Quarterbacks:

        Buccaneers. Brad Johnson was ahead of Jon Kitna on the Bengals' free-agent shopping list, but he went to Tampa, where he has thrown as many TD passes as Kitna (nine), but five fewer interceptions (seven).

        Bengals. In the last 10 quarters, Jon Kitna has thrown one touchdown pass and five interceptions and directed the offense to two TDs. Today, he faces what he said is the league's best defense.

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        Running backs:

        Buccaneers. As ineffective as the Bengals rushing offense has been the last three games, the Bucs' has been only slightly better, 215-197 yards.

        Bengals. The Bengals have to stay close enough on the scoreboard to be able to run the ball well into the second half to have a chance today.

        Edge: Even.

        Wide receivers/tight ends:

        Buccaneers. Keyshawn Johnson is one of the best in the game with 76 catches and 891 yards, but no TD catches. Tight end Dave Moore has three touchdown receptions.

        Bengals. Keyshawn's younger cousin, Chad Johnson, is back and could be the healthiest receiver because Peter Warrick and Darnay Scott are not 100 percent.

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        Offensive line:

        Buccaneers. Johnson has been sacked 34 times, 16 more than Bengals quarterbacks. Tampa is 29th in rushing. The Bengals liked rookie Kenyatta Walker, who has started every game at left tackle.

        Bengals. The injury to left guard Matt O'Dwyer has limited the push the Bengals are getting in the middle of the line. Corey Dillon has had to make moves to just get back to the line.

        Edge: Bengals

        Special teams:

        Buccaneers. Kicker Martin Gramatica is 15-of-19 on field goals. The Bucs are fourth-best on kickoff coverage, compared to the Bengals, who are last.

        Bengals. Neil Rackers is 9-of-18 on field goals, and his two misses in the gusting wind at Cleveland left the Bengals scoreless at the end of their two longest drive.

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        Defensive line:

        Buccaneers. Tampa Bay's linemen have 17 sacks, the Bengals' 11. The Bucs are a few yards a game better against the rush, but tackle Warren Sapp has proven he can take over a game.

        Bengals. The strength of the line are tackles Tony Williams and Oliver Gibson. When they are on the field together, the Bengals are much better against the run because of their penetration.

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        Linebackers:

        Buccaneers. The best athletes on the field are linebackers. Four-time Pro Bowler Derrick Brooks and Jamie Duncan are the Bucs' 1-2 punch and have the ability to play the run and the pass.

        Bengals. The mirror image for the Bengals is Takeo Spikes and Brian Simmons, fourth-year starters who led the team in tackles and sacks.

        Edge: Even.

        Defensive backs:

        Buccaneers. It's the All-Stars against the no-namers. Corner Donnie Abraham and safety John Lynch were Pro Bowlers. Ronde Barber has six of the team's 18 interceptions.

        Bengals. The secondary has played over its head all season, and today might be the day reality sets in against Keyshawn Johnson (76 catches).

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        Coaching:

        Buccaneers. Tony Dungy has a great reputation, but his 2001 team has underachieved at 5-5. He might have put his team in a position Monday night to make a playoff run, and they have two winnable games in a row against the Bengals and Lions.

        Bengals. The heat is on coordinator Bob Bratkowski and the offensive staff to come up with a plan and plays that will get the Bengals out of their slump of seven consecutive scoreless quarters. The current 0-3 skid has dropped them from playoff contention.

        Edge: Buccaneers.

        CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Tampa Bay 20, Cincinnati 9
       

Losing run rolling again? Bucs have makings of another late-season run Keys to the game The Edge By the numbers Isolation Booth Nov. 15, 1981 - Bengals 24, L.A. Rams 10 NFL notebook Curnutte's NFL power ratings Week 12 NFL picks

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