By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Sunday's game

The Bengals leapt into second place in their division Sunday with a 27-24 victory against Seattle, their third win in the past four games.

The victory was the second in a row for the Bengals over a first-place team. It was their first two-game winning streak since the last two games of 2001, and their first two-game home winning streak since they opened 2001 with three consecutive wins.

Those milestones, however, are minor compared to the major statement the Bengals made Sunday. They have evolved into a team that is bigger than any individual player.

"I think this is, with no question, our best team victory of the season," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said.

The Bengals played for the second time in three games without Pro Bowl tailback Corey Dillon, who was involved in a one-car accident Sunday morning and did not get to Paul Brown Stadium before the Bengals had to turn in their list of inactive players.

In the past few seasons, Dillon's presence loomed larger than the team. His individual success was almost all the hard-luck franchise had to feel good about.

Sunday, it was third-year tailback Rudi Johnson who stepped up, rushing for 101 yards and one touchdown.

But Johnson wasn't the only player to come up big against the Seahawks, who came in at 5-1 and in first place in the NFC West.

Quarterback Jon Kitna, a Tacoma, Wash., native, who played his first four NFL seasons with the Seahawks, passed for 240 yards, two touchdowns - including the game winner to Chad Johnson - and no interceptions. He has eight TD passes and just one interception in the past four games.

Linebacker Brian Simmons - challenged this weekend by Lewis to raise his game - had one interception, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two passes broken up. Cornerback Jeff Burris intercepted one of Simmons' tipped passes to seal the victory with 1:52 remaining.

Defensive tackle John Thornton blocked a field goal that started the Bengals winning drive and added a sack and a fumble recovery.

"Corey Dillon's a great player, but this team is built on more than one person. And it would be great to have him," Thornton said.

"Chad Johnson is emerging as the star of this team. We've got more than enough firepower. I hope (Dillon) gets healthy. If we've got anybody hurt now, we're going to be fine. We don't rely on one person."

The Seahawks scored on their first possession of the second half to take a 24-17 lead. The Bengals answered with a 17-play, 76-yard drive that took 9:10. But a sack of Kitna on third-and-2 from the 2 forced them to settle for a 25-yard Shayne Graham field goal.

Then, the Bengals defense took over. On Seattle's last five possessions, the Bengals would force a punt, block a field goal, intercept Matt Hasselbeck twice and force and recover a fumble on the game's last play. The Bengals forced five turnovers, committed none, and are plus-9 in their three victories.

After Thornton blocked Josh Brown's attempt from the 39-yard line, the Bengals would need only three plays to take the lead.

On third-and-2 from the Bengals 47, Kitna dropped to pass. He collided with tailback Brandon Bennett but retained possession and pushed the ball toward an open Johnson, who grabbed it at his knees and ran the final 40 yards.

"They should have gotten a sack, and it could have been a fumble," Kitna said. "I end up shot-putting the ball out there."

Johnson was called for unsportsmanlike conduct for making a throat-slash gesture in the end zone, and the Bengals, clinging to a three-point lead, had to kick off from the 15.

Seattle drove to the 31, but Simmons came down with his pick after tackle Oliver Gibson's tip.

For the second straight week, Lewis excused players from Monday meetings.

"We wanted to show throughout the course of the season that we're not a one-man team," offensive right tackle Willie Anderson said. "It's not about one guy. It's nothing against Corey. Once Corey gets back in there, we're going to ride his back."

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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