Sunday, October 03, 1999WHO HAS THE EDGE?
How Bengals, Rams match up
QUARTERBACK
Bengals: Blake has moved them all over field, but just 10 points last two weeks. Key stats: 5.57 yards per attempt and 54 percent passing.Rams: Warner has led four TD drives between 71-80 yards. Big stats: 8.46 yar ds per attempt and 65 percent passsing.
EDGE: Rams
RUNNING BACKS
Bengals: Dillon having good year, but could be even better without cramps. There better be none today because he's just one of two healthy backs.Rams: Where is Faulk going to be? In motion? In the slot? At tailback? Yes, Bengals could have had him instead of Wilkinson.
EDGE: Rams.
RECEIVERS
Bengals: Pickens' longest catch is 19 yards and Scott dropped his only TD. They need help getting open, like more middle routes.Rams: Bruce back to 95-96 form. Holt can fly and may get his hands on Rookie of Year. Hakim is nifty in open field. Proehl can find seams.
EDGE: Rams.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: Tough to find fault with unit getting 4.3 yards per rush and has allowed just seven sacks. But they blow up no one in red zone.Rams: Pace and Timmerman are as good as it gets for guys not in Pro Bowl. They've protected Warner and Faulk gets 4.4 yards per carry.
EDGE: Even
DEFENSIVE LINE
Bengals: Better than last year, but where's the pass rush? They have just 2.5 sacks in three games, but Gibson has been solid in middle.Rams: They're undersized, averaging 281 pounds. But they're quick and already have 4.5 sacks in two games with bookends Carter and Wistrom accounting for four.
EDGE: Rams.
LINEBACKERS:
Bengals: Foley, failing to contain last week's first long run, is struggling. But Simmons, Spikes, Ross are real deal.Rams: Undersized, unspectacular group of role players. Fletcher in middle is classic Vermeil favorite as Div. III overachiever.
EDGE: Bengals
SECONDARY:
Bengals: Young corners have held up, but need better play from veteran safeties this week vs. the circus act they get with Faulk and four solid receivers.Rams: Lyght is having terrific season with two picks and two sacks in two games. Bengal DBs have .5 sack and one pick in three games.
EDGE: Rams
THE WINNER
Rams 32, Bengals 14
Bengals Stories
WIN OR ELSE
Harnisch carries hopes on final day
Brewers 10, Reds 6
Box, runs
Mets 7, Pirates 0
Astros 3, Dodgers 0
Dodgers doing Reds no favors
Ticket info for Monday playoff
SPORTS ON TV-RADIO
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Wisconsin 42, Ohio State 17
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Marshall 32, Miami 14
Alexander struts Heisman stuff
Kentucky 31, Arkansas 20
Receiving corps seemingly endless
Wilmington 45, Mount St. Joseph 8
Alma 35, Thomas More 7
Kalamazoo 5, Cyclones 4
Mighty Ducks 4, Kentucky 1
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Sympathy touches Ross football coach
Chaminade Julienne 42, McNicholas 18
Highlands 45, CovCath 7
Oak Hills 43, Zanesville 40
Zanesville Rosecrans 38, Lockland 7
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N.KY. HIGH SCHOOL RESULTS
WHO HAS THE EDGE?