By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals' defense had one of its best games of the season against the run last week at Carolina, but the challenge will be greater today against Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor.

The Bengals limited the Panthers to 82 rushing yards, tying their second-best performance of the season. The game broke a string of four in which the Bengals had surrendered 140 or more yards on the ground.

The Bengals come into today's game ranked 30th against the run at 135.5 yards a game. The inability to stop the run consistently is a big reason the Bengals are 1-12.

In five career games against the Bengals, Taylor has rushed for 457 yards and five touchdowns. He has three 100-yard games against the Bengals and a 4.5-yard average per carry.

Taylor, in spite of his success against the Bengals, respects the defense and doesn't understand the 30th ranking against the run.

"When you watch the film, they're pretty aggressive," Taylor said. "They're a pretty nice defense. I don't know how they average giving up 130 yards per game. I don't know where those numbers come from. They look pretty sound defensively. They've got some good, outstanding players."

Taylor had 145 yards rushing last week against the Browns, including 117 in the second half.

This matchup is a tough one for the Bengals. In addition to their 30th ranking against the run, the Jaguars are eighth in the league in rushing, at 134.7 yards a game.

BALANCING ACT: The Bengals can't be too concerned about just Taylor.

Jacksonville's remaining skill players - quarterback Mark Brunell and wide receiver Jimmy Smith - have a history of success against the Bengals.

Brunell's 20 touchdown passes in 12 career games against the Bengals are a career high. And Smith has 88 receptions for 1,116 yards and seven touchdowns against the Bengals.

Jacksonville's pass offense has been efficient. Brunell has thrown for 14 touchdowns with just six interceptions, and Smith's 67 receptions include five touchdowns.

The Bengals have a deceivingly good ranking against the pass - 14th, at 203.7 yards per game.

But beneath that good number lurks the truth. Teams haven't had to pass on the Bengals because they've been running through them.

The Bengals are 31st in passing average, and they've allowed 25 touchdown passes - which is the combined number of the pass defense's interceptions (nine) and sacks (16).

DON'T BLOW IT: The Bengals are 1-6 since their bye week, but in the six losses, they've either had the lead or been tied well into the second quarter.

The Bengals had a 14-0 lead on Tennessee, were tied at 14 in the second quarter against Baltimore and Cleveland, led Pittsburgh 21-20 in the fourth quarter, led the Ravens 13-0 in the second quarter and led Carolina 24-23 in the third quarter.

The Bengals, in many ways, are in a negative spiral that feeds on itself.

"Aside from going out and winning games, it's hard to get confidence," Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna said. "And that confidence is what makes you win those close games that we've lost."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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