When the Cincinnati Bengals took the field on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, the AFC North title looked more attainable than it had been all season.
The injury-riddled Baltimore Ravens had just lost when the Bengals kicked off against San Francisco. With a win, the Bengals would be in first place, fully in control of their own destiny.
Then the Bengals played their worst three quarters of the season. In a 26-23 overtime loss to the 49ers, the Bengals didn’t play like a playoff team, making the types of mistakes that can ruin a season.
"You can’t beat yourself," Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard said.