CINCINNATI – The Bengals have gotten back into playoff contention by winning games in a lopsided way.
A 34-10 win over the Oakland Raiders on Sunday was Cincinnati's third in a row. All three have been by at least 18 points, the first time a Bengals team has strung together three straight blowouts since 1976.
At 6-5, they're back in contention, tied with Pittsburgh for the final AFC wild-card berth. The Steelers won at Paul Brown Stadium earlier this season, giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Coach Marvin Lewis said Monday that the Bengals are "not in great position, but OK position." They're at San Diego (4-7) next Sunday, followed by a home game against Dallas (5-6). They play at Philadelphia (3-7) and Pittsburgh before hosting AFC North leader Baltimore (9-2).
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