National Football League

Bengals beg fans to show up vs. Ravens

Published Dec. 25, 2011 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Bengals are one victory away from reaching the playoffs, but they still can't draw much of a crowd.

They had another small one for a 23-16 win over Arizona on Saturday that moved them to 9-6, securing only their third winning record in the last 21 years. With a victory next Sunday over Baltimore, they would clinch the final AFC wild-card berth and get a chance for their first playoff win since the 1990 season.

They're lobbying for fans to finally show up for the big game. They drew only 41,273 on Saturday and have played before the smallest crowds in Paul Brown Stadium history this season.

There are longstanding fan resentments over the team's ownership and its lack of success on the field.