As expected after Sunday's 34-6 debacle against the San Diego Chargers, the Bengals found themselves Monday at or near the bottom of every major offensive and defensive statistical category in the NFL.

        With Pittsburgh and New England yet to play Monday night, the Bengals were 30th — or last — in rushing yards allowed and points scored. They were 25th in total yards allowed.

        The Bengals were also 28th in total yards gained and 29th in rushing yards. Only the Rams rushed for fewer yards (32) than the Bengals (36).

        As for the quarterbacks, the Chargers' Drew Brees has the league's highest passer rating (136.8). The Bengals' Gus Frerotte had a rating of 63.6, lowest in the AFC and fourth worst in the league.

        DON'T BREAK THE PLANE: Sunday's loss to San Diego was the ninth time in the last 33 games that the Bengals didn't score a touchdown.

        SPIKES UPDATE: Bengals linebacker Takeo Spikes had a team-high 18 tackles Sunday, coaches determined after reviewing the game film. He had 10 in the press box statistics.

        Spikes is playing with an injured pectoral muscle that forced him to miss three preseason games.

        “He's just going to have to get stronger,” Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said of Spikes. “It's a rehabbing injury, and I think it will get stronger every week.

        “Football is a game where the first day you report to training camp is the only day you're really 100 percent. It's a collision sport, although we didn't collide very much yesterday.”

        LOOKING AHEAD: Bengals halfback Corey Dillon was held to 10 yards rushing Sunday.

        He has fared much better in six career games against Cleveland, the Bengals' next opponent. Dillon has a 123.5-yard average against the Browns.

        In the Bengals' four victories over Cleveland, Dillon has a 159-yard rushing average and five rushing touchdowns. In the two losses, he has been held to a 52-yard average and not scored.

        INJURY REPORT: Running back Brandon Bennett (ankle) and linebacker Canute Curtis (knee) were downgraded to questionable for the Cleveland game.

        Four other Bengals are probable: quarterback Gus Frerotte (right thumb), safety JoJuan Armour (ankle), guard Victor Leyva (ankle) and defensive end Vaughn Booker (knee).

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