Bengals-Bucs key players

Giovani Bernard, Cincinnati, RB

He was unspectacular but effective in his return to the lineup last week. Rid of the rust, look for Bernard to have a big game in his home state, as he did last year against Miami with 104 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.

Carlos Dunlap, Cincinnati, DE

He’s been coming off the edge much better the last few weeks and he no doubt will be fired up to play against his good friend and former teammate Michael Johnson. And like Bernard, Dunlap calls Florida home.

Terence Newman, Cincinnati, CB

He’s 5-foot-10 and 34 years old, which means Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans, who leads the NFL with 505 receiving yards in November, will have seven inches and 13 years on him.

Doug Martin, Tampa Bay, RB

He’s had an abysmal year with just 193 rushing yards while averaging 2.8 per carry, but his ankle injury appears to be behind him and the Bengals, while better of late, still rank 27th against the run.

Josh McCown, Tampa Bay, QB

Quarterbacks are key most weeks, but how McCown performs is especially relevant to his team’s success. The Buccaneers are 0-5 in games when McCown throws an interception, and 1-0 when he doesn’t.

Jacquies Smith, Tampa Bay, DE

He appears to have supplanted William Gholston after earning the start last week, and he’ll be going against Marshall Newhouse, Andre Smith’s replacement at right tackle.

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