TREY HENDRICKSON

The Bengals may be the AFC's most dangerous team headed into the playoffs, where they'll meet the Ravens again next week.

Brett Maher kicked a 50-yard field goal as time expired, and the Dallas Cowboys held on to beat the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 after losing a two-touchdown halftime lead.

Joe Burrow said he didn’t spend any time second-guessing himself or pondering what might have been after the Bengals’ Super Bowl loss.

Bengals Chiefs Football Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson, right, during the second half of the AFC championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. You see, pass rushing is a passion for the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end. “The first thing you have to mention when you talk about Trey is his intensity,” Bengals defensive line coach Marion Hobby said. He has 2 1/2 sacks in three playoff games, including 1 1/2 at Kansas City in the AFC championship. His 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame in high school made him an ideal defensive end at Apopka High School.

Trey Hendrickson was once a touchdown-catching tight end in high school.

Across both Super Bowl rosters, there is a great divide.

The Chicago Bears have placed quarterback Justin Fields on the reserve/COVID-19 list, likely sidelining him for the finale and ending his rookie season.

The AFC North champion Cincinnati Bengals won’t play quarterback Joe Burrow this week to make sure he is healthy for the first round of the playoffs.

Ravens Bengals Football Baltimore Ravens' Josh Johnson (15) looks to throw against Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson (91) during the fist half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) (Jeff Dean)Cincinnati sacks leader Trey Hendrickson and three other starters are among five Bengals that were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Tuesday. About the same number of players — approximately 20 — went on and came off the COVID-19 list Tuesday. Two backups went on the COVID-19 list in Zach Kerr and linebacker Tanner Vallejo. Lineman Billy Turner went on the COVID-19 list.

Ravens Bengals Football Baltimore Ravens' Josh Johnson (15) looks to throw against Cincinnati Bengals' Trey Hendrickson (91) during the fist half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) (Jeff Dean)Cincinnati sacks leader Trey Hendrickson and three other starters are among five Bengals that were placed on the COVID-19 reserve list Tuesday. Center Trey Hopkins and left guard Quinton Spain were sidelined along with safety Vonn Bell. The Bengals (10-6) have clinched the AFC North title for their first trip to the playoffs since the 2015 season. The NFL is allowing players to return five days after a positive COVID-19 test if they don't have symptoms.

Cincinnati sacks leader Trey Hendrickson and three other starters are among five Bengals that have been placed on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Jimmy Garoppolo threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Aiyuk and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 26-23 in overtime.

(AP Photo/Gary McCullough, File)For people wondering where is all the free-agent quarterback movement as the NFL's “legal tampering” period enters its second day, well, calm down. He started seven and played in nine games last season for Miami, throwing for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He will be replaced as Tua Tagovailoa's backup by Brissett, who will get a one-year, $5 million deal in Miami. The Bengals also reached agreement with Pittsburgh safety Mike Hilton on a four-year, $24 million contract, also according to a person with knowledge of the deal. Kelly signed a three-year, $21 million deal exactly a year ago and started all 16 games at right tackle.

Regardless, on Monday, two days before the NFL's 2021 business year begins, the 32 teams and agents for the players will be making deals. “Legal tampering, and tampering is illegal? AdOf course, free agency always is a buyer-beware situation. AdVoila: Lavonte David, a key linebacker, was re-signed, and several other key guys in the title run could be back. “We do have some money from a cap standpoint that we can spend; but again, it’s an interesting year.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) passes in the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. The victory kept the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (13-1) in pole position to capture the AFC's lone playoff bye as a No. Mahomes' second TD toss looked more like a basketball assist, a chest-pass to tight end Travis Kelce cutting behind blockers for a 1-yard score. With two timeouts remaining, the Saints kicked deep, but could not prevent Mahomes and Co. from running out the clock. Saints: Receiver Tre'Quan Smith and safety Marcus Williams each left with ankle injuries in the second half.