By Mark Curnutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer

A Bengals team has not been this close to first place this late in a season since 1990.

An upset of the Chiefs today, coupled with a Baltimore loss at Miami, would put the Bengals into a first-place tie in the AFC North. Kansas City, on the other hand, tries to become just the ninth NFL team since the 1970 merger to start the season 10-0.

The matchups are tough for the Bengals. Bengals quarterback Jon Kitna will face a Chiefs secondary that leads the league with 19 interceptions. The Bengals' kick coverage teams will be challenged by the league's most dynamic return man in Dante Hall. An inconsistent Bengals run defense will have to contend with tailback Priest Holmes.

The Chiefs also are resilient.

"People have had them on the ropes, and they found a way to win the football game," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "So you've got to give their players and coaches credit for that."

QUARTERBACK

Trent Green's passer rating of 91.7 is fifth in the league, and he's a master at getting the ball to his many playmakers.

Kitna has won in Cincinnati when he avoids interceptions. In six victories over the past two years, he has 14 touchdown passes and three interceptions. In 15 defeats, it's 15 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

Edge: Chiefs

RUNNING BACKS

Corey Dillon could make a surprise appearance for the Bengals if Lewis decides the tailback's abdominal strain has healed well. Otherwise, it's Rudi Johnson, who lost the element of surprise after going for 182 against Houston last week.

Holmes is one of the league's most complete players. To go along with his NFL-high 14 rushing touchdowns, he leads the Chiefs with 41 receptions for 399 yards.

Edge: Chiefs

RECEIVERS/TIGHT END

Chad Johnson has been playing like an elite receiver, and he and Peter Warrick are one of the league's top 1-2 pass receiving punches.

Kansas City wide receivers Johnnie Morton and Eddie Kennison have seven touchdown catches. Tony Gonzalez is the league's top tight end.

Edge: Bengals

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Bengals line has run hot and cold in the running game. Pass blocking has been consistently good.The Chiefs line has allowed just 13 sacks.

Edge: Chiefs

DEFENSIVE LINE

Defense starts up front, and although the Chiefs give up a lot of yards, they're fourth in the league in scoring defense at 16.7 points a game. Left end Eric Hicks is especially active around the ball.

The Bengals need to take away the run game, and they'll need left tackle John Thornton, downgraded Friday to questionable with a back injury. The line will have to avoid biting on the Chiefs' play-action passes and get to Green.

Edge: Chiefs

LINEBACKERS

Bengals outside linebacker Brian Simmons will have to contain tight end Gonzalez, who runs like a wide receiver. The front seven had better be at its best to deal with Holmes.

The Chiefs have 24 sacks and are getting them from defensive ends and outside linebackers Scott Fujita and Shawn Barber (four each). They've had problems stopping the run.

Edge: Even

DEFENSIVE BACKS

The Bengals secondary is versatile but not deep. Mark Roman and Kevin Kaesviharn are better safeties than cornerbacks. Jeff Burris tried to come back quickly from his second concussion and is out. Artrell Hawkins is forced into starting opposite Tory James.

The four starters in Kansas City's secondary have combined for 15 interceptions, but the pass defense is giving up a lot of yards.

Edge: Chiefs

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kansas City has the league's best punt and kickoff return averages thanks to Hall. Its punt coverage team is fifth.

The Bengals have yet to allow a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown, but Hall will present a major challenge. He averages 21 yards on punt returns. Bengals punt returner Warrick and kickoff returner Brandon Bennett have to worry about ball security.

Edge: Chiefs

COACHING

Dick Vermeil is at the top of his profession. With a win today, he can become the fourth coach in NFL history to win 10 games with three different teams. His players respond well to his emotional approach.

Marvin Lewis appears to have the same organizational philosophy as Vermeil: Stick to a plan, add players, lead. Vermeil's experience is the difference today.

Edge: Chiefs

• CURNUTTE'S PREDICTION: Chiefs 30, Bengals 20

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