By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

HOUSTON - After watching Jon Kitna throw for 751 yards in the final two games last season, both victories, the Bengals talked about the importance of continuity at quarterback.

So what did they do? They started the 2002 season with newcomer Gus Frerotte under center.

Kitna continued to let his play do his talking Sunday, throwing a career-best four touchdown passes in the Bengals' 38-3 victory over the Houston Texans.

Kitna's two-game numbers are mind-boggling good. Including last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans, Kitna is 39-of-50 passing for 456 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions and a near-perfect 144.25 passer rating.

Since Kitna regained the starting job in Game5 against the Indianapolis Colts, the Bengals have scored 90 points in four games. In the previous four games with Frerotte and Akili Smith starting, the Bengals scored 23 points.

"I feel like we've been clicking for four weeks now," Kitna said.

Kitna's teammates notice the change.

"The difference was Jon Kitna is settled in at quarterback," Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson said.

Wide receiver Chad Johnson has blossomed under Kitna's direction. Johnson had three receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown against Houston, and has 22 catches for 270 yards and a TD in the past four games.

"Man, he's playing good," Johnson said of Kitna. "No mistakes. Would we be 1-7 (if Kitna had started all eight games)? I don't know. Probably not. He knows the offense the best."

Kitna's six touchdown passes without an interception even his season TD-interception ratio at 7.

What if Kitna had played all season? That was a question asked in the post-game locker room several times.

"Well, not really," Bengals coach Dick LeBeau said when asked if he wonders if he had started Kitna from opening day. "I just hope he plays along like that. I will gladly accept the blame for whatever. We make coaching decisions and we live by them."

Kitna was more direct.

"They said after the first two preseason games, they were going to make a decision," Kitna said. "And up to that point, I was completing like 70 percent of my balls and hadn't thrown an interception.

"But that stuff is out of my control. I do (wonder), but it just drives me crazy to think about the past. (LeBeau) had to do what he thought was best for the team."

E-mail: mcurnutte@enquirer.com