Bengals at Seahawks
THE STORY: The Cincinnati Bengals are traveling across the country in their pursuit of a fourth straight win. For the Bengals to accomplish the feat for the second time in three years in Sunday's game against the host Seattle Seahawks, they will have to do so without Cedric Benson. The team's leading rusher is serving a one-game suspension for violating the NFL's conduct policy. Bernard Scott will make his third career start for the Bengals, who are well rested after enjoying a bye week. For its part, Seattle's offense is certainly well rested after mustering just a field goal in a 6-3 loss to the Cleveland Browns last week.
TV: CBS, 4:15 p.m. ET. LINE: Bengals -3, O/U 38
ABOUT THE BENGALS (4-2): A quicker runner than the bruising Benson, Scott will likely test the corners – as opposed to the interior – of the Seahawks' top-ranked rush defense. Making his first start this season, Scott has rushed just 30 times for 85 yards this season. Rookie Andy Dalton, who was bypassed by the Seahawks in the draft, has amassed an 84.3 passer rating as the Bengals have already matched last season's win total. Fellow rookie A.J. Green has collected five catches and a touchdown in his last two games. Should Cincinnati win on Sunday, Marvin Lewis (64-71-1) will move past Sam Wyche (64-68) and become the team's winningest coach.
ABOUT THE SEAHAWKS (2-4): Running back Marshawn Lynch is a game-time decision on Sunday after being a last-minute scratch from last week's contest when he hurt his lower back in pregame warmups. Lynch leads the team with a pedestrian 239 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is nursing a pectoral strain which forced him to miss last weekend's game versus the Browns. He is also a game-time decision with backup Charlie Whitehurst waiting in the wings. The Bengals rank second in the NFL in yards allowed (278.5), which doesn't bode well for either Jackson or Whitehurst.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Seattle has won the last four meetings between these unfamiliar foes. The last Bengals victory? A 20-17 road triumph on Nov. 6, 1994.
2. The Bengals haven't fared well in their travels to the West Coast, losing four straight and 11 of their last 12.
3. Cincinnati cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones has practiced this week and may be activated on Sunday. Jones has missed the last six games while recovering from neck surgery.