By Mark Curnutte
Enquirer staff writer

Running back Rudi Johnson spins the football after scoring against the New England Patriots in an exhibition game. (Steven M. Herppich/The Enquirer)

The Bengals' formula for winning this season, like many teams', starts with the run: Running the ball consistently on offense and stopping the run on defense.

Coordinators Bob Bratkowski and Leslie Frazier on Thursday discussed what the Bengals must do to be successful on offense and defense.

The team will practice today for the final time before the regular-season opener Sunday at the New York Jets.

The offense was the least broken of the Bengals' parts when coach Marvin Lewis took over in January 2003. Bratkowski already had worked as a Bengals coordinator for two seasons.

The Bengals enter play this season with four of the past five first-round draft choices having been on offense: wide receiver Peter Warrick, 2000; left tackle Levi Jones, 2002; quarterback Carson Palmer, 2003; and running back Chris Perry, 2004.

"When we look at it, we look at the big picture," Bratkowski said. "We need to score more points than our opponents. The teams that get into the playoffs, the last three years in the AFC, have averaged 23 1/2 points a game. So we hold ourselves to that standard."

The question becomes, how is that accomplished?

"If we have a consistent running game and force them to stack up the line against us, then we are able to use the skill players and Carson's ability to throw the ball down the field and the intermediate lengths with success," Bratkowski said.

"So the running game is one thing."

Rudi Johnson, who led the Bengals with 957 rushing yards last season, takes over as featured back from Corey Dillon.

Johnson did not fumble last year, and the Bengals lost just seven fumbles all season. Coupled with 15 interceptions, the Bengals committed 22 giveaways, tied for fourth best in the NFL.

"You look at all the critical areas - red zone, third downs, goal line - we were pretty good in all those last year and have to stay there," Bratkowski said. "The improvements we need to make are eliminate the penalties and mental errors and stay good with the turnovers."

The Bengals had 24 takeaways, which gave them a plus-2 turnover differential, and Frazier said the defense is after a lot more this year. But good defense has to start with being good against the run, he said.

"It gives you a chance to be a lot more aggressive on defense with some of the things you can do," Frazier said of tough run defense. "If you can force them to be a little more predictable on offense, you can start calling the game you want to.

"If they're running the football on you effectively, it gets you on the heels and, of course, keeps your offense off the field."

The Bengals tied for 25th in rush defense in 2003 with an average of 138.6 yards a game. They were 28th in points and yards allowed.

If the Bengals can stop the run, they can play more aggressively on defense and force more turnovers. And turnovers are the element that bridges offense and defense.

Of the statistics that measure football performance, turnover differential is one of the most telling.

The Bengals' plus-2 differential in 2003 was their first positive number since 1997. From 1998 through 2002, they were a combined minus-45 and lost at least 10 games each season.

In finishing plus-2 last season, the Bengals were 5-0 when they had a plus in differential, 1-7 when they were minus and 2-1 when even.

"There's probably no other statistic that correlates more closely with winning and losing than turnovers," Lewis said. "Sometimes it can be frustrating when they don't go your way, but they tend to come in bunches, and if you're doing the right things, good things will happen."

E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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