Bengals

Ravens nose tackle Kelly Gregg vs. Bengals running back Rudi Johnson George Kokinis, the Ravens' pro personnel director, sizes up a critical matchup against the Bengals: The players Gregg, cut by the Bengals and Eagles before joining the Ravens' practice squad in 2000, has been a starter since 2002. He has had at least 89 tackles each season and ranks fourth on the team in tackles (44) this year. He also has forced a fumble and recovered two others. Johnson broke the Bengals' season rushing record in 2005, gaining 1,458 yards.

NO ONE THOUGHT a couple of months ago that the Ravens' home game tomorrow against the Cincinnati Bengals would be so pivotal, but fans around town are holding their collective breath. In the past, this has been a gimmie game, and it seemed headed that way again after the first meeting, a 23-9 Ravens victory. But not anymore. Admit it. There is slight concern, a little knot of anxiety in the stomach. Of the Ravens' five remaining games, this one is the most intriguing because it involves two teams striving to play at a consistent level.

As the temperature drops, the grass fields become worn and the footballs, fighting sleet and snow, don't sail through the air as easily, Cincinnati Bengals running back Rudi Johnson couldn't be more pleased. This, Johnson flatly states, is his time of year. "Everybody knows that is one of the strong parts in my game. ... I get stronger as the season goes on, as well as the game goes on," Johnson said. "We could use the weather to our advantage with me running the ball inside." Johnson serves as the wild card for the otherwise finesse Bengals (7-3)

CINCINNATI -- Minnesota Vikings Coach Dennis Green likes to call a road game a business trip. All work and no play. Just do the job.On Sunday's itinerary, the Vikings managed to squeeze in a little fun at Riverfront Stadium. They blasted the Cincinnati Bengals 42-7 on one of their most successful business trips in recent years.The Vikings (3-1) moved into a first-place tie in the NFC Central Division with Tampa Bay after their best offensive performance of the season and highest point total since 1989.

Ravens offense WR 89 Mark Clayton LT 75 Jonathan Ogden LG 64 Edwin Mulitalo C 62 Mike Flynn RG 69 Brian Rimpf RT 79 Tony Pashos TE 86 Todd Heap WR 85 Derrick Mason QB 7 Kyle Boller FB 33 Justin Green RB 31 Jamal Lewis Bengals defense LE 90 Justin Smith LT 66 Shaun Smith RT 97 John Thornton RE 91 Robert Geathers OLB 99 David Pollack MLB 51 Odell Thurman OLB 56 Brian Simmons CB 24 Deltha O'Neal CB 20 Tory James SS 26 Ifeanyi Ohalete ...

CINCINNATI BENGALS coach Marvin Lewis is sitting in his office, smiling a lot these days, but with some reservation. It's taken the Bengals a long time to get to the top of the AFC North, but they can get to the bottom quickly again. Lewis knows the franchise's history. The Bengals have had winning streaks before, only to reclaim their identity as The Bungles, NFL doormats and owners of 12 consecutive non-winning seasons. In less than one season, Lewis has taught the Bengals how to win. Now, it's time for lesson two: how to win consistently.

CONDOLENCES as well as congratulations should be offered to Marvin Lewis, the Cincinnati Bengals' new head coach. We understand. We really, really, really do. In the NFL, the window of opportunity for an African-American to become a head coach is nothing more than a crack, so Lewis had no other choice but to slither through and take the worst job among the 32 teams. Poor Marvin. There can be nothing but sympathy. Perhaps no other pro sports team can match the Bengals' incompetence during the past decade, not even the Orioles or the Los Angeles Clippers.

THERE WAS A little bit more than 14 minutes left in the game yesterday when Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon took a handoff and was smothered by Ravens defensive end Michael McCrary for a 2-yard loss. Dillon got up and slammed the ball to the ground. He stormed off the field only to be waved back on by Bengals coach Bruce Coslet. Dillon, though, waved off Coslet like Brady Anderson once blew off a bunt signal. He took a position on the bench, where he was comforted by teammates.

Officials in Cincinnati are considering offering Bengals owner Mike Brown a year-to-year lease in exchange for his keeping the team in town while leaders work out the details for building stadiums for the football team and the Reds."