Quarterback: Cardinals

        The big news this week is Bengals president Mike Brown's declaration that veteran Scott Mitchell will be brought back to compete with Akili Smith next season.

        Jake Plummer has 10 TD passes and 15 interceptions, but he has completed several long passes, including 70-, 56- and 53-yard TD strikes. He's gone over 200 six times and over 300 once.

        Running backs: Bengals

        Every at-bat mattered to Pete Rose. Every carry has a purpose for Corey Dillon. Even if he's tackled for little or no gain, he delivers a shot of his own that defenders remember.

        The Cardinals are 26th in rushing (84.3 a game) and one reason is their top rusher, Michael Pittman, is a better receiver with 61 receptions.

        Wide receivers/tight ends: Cardinals

        Numbers don't lie. Peter Warrick's 40 receptions lead a WR/TE corps that has only 111 and four TDs. Arizona's wide outs and tights ends have 149 and nine TD receptions.

        David Boston has 54 receptions for a 15.6 per catch average and five touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, 211 pounds, he is the size of receiver who has given the Bengals' secondary fits.

        Offensive line: Bengals

        The running plays work, and the line executes them. Even with injuries to starters Matt O'Dwyer and John Jackson, the Bengals are No.2 in the NFL in rushing at 146.2 yards a game.

        Arizona's line has allowed only 18 sacks, compared to 41 for the Bengals. One of the reasons is Plummer's decisiveness, which Smith doesn't yet have.

        Special teams: Cardinals

        Punt returners Craig Yeast and Peter Warrick fumbled three of four balls last week and are averaging only 6.6 yards a return. A fumble was lost, but rookie Mark Roman pounced on the other two.

        Thanks to MarTay Jenkins' NFL best kick off return average of 27.4 yards, the Cardinals are third in the league with an average drive start of the 30.5-yard line.

        Defensive line: Even

        Defensive ends have only two sacks. Even though tackle Oliver Gibson has four, the line has only 6-of-20 team sacks and has not consistently pressured quarterbacks.

        The Cardinals' front four gets to the QB a little more and will need to get to Mitchell, but it's is part of a defense that gives up 148.8 yards a game, tied for 28th in the league.

        Linebackers: Bengals

        his unit leads the team in sacks and has three of its seven interceptions. Steve Foley has three sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception and fumble recovery.

        MLB Ronald McKinnon is the best of the lot with three sacks and forced fumble and a recovery. Overall, Arizona is 29th in total defense at 361 yards a game.

        Defensive backs: Cardinals

        They made Kordell Stewart look great last week. New corners Rodney Heath and Robert Bean are an improvement, but unit still has only four interceptions.

        They're in the middle of the NFL pack at 212.9 yards allowed a game. Corner Aeneas Williams covers. Strong safety Pat Tillman is a big hitter.

        Coaching: Bengals

        In nine games, Dick LeBeau's Bengals have come out flat only twice. Last week was the low point. He'll have them sharp this week.

        Dave McGinnis wears his heart, spleen, liver and kidneys on his sleeve. He's emotional where LeBeau is steady.

        The winner: Bengals

        The Cardinals allow 28.5 points a game. Dillon will be around 200 yards on the ground. Sloppy field favors Bengals. The key is not turning the ball over.

        The score: Bengals 23, Cardinals 20

LeBeau's job rides on today's game Saints' offer still haunts Bengals Last chance for a W Who's got the edge? Bengals-Cardinals by the numbers Players to watch NFL Insider

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