28 Dec 2009

Bengals, Packers, Patriots into the NFL play-offs

11:59 am on 28 December 2009

Cincinnati has reached the American National Football League play-offs for only the second time in 19 years.

The Bengals joined the New England Patriots and Green Bay Packers in the play-offs with their 17-10 victory over Kansas City, sealing the AFC North division crown to clinch their place in an emotional game just five days after the funeral of team-mate Chris Henry.

Baltimore and the New York Giants lost to dent their play-off hopes and New Orleans lost a second in a row after a 13-0 start.

The Patriots' 35-7 home rout of Jacksonville capture the AFC East title and gave them a 10-5 record as they return to the play-offs after missing out last season.

Green Bay ripped visiting Seattle 48-10 to secure a National Conference play-off spot, joining New Orleans, Minnesota, Arizona and Philadelphia.

Undefeated Indianapolis, which played the New York Jets later, and San Diego had already clinched division crowns and first-round byes in the American Conference.