By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Keep an eye today on Burress against Burris. That's Pittsburgh wide receiver Plaxico Burress against Bengals cornerback Jeff Burris.

Burris, signed as a free agent in the offseason, was supposed to give the Bengals solid corner play opposite Artrell Hawkins.

Though the Bengals are ranked ninth against the pass at 199.8 yards a game, that number is deceiving. Teams have not had to throw often against Cincinnati because they have been ahead most of the time.

When they do throw, opponents have been efficient against the Bengals, especially on third down.

Opponents are completing 63 percent of their passes against the Bengals for a whopping 7.43 yards per attempt. The league average is 6.38.

The Bengals have yielded 11 TD passes but have three interceptions.

The lack of pass rush has hurt the Bengals, just as the consistent pressure by the front seven last season helped the secondary.

Burress is a big receiver at 6 feet 5, 226 pounds. He had a big day Dec. 30 against the Bengals with six receptions for 102 yards and two TDs.

He has 13 catches this season for 164 yards and two touchdowns.

Burris had primary coverage on the Colts' Marvin Harrison last week, and Harrison had nine catches for 145 yards and a touchdown.

Even if Burris isn't getting the help he is supposed to receive from the free safety in cover-two defenses, he should give the Bengals more consistent play than he has shown so far.

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