Paul Dehner Jr.

Cincinnati

Hard to believe three weeks ago the conversation piece revolved around the numbers of this defense pacing out to rank among the worst in franchise history. Through nine games, the Bengals couldn't stop the run in a phone booth. Every week brought a new team breaking out for more than 150 yards on the ground.

There were reasons for the failure, most notably, the decimation of the linebackers and missing Brandon Thompson in the defensive line rotation. With the team's defensive pieces back in place, the Bengals' defense the last three games not only looks like that of the first three games of the season but also the last three years. An argument could be made that over that span they have been the best in football.

Who enjoys fun with small sample sizes?! Anybody? You with me?

No, this won't reflect the longevity of the season, but if you look around the league, what the Bengals' defense has been producing stacks up ahead of most everyone entering the stretch run.

Start with this:

The last three games, Cincinnati allowed 214 yards on the ground for an average of 71.3 yards per game . Consider that against the previous five games - they gave up an average of 157.8 yards per game on the ground.

Here's the rest of the league over the last three games in yards allowed per carry. Only 10 teams are even allowing less than four yards per carry.

Detroit: 2.76 Carolina: 2.91 Cincinnati: 3.06 Houston: 3.26 Washington: 3.38 New England: 3.43

These games stopping the run haven't come against the dregs of the NFL offenses, either. Sure, the Texans were without Arian Foster, but keep in mind Alfred Blue went off the previous week against Cleveland.

Opponent: NFL rank in yards per carry/rank rushing yards per game

New Orleans: 4/8

Houston: 16/4

Tampa Bay: 26/29

Not exactly all bottom-feeders. What do you think, ladies?

But the dominance doesn't end there. The Bengals' defense only allowed two touchdowns over the three-game span and a total of 30 points. Ten teams scored 30 points this past weekend alone.

No team over the last three weeks has allowed less than three defensive touchdowns except for the Bengals.

The interception for touchdown by Johnathan Joseph in Houston pushes the Bengals out of a tie for first place with Seattle for fewest points allowed over the span.

Seattle: 30

St. Louis: 34

Buffalo: 35

Cincinnati: 36

San Francisco: 42

Tampa Bay: 42

This three-game surge also pulled the Bengals out of the bottom of the NFL rankings in overall defense. In fact, their numbers are returning to the upper quarter of the league they are accustomed to, at least in terms of efficiency.

Bengals Rankings

Yards/Play: 8th

Yards/Rush: 18th

Yards/Pass: 5th

3rd down %: 7th

Red Zone %: 7th

Not bad at all. I think Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen can embody the proper reaction for small-sample size success.

ON TAP TODAY

The Bengals are off, but you can come down to watch our live talk show, meet and get an autograph from George Iloka on Beyond The Stripes. We'll be firing off another episode of the show at 7 p.m. at Moerlein Lager House. Drinking beer is fun. Talking football is fun. Eating food is fun. Shenanigans are fun. I don't see how this would be a bad idea for you.

TWITTER QUESTION OF THE DAY

Thanks for the question, Micah.

Herron carried 20 times for 153 yards the past two weeks in the battered Indianapolis backfield. Any team would surely take 7.7 yards per carry. That said, I always find it odd so many people love talking about picking up running backs when this team appears to have an overabundance.

Rex Burkhead has shown well in the few opportunities he's had. Cedric Peerman leads the team in special teams tackles by a wide margin. Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard shouldn't be mentioned in the same breath as Herron. A couple of quality games in Indy doesn't mean there should be regrets. You never know what will happen, but Burkhead outplayed Herron in their preseason battle last year, and considering the quality up and down the position, I don't think anyone is looking back from that.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Skinny on how the Bengals set themselves up for another run at December football with every spot at their fingertips.

My performancereview now posted on the Bengals' win in Tampa. Judging the coaching category from that game was about as hard as any all year.

Coaches were as vocal criticizing Andy Dalton's play from the first half as in any I can remember, but also offered high praise in how well he rebounded after halftime.

AROUND THE DIVISION

Steelers (7-5):Pittsburgh feels like a team with its back against the wall coming off a demoralizing loss and headed on the road. Sound familiar?

Browns (7-5):Hoyer or Manziel? That is the question, from an old friend of the program.

Ravens (7-5): The blame game is in full swing for Baltimore's awful secondary.

BENGALS TWEET OF THE DAY, PART 1

Kevin Huber has been hysterical in how he's laughed at himself and his situation regarding the broken jaw he suffered against the Steelers last year. He offered this yesterday.

BENGALS TWEET OF THE DAY, PART 2

This one not from a player specifically, but these candids from one of the cooler programs the team does every year. And Domata Peko even took time to participate on his 30th birthday.

RANDOMNESS

Just when you thought the Patriots were the front-runners in the AFC: Bieber'd.

This guy has49 (!) license suspensions and just got popped again for speeding and not wearing a seat belt. Think anybody ever takes him up for a ride back from the airport? How far down the list do you have to go until you dial him up in defeat?

I only allow myself to watch National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation in December every year or else I'd probably OD on it by June. Here are 27 facts you might not have known about it. Please let me meet the real man Eddie is based on.

Wait, Kanye andKim Kardashian are having marital woes? This can't be true. I've always had this one tabbed to go the distance.

AND FINALLY

Pittsburgh music week on the blog does not equal the strongest of candidates. How weak? Well, let's kick off the week with a Perry Como Christmas song and go from there.