The Ravens make their way to Cincinnati looking to extend their recent winning ways as this AFC Central rivalry enters its fourth year.

While teams have split their previous six encounters, the Ravens swept this divisional series for the first time last season. In Week 4 on a Sunday evening (ESPN) at Ravens Stadium at Camden Yards, Ravens WR Jermaine Lewis caught four passes for 122 yards, including a 73-yard touchdown, and returned a punt 87 yards for a score in the third quarter while RB Priest Holmes rushed for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Baltimore held off the Bengals, 31-24.

Eight weeks later at Cinergy Field (Week 12), Holmes ran wild again, rushing for 227 yards and a score on 36 carries, while the Baltimore defense limited Cincinnati to 242 total yards as the Ravens posted a 20-13 triumph.

The Ravens are 1-2 in three previous visits to Cincinnati dating back to 1996.

Numbers: The Ravens have scored 222 points in 10 wins, 186 points in 16 losses dating back to '98. They have not recovered an opponent's fumble in five straight games. The Ravens have totaled three or more sacks in three straight games and 7-of-9 contests in '99. They have limited the opposition to 14 or fewer points in six of their last seven contests in '99.

After scoring 35 points in their Week 1 loss at Tennessee, the Bengals have been limited to 20 or fewer points in nine straight games. They have allowed 31 or more points in 6-of-10 contests in '99. The Bengals have allowed 31 or more points in 10 of their last 15 games dating back to Week 13 of '98. In 60 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), QB Jeff Blake is 22-38, throwing 81 touchdown passes and 53 interceptions while being sacked 149 times in those 60 contests. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 43 turnovers in their last 21 games (2-19) dating back to '98. They have allowed 140 or more yards rushing in three straight games. The Bengals have committed two or more turnovers in three straight games

Things to look for: Baltimore's defense probably deserved a better fate last week at Jacksonville but Brian Billick's problem-plagued offense continues to cost its team victories. Still, the Ravens should get well at the expense of the hapless Bengals, who are closing in on another 10-plus loss season and have shown little signs of concern. Talk about a team simply going through the motions, and badly at that!.

Etc.: Since entering the NFL in 1996, Ravens are just 8-21 vs. AFC Central rivals. The Bengals have lost five straight games and are 18-33 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. They have lost 10 straight home games dating back to '98.