By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

16 game photos

The recent history of the Bengals is exactly that, history, coach Marvin Lewis said after his first game as their coach.

But Lewis lived through a bit of the Bengals' past Sunday afternoon and, when searching for something positive to take from a 30-10 loss to Denver, even uttered a phrase similar to those often used by his predecessors.

"The thing our guys did today is they hung together as a team," said Lewis, sounding a lot like one of his coaching mentors, Dick LeBeau, circa 2002.

On Sunday, the Bengals scored their only touchdown and gained 167 of their 294 offensive yards in the fourth quarter, after the Broncos had built a 27-3 lead.

The Bengals gave up 184 yards on the ground - 120 to tailback Clinton Portis - lost four turnovers, gained just 51 rushing yards and transformed a disappointed sell-out crowd of 63,820 into a boo-bird chorus early in the third quarter.

"I'm disappointed for our fans," Lewis said. "I appreciate their support. We're not going to disappoint them every Sunday like this. Hang with us, we'll be back."

Eight months of preparation and 24 new players produced a game that was eerily similar to the 34-6 opening-day loss a year ago to San Diego. About the only differences were the Bengals' improved physical condition and the new black uniform pants that gave the team a menacing look it didn't live up to.

The Bengals fell behind 20-3 at halftime Sunday. The score at the half a year ago was 20-0, Chargers.

Against the Broncos, the Bengals failed to score a touchdown in their only red-zone possession, a problem throughout 2002.

Starting quarterback Jon Kitna threw two interceptions and lost one fumble, and Denver's front four overwhelmed the Bengals' offensive line. One of Kitna's interceptions, a shovel pass intended for Corey Dillon from the Bengals 10-yard line, was returned 12 yards for a touchdown by Denver linebacker Ian Gold. That play was the single most significant of the afternoon.

"We'll have to send Kitna some flowers because that was a gift," Broncos linebacker John Mobley said of Gold's catch and run, which gave Denver a 27-3 lead.

Said Lewis: "The thing that was most disappointing about Jon's thing was trying to make a bad play worse."

Asked if he considered pulling Kitna for backup Shane Matthews, Lewis said, "No, I didn't."

Broncos defensive end Trevor Pryce, who had three tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, was in the Bengals' backfield almost as much as Dillon. Pryce forced Kitna's ill-fated shovel-pass after he blew past right guard Matt O'Dwyer.

Dillon, who set the NFL single-game rushing record with 278 yards the last time the Bengals played the Broncos, was held to 34 yards on 14 attempts.

"They were in over their heads," said Mobley, one of three Denver starters remaining from Dillon's record-setting Oct. 22, 2000 game.

Dillon had 9 yards on the Bengals' opening possession but was stopped on a third-and-1 play, forcing a punt. Denver took the lead on its ensuing possession on a 51-yard Jason Elam field goal.

Portis scored the next two touchdowns, on 2- and 8-yard runs on consecutive drives in the second quarter. Denver opened the game with a reverse to wide receiver Ashley Lelie and gained 35 yards on five misdirection runs.

"I think what they saw in the preseason was guys on the backside pursuing so much," Bengals defensive tackle John Thornton said.

The Bengals defense was stronger in the second half, limiting Denver to 93 total yards and getting two of its three interceptions off quarterback Jake Plummer.

"It was too late," Bengals linebacker Adrian Ross said.

Too late also speaks for the Bengals offense. After falling behind 30-3 on Elam's third field goal in the fourth quarter, the Bengals went 75 yards on four plays. Kitna had completions of 41 yards to tight end Matt Schobel and wide receiver Chad Johnson. Johnson's 41-yarder was good for the touchdown. He stretched out, caught the ball at the 4 and rolled across the goal line.

"That's all good," said Johnson, who had 95 receiving yards on six catches, "but I need that win."

Next on the horizon is a game at defending AFC champion Oakland.

"(Denver and Oakland) are loaded offensively," Kitna said. "And you are going to have to be able to put up points on your side."

Lewis also looked ahead and said the play of both lines would have to improve: "We got attacked up front."

Rebuilding work will continue.

"We're here for the long haul," Lewis said. "It's not a sprint. This is more like a marathon. I said the other day we were going to have to sink low. We are low today."

By the numbers

1-5 - Bengals' record in last six season openers

35 - Rushing yards for Denver receivers (on five reverses)

34 - Corey Dillon rushing yards (on 14 carries)

120 - Rushing yards for Denver's Clinton Portis, 90 in the first half (also 39 receiving )

4, 13, 8 - Times Jon Kitna was sacked, hurried and knocked down, respectively

4 - Bengals turnovers

21.7 - Denver QB Jake Plummer's passer rating

63.3 - Kitna's passer rating

3-6 - Bengals' record in debut games by head coaches

Talk Bengals

Chat online about the Bengals with Enquirer beat writer Mark Curnutte at noon today at Cincinnati.Com.

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