Sunday wasn't exactly a masterpiece. It wasn't quite a reason to believe the Bengals have found special late-season magic.
But it was a win.
For the first time since Oct. 28 against Tampa Bay, this team in a tailspin could enjoy a different feeling. It's been a long road and future change still looms large on the horizon, but for one day these players who have been caught in the undertow for a month-and-a-half took a breath of fresh air.
It came in the form a 30-16 victory against the Oakland Raiders.
The Bengals (6-8) were leaning with all their weight on Joe Mixon and Tyler Boyd offensively against the Raiders (3-11).