By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Coming off a crushing opening-day loss at Paul Brown Stadium to Denver, the Bengals could not be facing a more difficult Week 2 challenge than playing at Oakland.

The Raiders lost a five-point decision at Tennessee last Sunday night and can't afford to fall farther behind Denver and Kansas City in the tough AFC West.

The Raiders also enjoy one of the NFL's most colorful and rowdy home-field advantages at Network Associates Coliseum.

QUARTERBACK

The Bengals' Jon Kitna committed three turnovers against the Broncos and is fighting to keep his starting job. He needs an error-free game for the Bengals to have a chance. Oakland's Rich Gannon is the reigning league MVP who operates the Raiders' potent passing game with a surgeon's precision.
Edge: Raiders

RUNNING BACKS

Corey Dillon and the offensive line need to rebound from their poor showings last week. The Bengals need to control the clock by getting first downs. Oakland's Charlie Garner is the perfect back for this offense, and short swing passes double as the running game. He had 112 receiving yards in Game 1.
Edge: Raiders

RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS

The Bengals had to limit their pass package last week because half of their receiving corps was rookies. Where was tight end Reggie Kelly? Bengals can't afford to wait until fourth quarter to get hot. Oakland is missing a key piece in third receiver Jerry Porter. Still, where there's Rice and Brown, there's trouble.
Edge: Raiders

OFFENSIVE LINE

After just one game, the Bengals have reshuffled their shuffled line. Rich Braham starts at center with Mike Goff moving to right guard. The Raiders' line was responsible for many of the team's 17 penalties (173 yards) against Tennessee. Left tackle Barry Sims had a bad game. Three false starts on first series.
Edge: Raiders

DEFENSIVE LINE

The Bengals were gashed for 184 yards last week but won't face such a power running game today. Still, the Bengals' quick defensive linemen better be ready to chase down tailback Charlie Garner on swings and screens. Oakland yielded just 76 yards on the ground at Tennessee thanks to deep line.
Edge: Raiders

LINEBACKERS

The Bengals will need a healthy Brian Simmons today at weak outside linebacker. Strength of Bengals LBs is intelligence. Oakland's Bill Romanowski is a one-man wrecking crew who plays with fiery abandon at age 37. Napoleon Harris is solid in the middle. Eric Barton is leading tackler.
Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The loss of free safety Rod Woodson to knee surgery throws off the timing and the communication of the whole secondary. There's a lot of individual talent, though. The Bengals' pass defense was a highlight of the opener, with Tory James and Mark Roman turning in good efforts. A big test awaits today.
Edge: Raiders

SPECIAL TEAMS

Bengals return and coverage teams should improve after two weeks together. Still, Oakland kicker Sebastian Janikowski and punter Shane Lechler have stronger legs than their Bengals' counterparts, and Phillip Buchanon is a dangerous punt returner. Bengals can make no mistakes.
Edge: Raiders

COACHING

Bill Callahan took the Raiders to the Super Bowl in his first year on the job. He has a veteran team that senses the urgency of a possible last go-round. Marvin Lewis is trying to take his first steps toward rebuilding a franchise that was in shambles. He seems to now realize the size of the job and talks of the "long haul."
Edge: Raiders

CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION

Raiders 34, Bengals 17

By the Numbers

55-138: Bengals record since last playing in a playoff game, against the L.A. Raiders on Jan. 13, 1991.

103-90: Raiders regular season record since Jan. 13, 1991.

2,033: Air miles to Oakland from Cincinnati, Bengals' longest road trip of season.

7,554: Corey Dillon's rushing yards since entering NFL in 1997, third most behind Curtis Martin and Eddie George.

50: Consecutive starts (today) for Dillon and right tackle Willie Anderson.

107, 44: Rich Gannon's touchdown passes, interceptions since joining Raiders in 1999.

3: Bengals interceptions in Week 1, a third of the nine they had in 2002.

The series

• Today will be the 24th meeting.

• The Raiders lead 16-7 in the regular season, and with two postseason victories, have more wins against the Bengals than any team beside a division rival.

• The Bengals have lost all eight games at Oakland (they won once when the Raiders were in Los Angeles) and are 1-12 against the Raiders on the road.

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