The Titans make their way to Cinergy Field in position to sweep this AFC Central rivalry for the second straight year.

On opening day at Adelphia Coliseum (Week 1), Jeff Fisher's team jumped out to a 26-7 second-quarter advantage, only to watch the Bengals score 28 straight points and take a 35-26 lead with 7:56 to play. But Titans QB Steve McNair, who finished the afternoon with 341 yards passing and 3 touchdowns (1 INT) and rushed for another score, led his team to 10 points in the final 4:30 as Titans' PK Al Del Greco's 33-yard field goal with just :08 to play the difference in Tennessee's 36-35 triumph.

Including playoffs, the Titans own a three-game edge in this series (32-29-1) and have prevailed in 13 of the last 17 meetings between the clubs dating back to 1991.

As for Tennessee's last visit to Cinergy Field (Week 1 of '98), Titans RB Eddie George ran for 86 yards and a score and Del Greco added 3 field goals as Fisher's club posted a 23-14 victory.

The Titans are 6-2 in their last eight visits to Cincinnati dating back to 1991.

Numbers: After giving up just five touchdown passes in their first seven games, the Titans have allowed 32 TD passes in their last 17 contests dating back to '98. The Titans have allowed two or more touchdown passes in 3 straight games.

After scoring 35 points in their Week 1 loss at Tennessee, the Bengals have been limited to 20 or fewer points in eight straight games. The Bengals have allowed 31 or more points in three straight games and 6-of-9 contests in '99. The Bengals have allowed 31 or more points in 10 of their last 14 games dating back to Week 13 of '98. In 59 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), QB Jeff Blake is 22-37, throwing 80 touchdown passes and 53 interceptions while being sacked 142 times in those 59 contests. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 39 turnovers in their last 20 games (2-18) dating back to '98.

Things to look for: While the Titans' offense obviously didn't get its game passes for the primetime showdown with the Dolphins, Tennessee's aggressive defensive unit continues to look strong and should spent the afternoon pounding the Cincinnati offense into submission. The Bengals' only hope is a huge effort from RB Corey Dillon, who's been known to come up big against this team in the past.

Etc.: The Bengals are 1-8 for the first time since 1994, when they finished 3-13 under since-departed head coach David Shula. The Titans have played 6-of-8 games in '99 decided by three or fewer points. They are 22-20 in their last 42 divisional games (1994-99), this after going 6-0 vs. AFC Central foes in '93. However, the Titans are 11-1 in their last 12 games vs. divisional competition dating back to '98 (4-0 in '99) and have won 10 straight games vs. AFC Central rivals.

The Bengals have lost nine straight home games dating back to '98. They are 18-32 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. Titans PK Al Del Greco (1,408) needs 14 points to tie Matt Bahr (1,422) for 10th place on the NFL's all-time scoring list.