Titans quarterback Steve McNair, playing with a soft tissue injury in his right thumb that prevented him from throwing until Friday, continued his mastery over the Bengals in Sunday's 20-7 victory.

        He threw for 172 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also led all runners with 68 yards rushing on five attempts.

        McNair is now 8-2 against the Bengals. He has thrown for 16 touchdowns and three interceptions in 246 attempts against them.

        He made two big plays in a row in the third quarter. After a tripping penalty on left guard Zach Pillar, the Titans were first-and-20 on the Bengals 47-yard line.

        McNair ran for 19 yards on a quarterback draw to the 28. McNair then lofted a pass to Kevin Dyson in the end zone for a touchdown and a 17-7 lead.

        “He made plays when he had to, and they were key,” said Bengals cornerback Artrell Hawkins, who intercepted McNair.

        Said Bengals coach Dick LeBeau: “I said going into the game that he can hurt you throwing and running and you have to take one of those things away.”

That run-down feeling DAUGHERTY: Playing not to lose, they . . . lose SULLIVAN: Kitna fills QB void, for now Bengals notebook For openers, Bengals give Titans spark McNair has Bengals under his (sore) thumb Neal's inspiration isn't enough Titans 20, Bengals 7 Titans bounce back from demoralizing loss NFL roundup

Beach football wild for RedHawks
RedHawks need a better effort
UC women advance with upset of ND
BCS bowl picture taking shape
Ohio State hits ground running
OSU QB rejoins team but won't start
Pitino's Louisville debut a breeze
Repent will run solo in Jockey Club
NBA roundup
NHL roundup
Coming up this week
Xavier notebook
Xavier wins A-10 volleyball tourney
St. Xavier headed to Dayton

• Return to Bengals front page...