GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Linebacker Takeo Spikes, the emotional leader of the defense, didn't practice Thursday and Friday because of a sore hip flexor, but he will play tonight in the Paul Brown Stadium opener against the Bears.

        “We have a chance to go in there and prove ourselves worthy to our fans,” he said. “This is a stepping stone right here. People say it don't count, but it counts to us.”

        Spikes played in the two preseason losses. The team has played well in spurts, he said, “but you're never totally satisfied until you win. I would rather go out and personally make two games worth of mistakes and win rather than go out and play well.

        “Because if you can find a way to win the game, you can come back and correct the mistakes next week.”

        BEARS DOWN: Though the Bears improved last season by two victories compared with 1998 and 1997, they still have done no better than the Bengals during the past three years.

        Both teams are 14-34 since '97.

        The Bears, under first-year coach Dick Jauron, were 6-10 last season, but they were 4-12 in each of the previous two seasons under Dave Wannstedt.

        Cincinnati's best season of the past three was 1997 when it went 7-9. The Bengals suffered through their fourth 3-13 season of the 1990s in 1998 before picking up one more victory for a 4-12 record in 1999.

        BENGAL BOSSES: Jauron was a safety with the Bengals from 1978-81. Bengals coach Bruce Coslet and former Bengals coach Sam Wyche are the other two former Bengals who have been NFL head coaches.

        INJURY REPORT: Rookie running back Curtis Keaton is doubtful for tonight's game because of a shoulder injury. These players also will not play: Michael Bankston (knee, calf), Michael Basnight (wrist), Rich Braham (knee), JoJuan Armout (groin), Tom Barndt (chest), Alan Buckwalter (hamstring) and Sirr Parker (hamstring).

        Rodney Heath (shoulder) is probable.

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