Cincinnati Bengals Cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick Stepping Up On Sunday.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick, a first round draft pick in the 2012 draft, has not live up yet to the expectations that he was going to bring to this defense. He either been injured, or hasn’t live up to the hype that comes being part of a University Alabama prospect.

On Sunday, Kirkpatrick on just two defensive snaps, snag his first career interception, which proved to be one of the big plays in the Bengals 17-10 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

In the third quarter, Quarterback Phillip Rivers delivered a pass to tight end Antonio Gates. It looked like Gates caught the ball, but Kirkpatrick ripped it from Gates as they both went to the ground.

It was a huge play, because at the time the game was tied at 7 and the Bengals offense got the ball back outside of the reasons. A series’ of plays later Andy Dalton found AJ Green  for the go-ahead 21 yard touchdown pass.

Kirkpatrick has not been on the field a lot, he was mainly on special teams. But when he was out there, he made the most of it and delivered a turning point play. Head Coach Marvin Lewis believes in Dre and he said it’s just a matter of time until he will be starting and hopefully living up to the high expectations.

NO FLEX: The NFL announced yesterday that the week 15 game at Pittsburgh, will not be flex and it will remain the Sunday night game.

PLAYOFF SEEDINGS: If the Bengals defeat the Indianapolis Colts this Sunday, they will jump over them for the number 3 seed in the AFC. The #2 seed is still realistic possibility the New England Patriots have to lose a game down the stretch, and the Bengals have to win out. Cincinnati defeated New England 13-6 back on October 6th.