By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The 0-6 Bengals have fallen into a pattern by falling behind by 20 or more points five times. The 2002 Titans are not the same team that won 13 games in 1999 and again in 2000.

At 2-4, they're beatable, but the Bengals can't put themselves in a three-touchdown hole again today and expect to win.

Tennessee, like most NFL teams, is much better when playing with a lead. The Titans brought out their successful Super Bowl offensive formula - short, high-percentage passes and a lot of Eddie George on the ground - in their last game. They beat Jacksonville 23-14.

The Titans lead the AFC in time of possession at 31:54. The Bengals are 15th of 16 AFC teams at 27:29. Cincinnati's defense has been on the field too long every week.

Unless the Bengals stop them, the Titans will run George, and Steve McNair will work the short passing game to tight end Frank Wycheck and wide receiver Derrick Mason. The Bengals couldn't stop a similar type of passing game at Cleveland in that loss.

George said this week his injured toe is completely healthy, and seeing stripes is bound to make him feel even better.

He has a career-best 1,075 rushing yards and five 100-yard games in 12 games against the Bengals.

"Cincinnati isn't as bad as people paint them to be," said George, who is 9-3 against the Bengals. "If you look on the film, they have the athletes, they have the talent, and they have the effort. But things haven't been going their way."

Tennessee will try to eat the clock and force the Bengals to play from behind. Quarterback Jon Kitna will be pressured to win the game, and that's when he throws most of his interceptions. All-world running back Corey Dillon won't have the opportunity to get into a rhythm.

"We are committed to the run," Kitna said. "We just have to be in games to stay committed to it."

FLAG ON THE PLAY

The Bengals have drawn some goofy penalties this season.

One might recall the delay-of-game penalty on the first offensive snap of the season after a timeout. And who could forget the two consecutive games in which the special teams had 12 men on the field?

Compared to the misdemeanor Bengals, the Titans are penalty felons.

In six games, Tennessee has had 48 penalties for 379 yards. Against Jacksonville, the Titans cut down to five flags, but two came on touchdowns that were called back.

Such a gift today would significantly enhance the Bengals' chances to pull the upset.

RED-ZONE BLUES

Between the 20s, the Bengals haven't been too bad for a winless team.

But inside the 20-yard line, known as the red zone, they have been just plain bad.

On offense, nine trips inside the 20 have resulted in just four scores and only two touchdowns. The league's lowest-scoring team (8.5) needs to come away with points when it gets that close.

On defense, the Bengals have allowed opponents into the red zone 23 times, and 21 times they've given up points - 15 of them touchdowns.

Tennessee's offense will take advantage. In 19 red-zone possessions, the Titans have scored 14 touchdowns.

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

Return to Bengals front page...