The Bengals suffered the worst defeat in franchise history, 37-0, last Sept.24 at Baltimore.

        They played a little better in the 27-7 loss Nov.5 to the Ravens in Cincinnati and are planning for Sunday's game to bring them all the way back to competitiveness.

        Playing well against the defending Super Bowl champions starts with the Bengals' attitude and running game.

        “We went into Baltimore last season and were embarrassed,” said Willie Anderson, the right tackle and offensive captain. “Our mindset wasn't correct.”

        The Bengals had 94 yards of offense and seven first downs. Some Bengals players said the Ravens ran up the score. Bruce Coslet, who would resign the next day as coach, refused to shake the hand of Ravens coach Brian Billick after the game.

        Enter Dick LeBeau, named to succeed Coslet on the following chaotic morning. No longer would the Bengals let the opponent dictate everything they did offensively. The Bengals no longer would abandon their strength, the running game, just because the other defense was good against the run.

        “The game plan is to go out and attack those guys and not just let them attack us,” Anderson said.

        The Bengals, who were second in the NFL in rushing yards in 2000, had 4 yards in the first game against the Ravens and 44 in the rematch.

        Corey Dillon was held to 9 and 23 yards in the two games, his worst performances in his second consecutive Pro Bowl season.

        “Our main thing on offense is getting Corey the ball 25-30 times and running for over 100 yards,” Anderson said.

        But the Ravens, counting their 17-6 season-opening victory against Chicago, have not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 34 consecutive regular-season games. The Bears had only 56 yards on the ground.

        But the Bengals have Dillon, who gained 104 of the team's 157 rushing yards in the 23-17 victory against New England.

        “I haven't seen anybody who's run on them,” LeBeau said of the Ravens. “We're going to run our offense. I said they're very, very good. I didn't say they were unbeatable.”

Q&A with Mark Curnutte NFL moves Week 2 schedule to end Bengals' challenge: Running on Ravens

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