Sunday, September 19, 1999BENGALS-CHARGERS MATCHUP
QUARTERBACKS
Bengals — Jeff Blake, who fended off Captain Comeback in overtime of a 1995 Bengals' victory, is coming off one of his most productive games. Today he plays a defense against which he generated 38 points two years ago. If he hits on 67 percent of his third-down passes like he did last week, he's tough to beat.
Chargers — Jim Harbaugh, otherwise known as Captain Comeback, has been to the playoff six times, engineered 13 fourth-quarter victories and is a marvelous passer on the move. But this is also his first game in a new system under a rookie head coach.
EDGE: Bengals
RUNNING BACKS
Bengals — The Bengals suddenly have some diverse weapons. They continued last week's rally when Corey Dillon got dehydrated and Ki-Jana Carter carried the load. The return of injured rookie fullback Nick Williams, who is light on his feet despite 260 pounds, should boost the running game. Chargers — Natrone Means is one of the best backs in the business, but what happens if something happens to him? They lost the last five games of last season after he broke his foot.
EDGE: Bengals
RECEIVERS
Bengals — Carl Pickens draws his first start, but Willie Jackson should play a lot, especially in three-wide with Jackson in the slot. They have far more speed, experience and hands compared to the Chargers. Tight end Tony McGee caught a TD pass last week, matching last year's output.
Chargers — Wide receivers Jeff Graham and 240-pound Mikheal Ricks aren't speed merchants. Their big threats are at tight end with emerging Pro Bowler Freddie Jones and some linebacker named Junior Seau. The Chargers have the edge at tight end, but the Bengals' talent at wideout cancels it out.
EDGE: Bengals.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bengals — Their first effort together was superb. The Bengals are No. 2 running the ball in the NFL and Blake got sacked just once for no yards. They like their size (318-pound average) vs. the Chargers' 293-pound defensive front.
Chargers — They come to town with a solid, smart unit that played together last season. Woodward High's John Jackson, a 12-year vet, has the experience edge over the Bengals' Rod Jones at left tackle with 48 straight starts. Jones has nine.
EDGE: even
DEFENSIVE LINE:
Bengals — The Titans didn't take many shots running the ball at a Bengal front that had difficulty generating any kind off pass rush. Left end John Copeland could have nailed down last week's game if he didn't let Tennessee quarterback Steve McNair step away from him late in the game.
Chargers — The Chargers would like more pressure from their ends, but their two tackles — 300-pound John Parrella and 313-pound Norman Hand — can't be moved in the middle. How good of a year did Hand have in '98? Try six sacks, two interceptions and eight pass deflections.
EDGE: Chargers
LINEBACKERS
Bengals — Their young crew held up in the opener after some early jitters. Inside backer Takeo Spikes got his first NFL sack and left outside backer Steve Foley recovered a fumble. Foley and Brian Simmons have to make sure the tight ends don't run wild.
Chargers — The Bengal backers, all in their second season, have a chance at having eight Pro Bowl berths among them. But at the moment, they don't. The Chargers' Junior Seau does.
EDGE: Chargers
SECONDARY
Bengals — How much more can a young group take after season-ending injuries to corners Ric Mathias and Charles Fisher and safety Kelvin Moore? Rodney Heath gets his first NFL start on the left corner and rookie safety Cory Hall heads to nickel corner in his second NFL game.
Chargers — Pro Bowl strong safety Rodney Harrison, along with Seau, fuels the defense with his aggressive hits against the run. They've got loads of experience at corner. Left corner Charles Dimry has 19 career interceptions. New nickel corner Darryl Lewis led the AFC with 25 interceptions over the last five years.
EDGE: Chargers
SPECIAL TEAMS
Bengals — Kicker Doug Pelfrey was perfect on two field goal tries in the opener and although Will Brice had a punt blocked, he's leading the league with a 63-yard average. The Bengals had the third worst kick coverage of opening weekend.
Chargers — Kicker John Carney is the second most accurate field goal kicker of all time and punter Darren Bennett has a great leg. But they gave up two punt returns for touchdowns in the exhibition season.
EDGE: Even
COACHING
Bengals — A huge game for Bruce Coslet. He and everyone else in the TriState wants to know if this team is capable of following a good effort with another good effort instead of unleashing a stinkbomb.
Chargers — You can tell Mike Riley is an NFL rookie coach. He was too delightful with the visiting writers on his first conference call. EDGE: Bengals.
THE PICK
At this point, picking the Bengals to win is like landing on the moon. You have to see it to believe it. Chargers 20-17.
Bengals Stories
Bengals must set precedent with home victory
A chance to stop the fall
BENGALS PLAYERS TO WATCH
CHARGERS TO WATCH
BENGALS-CHARGERS MATCHUP
BENGALS INSIDER
By the numbers
REDS 3, PIRATES 0
REDS NOTEBOOK
Harnisch shoulders Reds' load
Cubs' Sosa first to hit 60 HRs twice in a career
How Reds, Astros, Mets finish
Braves stand in Mets' way
Cardinals 13, Astros 6
Mets 11, Phillies 1
Box, runs
It's Bearcats in a shocker
A victory for the ages in Clifton
BEARCATS NOTEBOOK
Buckeyes play half-heartedly to beat Ohio
MU opens MAC play with win
St Thomas More home game thrills
TMC home debut ruined in 3 OTs
Fakes a real concern for New Cath's Simon
Mumme, UK make Hoosiers pay
Howard beats BC 31-27 for its first win of season
Sport just 1 aspect of River Front Classic
NKU discovers gem in Gomez
Area schools high in ejections
Holy Cross girls edge No. 2 Sacred Heart 1-0
St. Ursula upsets No. 1 Fairfield in girls soccer