The Bengals can clinch a playoff berth this week with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens, but right now, they're just hoping to pack their stadium.
↵↵↵"I just want to thank the fans who were out there today," defensive tackle Domata Peko said. "We really felt you guys out there, and that helped us out big time. I really want to encourage all of the Cincinnati fans to come out and cheer us on as we try to make the playoffs."
↵The franchise's two decades of futility have brought about the strange situation: a team begging for fans as it closes in on the playoffs.
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I'm rooting for them, and not only because a Cincinnati win would clear a path for a first-round bye for the Steelers. The Bengals had a tough 2010 season and, with the departure of Carson Palmer, a tough offseason, and it's been a pleasant surprise that they've gotten this far.
↵The Bengals really want fans to turn out this week - Joe Kay (via Steelers Depot) reports that they're handing out food and hot chocolate on Monday to fans who are in line to purchase tickets for the Ravens game.
↵For more on the Bengals, check out Cincy Jungle.