Winter weather made its presence felt across the sports landscape, but most of the weekend slate pushed through. Snow, wind, and poor visibility turned the Denver–New England Conference Championship into a grind, while quarterback storylines in Minnesota and a wide-open Super Bowl matchup added intrigue. And with baseball around the corner, Reds fans finally have something warm to look forward to.

Indiana sports wrote the script of the year. Indiana University football captured a national championship under Coach Curt Cignetti and now holds a story fit for the big screen. Meanwhile, Buffalo shook up the NFL by parting ways with Sean McDermott despite his winning record and postseason consistency. In the MAC, Miami continues its undefeated run and now sits at number 25 in the national rankings. Looking ahead to spring, baseball futures favor the Los Angeles Dodgers with early distance over the Yankees, Mariners, Phillies, and Blue Jays. Ben breaks down why value plays may take time to emerge as odds settle.

In this week’s edition of The Key: The AFC North is officially out of the Super Bowl chase following the Steelers' Wild Card loss. Plus, baseball fever returns as Redsfest takes over the newly renovated convention center with stars like Elly De La Cruz and Barry Larkin. Finally, Ben’s Best Bets breaks down the favorites to win the Australian Open tennis tournament.

College football opens the new year with an unexpected Final Four featuring Ole Miss, Miami, Oregon and undefeated Indiana, while fan interest hits new highs. The NFL story is far less novel for Cincinnati as the Bengals stay the course in their front office decisions, prompting pushback from fans and comparison to Baltimore’s willingness to move on from John Harbaugh. Looking ahead to the postseason, the lack of Patrick Mahomes creates a new betting landscape with BetMGM making Seattle the favorite, followed closely by the Rams in the NFC and Denver in the AFC, with Buffalo and New England in contention. Expect strong viewership and strong opinions in both leagues.

It's all about the money. The Bengals' high-paid offense struggles, the Reds miss out on Kyle Schwarber, and UC quarterback Brendan Sorsby eyes a big payday in the transfer portal. Plus, Ben's best bet for the NFL playoffs.

With the Bengals' playoff hopes all but gone and Trey Hendrickson out, focus shifts to the future. Meanwhile, the Reds miss out on a Kyle Schwarber reunion, major college programs opt out of Bowl Season, and Ben predicts a historic Heisman trophy for the Indiana Hoosiers.

The Bengals are mathematically alive (barely), Redsfest has a new January date, and the Crosstown Shootout returns to the Cintas Center where UC faces a 24-year curse. Plus, we say a final goodbye to a beloved local broadcasting engineer.

A Thanksgiving miracle or a risky return? All signs point to Joe Burrow starting against Baltimore this Thursday, but with the playoffs largely out of reach, is it the right move? We break down the QB drama, recap a heartbreaking weekend for Cincinnati sports fans (from UC to FC Cincy), and preview the massive showdown between Ohio State and Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The Key for the week of November 17 looks at a rough turn for the Bengals, a spotlight moment for UC, and a high-stakes showdown for FC Cincinnati. The Bengals lost control of their season after another tough performance and growing frustration on the field. UC prepares for Big Noon Kickoff in Clifton with national attention on the Bearcats as they try to stay alive in the Big 12 race. FC Cincinnati hosts Leo Messi and Miami in a win or go home match that promises intensity and drama. Ben also reflects on the final edition of the Farmers’ Almanac and the end of a two-century run.

Joe Burrow is back in pads, but is it worth risking the franchise quarterback if the Bengals' division hopes are fading? Ben weighs in on QB1's potential Thanksgiving return.

Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati is laser-focused on their next playoff test: Leo Messi and Miami. After dumping Columbus, the Orange and Blue host their superstar rival on November 23.

And don't sleep on the UC Bearcats. With a huge Senior Day game against BYU looming, Cincinnati is surprisingly in the hunt for the Big XII title and a potential College Football Playoff spot.

Plus, get "Ben’s Best Bet" on a Heisman Trophy dark horse who might just steal the award.

A tough week for Cincinnati sports fans as the Bengals’ season all but ends, FC Cincinnati faces elimination, and the Dodgers’ high-priced roster proves money talks. Ben breaks down the heartbreak, highlights, and odds heading into next season across the NFL, MLS, and NBA.

The Bengals’ defensive woes highlight a tough reality as Lou Anarumo thrives in Indy. Meanwhile, Brian Kelly’s $54 million exit adds drama to college football, the Cyclones return with fan-favorite promos, and FC Cincinnati eyes redemption in a high-stakes “Hell Is Real” playoff clash. It’s a week full of storylines, rivalries, and bets worth watching.

From unexpected quarterback heroics to playoff rematches and October baseball dominance, this week in sports delivered plenty of drama. Veteran quarterbacks turned back the clock, FC Cincinnati braces for a heated “Hell is Real” playoff showdown, and the Dodgers look nearly unstoppable on their march toward another title. Plus, Ben’s Best Bet gives you the smart play for the World Series.

Cincinnati’s fall sports storylines are heating up. The Reds are clinging to a wild card chance after capitalizing on a Mets slide, with a pivotal home series against the Pirates before a daunting road trip to Milwaukee. The Bengals stumbled in Minnesota but remain tied atop the AFC North heading into a Monday night matchup with Denver. FC Cincinnati has already secured a playoff spot and remains in the hunt for the Supporters Shield with just a few matches left. Beyond the Queen City, all eyes turn to Bethpage Black as the Ryder Cup returns, with Team USA looking to reclaim momentum against Europe.