Behind the Cincinnati Bengals’ dramatic road win over the Baltimore Ravens – and their takeover of first place in the AFC North — was a story bigger than a football game. While the Bengals continued to play inspired, selfless football, yesterday they were playing for their defensive coordinator, Mike Zimmer, who was standing on the Bengals sideline three days after the death of his wife, Vikki, for reasons unknown. From Paul Daugherty of the Cincinatti Enquirer:

After that, all (Zimmer) really wanted on Sunday was to be with his family. And so he was: His dad, his son, a daughter. . . and 53 players and a bunch of coaches.

It was one hell of an awful way to find inspiration. It was also a heavenly respite from what happened, and what is to come, when the noise dies down, the adrenaline ebbs and the mind has time for pain.

Some other stories of note from around the Web on a Monday morning:

• Joe Biddle of the Tennessean says it may be time to evaluate Vince Young, considering the amount of money the Titans owe him next season and the lack of production from current starter Kerry Collins.

• Speaking of poor quarterback play, Tom Cable says he is concerned with more than just JaMarcus Russell, but Gwen Knapp of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Raiders QB looks disoriented on the field.

• An animated Josh McDaniels admitted that the Broncos’ 20-17 win over the Patriots was particularly special to him, wrote Theresea Smith of The Boston Globe.

• Patrick McManamon of the Akron Beacon Journal is searching for positives in the Browns’ ugly 6-3 win over the Bills.

• Jack Del Rio and the Jaguars had to deal with two more off-the-field incidents before Sunday’s game, a 41-0 loss to the Seahawks.

• Redskins players are publicly backing coach Jim Zorn after their latest loss to the Panthers dropped their record to 2-3.

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