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GAME KEYS CINCINNATI AT BUFFALO
Preview: Slumping Bengals face streaking Bills on road
Sunday, November 04, 2007
What you need to know about today's Bengals-Bills game at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, N.Y.:
Overview
Extras
The Bengals are looking to break the Buffalo curse as the season reaches the midpoint. They haven't defeated the Bills in the regular season since Nov. 27, 1988, at Riverfront Stadium (35-21). Cincinnati also hasn't won at Buffalo since Nov. 3, 1985 (23-17). A Bengals' victory will be difficult because they're catching a hot Bills team.
Scouting the Bengals
They've scored 80 more points than Buffalo (177-97), but have a worse record because their defense is a sieve — a unit that yields too many explosive plays and is unable to stop opponents on a consistent basis, which places too much pressure on the offense.
Tailback Rudi Johnson (hamstring) returns to the lineup and will share the load with Kenny Watson. Look for the Bengals to try and turn the game into a track meet with quarterback Carson Palmer running the no-huddle and playing pitch-and-catch with Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Scouting the Bills
They've rebounded from an 0-3 start with three victories in four games, including two straight. Buffalo aims for its first three-game winning streak since 2004. QB J.P. Losman replaces Trent Edwards, who suffered a wrist injury in last week's 13-3 win over the Jets. Losman came off the bench and fired a career-long 85-yard touchdown pass to Lee Evans to seal the victory. They've scored more than 19 points just once this season (a 25-24 loss to Dallas). They win with defense and great special teams play.
Numbers game
Buffalo leads the series 13-11 thanks to eight straight victories, erasing what was once an 11-5 Cincinnati lead. The Bills boast an 8-3 record as the home team, including five straight wins. But the Bengals are 2-0 against Buffalo in the postseason.
Injury report
Bengals — OT Willie Anderson (knee) and LB Ahmad Brooks (groin) are out; LB Caleb Miller (back) is doubtful; and DT John Thornton (neck), DE Justin Smith (hamstring) and S Herana-Daze Jones (shoulder) are questionable. Bills — QB Trent Edwards (wrist) and LB Leon Joe (back) are doubtful; DE Ryan Denney (foot) and CB Ashton Youboty (ankle) are questionable.
Outcome
The Bengals have the better team and should win the game. But they won't because they've forgotten how, especially on the road. Their defense turns enemy quarterbacks into future hall-of-famers, making Cincinnati everyone's favorite homecoming opponent. The final: Bills 21, Bengals 17.
— Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer
Today's game
Who: Bengals (2-5) at Bills (3-4)
When: 1 p.m. today
TV: CBS (Channel 7)
Radio: WTUE-FM (104.7)
