By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A breakdown of how the Bengals and Broncos compare position by position.

QUARTERBACKS

Former Arizona starter Jake Plummer is in his first season in Mike Shanahan's complicated offense. Jon Kitna is working with coordinator Bob Bratkowski for the sixth season (three in Seattle). Both quarterbacks have to limit mistakes.

Edge: Bengals

RUNNING BACKS

Denver second-year tailback Clinton Portis is the top young tailback in the league. The Bengals' Corey Dillon is going for a seventh consecutive year of 1,000 yards. The back who gets the most help from the pass game could have a big day.

Edge: Bengals

WIDE RECEIVERS

The Bengals have just two receivers today with NFL experience, Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick. Denver's Rod Smith has six 70-catch seasons in a row. Ed McCaffrey is back in form with 170 receptions in his past two full seasons.

Edge: Broncos

TIGHT ENDS

Every season starts with talk of how the Bengals will use their tight ends more in the pass game. They are improved here with the additions of Reggie Kelly and Tony Stewart. But still-going-strong Shannon Sharpe is the best ever to play the position.

Edge: Broncos

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Broncos were the first NFL team to get smaller, faster and more athletic after the line had evolved into a fat-boys position. They'll drop defenders, and the back finds the hole. Reshuffling appears to have strengthened the Bengals' line.

Edge: Broncos

DEFENSIVE LINE

Clearly the front four is the most improved Bengals position group. Tackle John Thornton is the potential star, but Duane Clemons can make all the plays. The probable injury loss of tackle Daryl Gardener hurts Denver's depth.

Edge: Bengals

LINEBACKERS

All three spots have new starters for the Bengals. Kevin Hardy has never played the middle. Middle linebacker Al Wilson is the core of Denver's defense, and if he doesn't play well, it will have trouble stopping Corey Dillon.

Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Deltha O'Neal is developing into a top corner. Strong safety Kenoy Kennedy can hit. The Bengals secondary is in a state of flux; undersized safeties had better tackle well against the run. The pressure is on Bengals corner Tory James.

Edge: Broncos

SPECIAL TEAMS

The Bengals' special teams didn't show improvement in preseason. Kicker Shayne Graham is new. Holder Nick Harris dropped four preseason snaps. Denver kicker Jason Elam is automatic, and O'Neal has a 10.6-yard punt return average.

Edge: Broncos

COACHING

Marvin Lewis has the makings of a big-time NFL head coach. He has made great strides in turning around a struggling franchise. Shanahan has been there and done that, and his 88 victories since the start of '95 are the most of any NFL coach.

Edge: Broncos

• CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Broncos 23, Bengals 17

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