whom and why? How do you feel the Bearcats will do moving forward under Brannen?
Discussion topic: What are your thoughts on Mick Cronin’s coaching future?
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Discussion topic: What’s your biggest takeaway from the Reds’ Opening Day win?
What stuck out to you most in the Reds’ Opening Day win over the Pirates? Let us know the good or the bad that stood out to you.
Where are the Bearcats’ big basketball rivalries in the AAC?
This time a year ago I wrote about the budding rivalry between Cincinnati and Wichita State. It was something that would help raise the profile of both basketball programs as well as the American Athletic Conference – two highly ranked teams making their winner-take-all mark on a national stage. But after UC cruised to its second double-digit win of the season over the Shockers earlier this month and with Wichita sitting on a 13-12 overall record, that assessment proved premature.
Live Reds Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans at noon Thursday
Subscribe Now Subscribe now to get access to this discussion and all the smart, in-depth coverage on The Athletic. No ads, no pop-ups, no clickbait - just quality journalism from an all-star team of writers. Get 20% off
19 for 2019: The most intriguing Cincinnati athletes to keep an eye on this year
What can we expect in Cincinnati sports in 2019? If we knew that, we would book a trip to Vegas ASAP. Since we don’t, members of The Athletic Cincinnati’s staff have put our heads together to come up with 19 Cincinnati players to watch in ’19. The parameters: It can be someone from our local teams or someone from the area performing elsewhere. It can be a player on the rise, someone heading into a pivotal year or someone who has had high expectations placed on them. Writers C.
After 16 seasons, Marvin Lewis is out in Cincinnati. Who might take over for the Bengals?
The Marvin Lewis era has ended so that leaves the question: Who’s next? That decision could make the difference between turning the corner to contention or suffering a miserable decade in Cincinnati. There is, of course, one name that is everyone’s odds-on favorite, even though it’s not necessarily everyone’s favorite.
Highlighting The Athletic Cincinnati’s best for some holiday reading
You’re spending a lot of time with family right now and it’s a good thing – catching up with those you haven’t seen this year, seeing smiles on faces as gifts are opened, gorging on big meals, snacks and beverages. But let’s face it, you need some breaks from the action. Somewhere between feigning excitement over the Bob Ross Chia Pet you unwrapped and trying to remain neutral in political debates, you need some you time. I’m here to help.
Column: A strong UC/Wichita St. rivalry benefits the Bearcats and AAC
CINCINNATI – Mention the name Diego Guevara and you’ll get a reaction out of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball fans of a certain age. Guevara likely doesn’t mean a thing to a current UC student, but to those who followed the Bearcats in the Bob Huggins heyday, the Charlotte guard was the ultimate bad guy at the Myrl H. Shoemaker Center in the late ‘90s and into 2000.
Which Cincinnati Bearcats have had the best NBA careers?
In June, Jacob Evans could become the 11th Cincinnati Bearcat to be a first-round NBA Draft pick, if some mock drafts prove accurate. That is if he doesn’t decide to go back to UC. Evans’ Bearcats teammate, Gary Clark, will also have a shot at the NBA, and former UC star Sean Kilpatrick just signed a multiyear deal with the Chicago Bulls. Add in the Pacers' Lance Stephenson, and UC could have a small but solid NBA presence in the coming years.
By the numbers: Counting down 12 All-Star Game facts in Reds history
Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game takes its share of criticism, whether it be because the game doesn’t really mean anything or that voting for starters is a popularity contest. But in the end, a player’s career résumé will include his number of All-Star appearances, and when they get to the rare air of double-digit Midsummer Classics, they’re almost always headed for the Hall of Fame.
State of The Athletic Cincinnati: Football’s here, hoops are nearing and yes, we have a UC writer
The sports calendar is one of many intersections. As soon as one sport’s season ends, another is just getting started. We’re in the midst of one of those transitions as baseball and soccer (well, in the U.S. at least) wind down, college and NFL football begin and college basketball is on the horizon. Each change of season is also a new frontier for The Athletic Cincinnati.
Live Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans on 7/31 from 5-6 p.m. ET to talk trade deadline
Live Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans on 7/31 from 5-6 p.m. ET to talk trade deadline C. Trent Rosecrans will answer questions from 5 to 6 p.m. ET today about the moves the Reds did or didn’t make at the trade deadline. Feel free to join the conversation.
Recap: Xavier basketball Q&A with Shannon Russell on 7/19
Thank you for all the great questions in our live Q&A with Shannon Russell about Xavier basketball. You can check out a recap of the discussion.
Live Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans on July 13 from noon to 1 p.m. ET
Live Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans on July 13 from noon to 1 p.m. ET The Athletic Cincinnati’s Reds writer C. Trent Rosecrans will answer Reds questions from noon to 1 p.m. today. Here is some of our recent Reds content:
Live Reds Q&A with C. Trent Rosecrans from 11 a.m.-noon EST on 6/8
C. Trent Rosecrans will take your questions LIVE for one hour at 11 a.m. EST. Join to ask any burning questions you have about the Reds.
MLS history shows FC Cincinnati can find success quickly as an expansion club
It’s no secret that Cincinnati could use a winner. We’re nearly two decades removed from the Bengals’ last playoff win. We’re a few years into the Reds’ seemingly endless rebuild. University of Cincinnati football is still trying to de-Tuberville and our two winning teams – UC and Xavier basketball – managed to be upset in the most improbable ways on the same day of the most recent NCAA Tournament.
Early All-Star watch: Which Reds have a chance to make it?
It may seem too early to be talking All-Star Game, but it won’t be long before you’re scrolling through the MLB ballot on your phone while sitting in a staff meeting or killing time in the doctor’s office waiting room. The Reds obviously aren’t having a first half that’ll earn an exhibit in the team’s hall of fame, but the rules mandate someone must make the National League squad. Zack Cozart won the fan vote popularity contest to start at shortstop last season, but he’s with the Angels now.
Has the grass been greener for hoops coaches who’ve left Cincinnati schools?
CINCINNATI – The end of the college basketball season always marks the beginning of a silly season — the frenzy of coaching vacancies and candidates being rumored for them. We have that right now as media and fans in both Louisville and Cincinnati are seeking any clues as to whether Xavier coach Chris Mack is being courted and/or is considering the head-coaching job at the University of Louisville. Amid the speculation is the feeling by some that the new opportunities aren't always better.
A Crosstown Shootout championship game would be amazing … and a unicorn
CINCINNATI – A Crosstown Shootout National Championship game. Let that thought sink in for a second. Aside from Pete Rose riding into his Cooperstown enshrinement ceremony atop Fiona the hippo while eating a Skyline cheese coney, there is nothing else that would make Cincinnati’s collective head explode with excitement more than this scenario. And with both teams looking at top-two seeds, it's certainly feasible.
Here are 9 connections 'Seinfeld' had to Cincinnati 20 years after show's finale
CINCINNATI -- Want to feel old? Well, this should do it -- 2018 marks 20 years since “Seinfeld” concluded with a two-part episode that finished with Jerry, Elaine, George and Kramer in jail essentially for being heartless jerks. But man, they were funny heartless jerks.Jerry Seinfeld coincidentally will be in Cincinnati on Feb. 3 for a stand-up performance at the Aronoff Center, so what better time to link his iconic show to the Queen City?
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