INSIDE SLANT

NFL Team Report - Cincinnati Bengals</h2><br>RB Mixon stands out in difficult season<p></p> The Cincinnati Bengals are officially out of playoff contention and now they can focus on spoiling things for the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers as they conclude their third straight losing season.<p></p> With a lengthy injured list that includes top receiver A.J. Green and quarterback Andy Dalton, a theme of the next two weeks of an otherwise disappointing season is continuing to see positive things from a young core.<p></p> The young core includes Tyler Boyd, who is now the top receiver since Green is out. However, Boyd has an MCL sprain in his right knee that kept him out of practice Wednesday but it's still possible he plays Sunday at Cleveland.<p></p> This represents some rare good news for the Bengals, who won four of five and were 5-3 only to lose five straight before Sunday's 30-16 win over Oakland in the home finale before 44,588 fans.<p></p> Those who comprised the second-smallest crowd at Paul Brown Stadium watched Boyd reach 1,000 yards for the first time before exiting.<p></p> Boyd finished with 22 catches and 225 yards in 10 games last season prompting some fans to use the bust label. In his third year, Boyd is up to 76 receptions and 1,028 yards along with seven touchdowns.<p></p> It also includes Joe Mixon, who is emerging as the No. 1 running back. Mixon highlighted a career-best 129-yard showing with a 47-yard run up the middle and down the sideline.<p></p> Mixon enters the last two weeks with 240 rushing yards on 53 carries in his last two games. He is five yards away from becoming Cincinnati's first 1,000-yard rusher since Jeremy Hill in 2014.<p></p> Sam Hubbard was among the brighter spots during the ugly losing streak and continued to play well. His 2.5 sacks upped his total to six, 3.5 shy of Carlos Dunlap's rookie record.<p></p> "All our newest core pieces stepped up today," Dunlap said. "Without looking into the future because we're trying to finish strong, that's what we've got."<p></p> "Sammie's a beast. I've got nothing but positive things to say about Sam," Mixon said. "He's going to be a monster in this league."<p></p> Hubbard is third on the team in sacks before the big guys Dunlap and Geno Atkins. He has 34 tackles with 13 coming in the last four games.<p></p> And at 6-foot-8, anticipating production and notable plays from their youthful trio is something for the Bengals to enjoy in an otherwise disappointing season that may end with Marvin Lewis becoming the former head coach.<p></p> And if you want to throw another youngster into the mix then include third-year receiver Alex Erickson, whose 77-yard kickoff return with five minutes left helped set up Mixon's 15-yard touchdown.<p></p> "To me that's how you build a team," Erickson said. "Even if you don't have guys that aren't hurt, its guys stepping in whenever needed, no matter the situation."<p></p> SERIES HISTORY: 91st regular-season meeting. Bengals lead series, 50-40. The Browns won in Cincinnati by scoring the first 28 points in a 35-20 win on Nov. 25. 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