By Joe Kay
The Associated Press

CINCINNATI - The a cappella tune started softly in one corner of the football-shaped locker room, growing louder as more players joined in. Killing time between lunch and practice last week, some of the Cincinnati Bengals decided to sing away their blues.

More than a dozen joined in, slapping hands to thighs to provide the beat.

"This little light of mine," they sang, "I'm going to let it shine!"

Yes, it's the most woeful time of the year for NFL teams without playoff dreams. They'll try anything - even off-key harmony - to get through another practice and another game, looking forward to the day that the season finally ends.

The Bengals (1-12) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (5-8) can't wait to shine their little light at the end of the tunnel.

"I hate losing," Jaguars running back Fred Taylor said. "It's a bad feeling in your gut that you're losing. I'm pretty sure a lot of guys up there in Cincinnati understand that same type of feeling."

Do they ever.

The Bengals have known little except losing since 1991, when they started their run as the NFL's worst team. They entered this season with their annual hopes of a turnaround, and find themselves once again playing in December for nothing more than a tiny shred of dignity.

One more loss would match the franchise record for a season - the Bengals went 3-13 in 1991, 1993, 1994 and 1998. Two more losses would stamp them as the worst team in the history of the league's most woeful franchise.

Is that enough motivation to win? It's hard to say.

"At this point of the season with the record and the way things have gone, it's going to come down to each man's individual motivation for playing the game," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "What is it? And are you willing to go out and perform to the best of your ability, even though things haven't gone the way you want?"

The Jaguars also are approaching uncharted territory for their franchise. One more defeat will give them a third straight losing season, something they've never had before.

"What you have to do is you have to give your team reason to believe that things could be different, and we could be better," coach Tom Coughlin said. "And that's what I keep trying to do."

Both teams are trying to take consolation in a little bit of "what if?"

The Jaguars knew they were in for a tough time this season because of their salary cap problems. At the midpoint, they were 5-5 and thinking postseason. Three close losses have snuffed those hopes.

Jacksonville lost its last three games by a combined five points. The last one was the worst - Tim Couch threw a 50-yard touchdown pass on the final play, giving Cleveland a 21-20 win.

The Bengals have had their share, as well. In each of their last three home games, they had a chance to score the winning touchdown in the final seconds, but bumbled instead.

It's nothing to sing about, but it's better than being blown out like they were last Sunday. They gave up a franchise-record 52 points to Carolina, and coach Dick LeBeau gave them an extra day off to pull themselves together.

"I don't think this team is nearly as far away as the season would indicate it is," LeBeau said. "I think that it's very important that we understand that and try to get a positive start back to where we need to get. Our games have been very competitive."

There are some personal matters at stake Sunday.

Both head coaches have come under intense criticism from fans. A strong finish could soften the calls for coaching changes at season's end.

Kitna needs to keep playing well so he can get in as many plays as possible in the last three games. If he's in for 80 percent of the Bengals' plays this season, he gets a $1.65 million bonus. At the current pace, he'll finish close to the mark.

Otherwise, both teams are just looking forward to getting it over and getting on with things. The one that tries the hardest will probably be the one that wins.

"I think what you'll see here is guys that are excited, guys that want to win out this year and go ahead and get it over with, put it behind us, because the past is the past," Taylor said. "Then hurry up and get through the offseason so we can show what we have next year."

There's always something lyrical about next year.

2002 Bengals schedule

Date	Score	Opponent
Sept. 8	L, 34-6	San Diego
Sept. 15	L, 20-7	@ Cleveland
Sept. 22	L, 30-3	@ Atlanta
Sept. 29	L, 35-7	Tampa Bay
Oct. 6	L, 28-21	@ Indianapolis
Oct. 13	L, 34-7	Pittsburgh
Oct. 20		BYE
Oct. 27	L, 30-24	Tennessee
Nov. 3	W, 38-3	@ Houston
Nov. 10	L, 38-27	@ Baltimore
Nov. 17	L, 27-20	Cleveland
Nov. 24	L, 29-21	@ Pittsburgh
Dec. 1	L, 27-23	Baltimore
Dec. 8	L, 52-31	@ Carolina
Today	--	Jacksonville
Dec. 22	--	New Orleans
Dec. 29	--	@ Buffalo

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