CINCINNATI (AP) - The Bengals are back to the break-even mark as they get ready for a reunion. Carson Palmer is returning to town.

The Bengals (5-5) have gotten back into playoff contention by playing their best games of the season back-to-back. They've beaten the defending Super Bowl-champion Giants 31-13 and the lowly Chiefs 28-6 in the last two weeks, emerging from a four-game losing streak that had put their season on the brink.

Cincinnati trails Pittsburgh (6-4) and Indianapolis (6-4) for the two wild card playoff berths.

They've got a notable reunion coming up on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. Palmer refused to play for the Bengals anymore after a 4-12 finish in 2010. They traded him to the Raiders, who are 3-7 with the NFL's most generous defense.