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In a season of twists and tenacious comebacks, the Cincinnati Reds etched their name back into MLB's October lore on September 28, 2025. Despite a gritty 4-2 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers in their regular-season finale, the Reds clinched the National League's final Wild Card spot, thanks to the New York Mets' heartbreaking collapse against the Miami Marlins. Holding a decisive 4-2 head-to-head edge over the Mets, Cincinnati secured their 17th postseason berth—the first in a full 162-game campaign since 2013 and their first deep run since sweeping the Dodgers in the 1995 NLDS. 

This improbable resurrection from a six-game deficit in early September showcases the Reds' cockroach-like resilience, as outfielder TJ Friedl quipped. New manager Terry Francona's steady hand transformed a young, volatile roster into playoff contenders, blending Elly De La Cruz's electric speed with Hunter Greene's fireballing mound presence. Fans stormed Great American Ball Park in euphoric disbelief, popping champagne amid chants of "Reds October!" Their reward: a high-stakes Wild Card showdown against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, where underdog fire meets Hollywood glamour. Cincinnati's window is wide open—expect fireworks, not just participation trophies.

As the baseball champagne dries, Cincy's gridiron warriors pivot to primetime redemption. Tonight, September 29, the 2-1 Bengals invade Empower Field at Mile High to battle the 1-2 Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Without star QB Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, Jake Browning steps into the spotlight, his turnover-prone start (five picks in six quarters) clashing against Denver's ferocious No. 1-ranked pass rush

The Broncos, desperate after back-to-back road heartbreaks, loom as 7.5-point favorites, fueled by rookie RB J.K. Dobbins' ground-and-pound (74 yards per game) and Courtland Sutton's red-zone menace. Cincinnati's 22nd-ranked defense, vulnerable to the run, faces a high-altitude bully ball at thin air. Yet, Ja'Marr Chase's explosiveness could flip the script in this AFC showdown, where the Bengals boast a 6-0 streak against conference foes. Under 43.5 total points? A trench war looms, but Who Dey Nation dreams of Burrow-less magic. From diamond triumph to gridiron grit, Cincinnati owns the spotlight—pure, unfiltered Queen City passion.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

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