After two games in the 2001 season, the Bengals had six takeaways. This season, they have none.

        Shouldering an offense that has to work excruciatingly hard to move the ball down field, the Bengals' defense would help matters tonight by providing a turnover or two.

        The Bengals need some quick and relatively easy points against the Falcons to reach coach Dick

        LeBeau's new magic number of 23. That would be quite a feat, given that the Bengals have scored all of 13 points in their two games this season.

        Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has thrown no interceptions. But Atlanta has lost four of five fumbles.

        Bengals cornerback Jeff Burris almost had an interception last week at Cleveland. But neither he, other starting corner Artrell Hawkins, nor rookie free safety Lamont Thompson has otherwise come close to picking off a pass.

        LeBeau noted after the Browns game that 10 of their 20 points were the result of Gus Frerotte interceptions.

        JUSTIN TIME: Speaking of overdue, Bengals defensive end Justin Smith said he would be disappointed if he failed to get at least 10 sacks. So far, he, too, has been shut out.

        Smith is a quick, fast defensive end, and Atlanta left tackle Bob Whitfield has a history of struggling against that type of pass rusher.

        Smith and pass-rush specialist Reinard Wilson - who was MIA in the first two games - must get some pressure on Vick.

        Vick has been sacked eight times in two games, for 46 yards in losses.

        The Falcons are familiar with Smith, though. Before trading their fifth overall pick in the 2001 draft to San Diego for the No.1 (they took Vick), they seriously considered grabbing Smith from Missouri.

        EARN TRUST, GUS: In each of his first two starts, Frerotte has thrown killer interceptions that have led directly to two touchdowns.

        He can't do that anymore if the Bengals want to improve to 1-2. The team's offense is too fragile.

        The Bengals' 30 interceptions in the past 18 games - compared to 13 touchdown passes - have killed the pass offense.

        Frerotte came to Cincinnati with a 69-59 touchdown pass-interception differential. That gap has closed to 70-63.

        He has yet to be the caretaker quarterback the Bengals first hoped to find in free agent Trent Dilfer.

Bengals see chance to shed 'Bungles' image Bengals not so bad on big stage Keys to the Game Who's got the Edge? Armour et al: Put a lick on Vick Levi Jones' Rookie Journal Mark Curnutte's NFL picks

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