Bengals declare Browns game a blackout

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Bengals home game this Sunday against the Cleveland Browns has been declared a blackout and will not be shown on local television, the team announced Tuesday.

Sunday's game will make eight blackouts in Cincinnati's last nine contests at Paul Brown Stadium. The only sellout was the Nov. 13 game against Pittsburgh.

Despite a 6-4 record, a second place spot in the AFC North standings and an young, exciting team, the Bengals continue to struggle when it comes to putting fans in Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals had won five games in a row before losing to the Steelers two weeks ago. Cincinnati came up short once again last week at the Ravens, but the team currently holds the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC.

NFL policy states that games must be sold out 72 hours in advance of kickoff to be televised locally. In year's past the team was granted extensions which helped them reach the number of tickets sold to be classified as a sellout. However, similar to the team's first four home contests of 2011, too many tickets remain unsold.

Fans who live in the Bengals' markets of Cincinnati, Dayton and Lexington will have to either go to the game or take other measures.

The Browns, whose fans typically travel to Cincinnati, come into the game with a 4-6 record. Cincinnati came back to beat the Browns in the season opener, 27-17.

Tickets also remain for the Bengals final home games against the Houston Texans (Dec. 11), Arizona Cardinals (Dec. 24) and the regular season finale against the Baltimore Ravens on Jan. 1.