By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bengals look to play a fourth consecutive solid game today at Buffalo. More important, they're trying to win a second consecutive road game for the first time since - drum roll, please - 1995.

Coach Dave Shula's team won three road games in a row through October and November.

Including Marvin Lewis' 1-1 road record this season, the Bengals are 12-46 on the road since the start of the 1996 season.

Only once in that time have the Bengals had a winning road record, and that came when they won the 1998 road opener at Detroit. Coach Bruce Coslet's team then rattled off six road losses in a row.

A victory today would send the Bengals into their bye week 2-3 with a 2-1 mark away from home.

QUARTERBACK

Jon Kitna justified Lewis' faith in him last week with a three-touchdown-no-interception performance. He's hot with four touchdowns and no interceptions in the last seven quarters.

Drew Bledsoe's stats are a bit below Kitna's, and the Bills have struggled by scoring just 13 total points in their past two games. Still, Bledsoe's history suggests he could break out at any time.

Edge: Bills

RUNNING BACKS

Even if Buffalo Pro Bowl tailback Travis Henry can play, he's going to be much less than 100 percent. If not Henry, it's third-stringer Joe Burns. No wonder the Bills are 31st in rushing at 53 yards.

It's an understudy game for the Bengals, too. Rudi Johnson will make his first start in place of Corey Dillon (groin strain). Johnson fits the Bengals' physical run style.

Edge: Even

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

Chad Johnson and Peter Warrick continue to develop as one of the NFL's top receiving tandems with 43 receptions and five touchdowns. Another plus has been the play of the three-headed tight end group of Reggie Kelly, Tony Stewart and Matt Schobel (20 catches).

Eric Moulds is Bledsoe's favorite target. But Josh Reed, who inherited the No. 2 spot from Peerless Price, has been a disappointment.

Edge: Bengals

OFFENSIVE LINE

The word around Buffalo is the interior of the offensive line is soft and has been pushed around, resulting in a 31st-ranked rush offense. The Bengals offensive line played its second complete game last week. No sacks, and 51 rushing yards for third-stringer Rudi Johnson. Whispers at Bengals camp is Mike Goff will get more time at right guard after Matt O'Dwyer's fourth-quarter holding penalty.

Edge: Bengals

DEFENSIVE LINE

Neither line has been very good at stopping the run this season. Bills end Aaron Schobel gets consistent pressure on quarterbacks. Tackle Sam Adams was brought in to stop the run.

Playing with a lead, the Bengals got two sacks and a lot of pressure on Cleveland's Tim Couch last week. Tackle Tony Williams is having a big season.

Edge: Bills

LINEBACKERS

Lewis gave Takeo Spikes' old No. 51 to Kevin Hardy and lavished praise on his new linebacker. Spikes, now surrounded by more talent, is making big plays, with two interceptions and a sack.

Hardy, Brian Simmons and Adrian Ross have been solid in Lewis' assignment-oriented defense.

Edge: Bills

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The Bengals' overall improvement on defense shows most in the secondary.

The Bills feature one of the league's most dynamic pair of cornerbacks in Nate Clements and Antoine Winfield. Clements has three interceptions and Winfield eight tackles for loss. Toss in strong safety Lawyer Milloy, and there's no reason to wonder why the Bills are No. 3 in the league against the pass.

Edge: Bills

SPECIAL TEAMS

Lewis likes to play a field-position game, and punter Nick Harris has been hurting that effort. Harris needs to improve on his AFC-low 29.5-yard net to keep pace with the Bills' Brian Moorman and his 41.2 net.

Warrick is playing with restored confidence, and it shows in his receiving and his 13.9-yard punt return average. Kickoff coverage was outstanding against the Browns.

Edge: Bengals

COACHING

The Bengals added a new skill - the ability to finish with two sacks, an interception and no turnovers in the fourth quarter last week. Lewis' vision is beginning to take shape.

Starting 2-2, despite the playmaking acquisitions, has Gregg Williams on the hot seat. High expectations have not been met.

Edge: Bengals

CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Bills 20, Bengals 17

Series history

•  Buffalo leads the series with the Bengals 10-9.

•  The Bills are 7-3 against the Bengals in Buffalo.

•  It is a series of streaks. After the Bengals won five in a row, including the 1988 AFC title game, the Bills have won the past five by margins of 17, 19, 14, 13 and 18 points (150-69 total).

•  The Bengals finished their worst season in franchise history (2-14) with a 27-9 loss at Buffalo on Dec. 29. Dick LeBeau was fired as coach the next day. He is now Buffalo's assistant head coach.

By the numbers

43 - Combined seasons Dick LeBeau, Tim Krumrie and Takeo Spikes spent with the Bengals.

52 - Corey Dillon's consecutive starting streak ending today.

4-0 - Jon Kitna TD passes and INTs in the past seven quarters.

14.3 - Points allowed per game by the Bills.

4-1 - Drew Bledsoe's career record vs. the Bengals, with five TD passes and three INTs.

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