Against Bengals, Rams try to get bye

ST. LOUIS -- Two games away from their first playoff berth in 13 seasons, the Cincinnati Bengals are trying not to look too far ahead.

They obviously need today's game a lot more than the Rams, who clinched the NFC West last week. The Bengals (8-6) are tied with the Ravens for first place in the AFC North and own the tiebreaker advantage.

The Bengals finish at home against the Browns, while the Ravens play at Cleveland this week and finish at home against the Steelers. The Bengals are so close, they can taste it.

"Our goal was to win the division and I felt that was something that we could do," coach Marvin Lewis said. "Guys thought I was crazy, but you do things the right way in the NFL then you have an opportunity to win."

The Bengals need one victory for their first winning season since 1990, the longest current streak of futility in the NFL. And Lewis is trying to become the first head coach in franchise history to produce a playoff berth in his first season.

More incentive.

"This year we expected to win," quarterback Jon Kitna said. "You have guys trying to make plays this year, whereas last year I really felt like guys were trying to hide so they wouldn't be the reason we lose."

Don't think for a minute, though, that the Rams (11-3) will be in a relaxed mood. They're still chasing a first-round bye and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, and they want to enter the postseason on a roll.

So coach Mike Martz said he doesn't fear a letdown.

"No, no, absolutely not," Martz said. "I don't believe that, not with this team. Maybe some other team, but not with this team.

"I'd be shocked and extremely disappointed to observe any letdown by this football team. It's just not in their personality."

Plus, the Rams have a chance to finish the season unbeaten at home for the second time in three seasons. They've won 13 straight regular-season games to tie a franchise record in the Edward Jones Dome, dominating in a noisy venue that has wreaked havoc with the opposition's play-calling.

"You're not sure if after a game like that and doing what we've done and clinching, if you're going to get a sigh, if they're just kind of relieved that part is over," running back Marshall Faulk said. "We'll have a good week of practice and they'll see that the intensity is still there through the veterans and it's something that they can't do, they can't let up."

A win also would keep the heat on the Eagles (11-3), who have the tiebreaker for home-field advantage over the Rams on a better record against NFC opponents.

"It's important for anyone, not just us," quarterback Marc Bulger said. "You ask Philly, they would say the same thing."

The Bengals lead the AFC North more because of a high-powered offense than a defense than can stop anyone, a big change for Lewis. They allowed 502 yards and 31 first downs last week in a 41-38 victory over the 49ers -- the first time in franchise history the team won while giving up that many points.

The week before that, they yielded 227 yards rushing in a 31-13 loss to the Ravens.

To hold their tiebreaker advantage over the Ravens this week, they'll have to outscore one of the NFL's highest-scoring teams. The Rams are averaging 28.6 points per game and Bulger is back on his game after struggling a bit with his mechanics and negative publicity surrounding his 19 interceptions.

Isaac Bruce, 19 yards shy of his fifth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, could be part of the package opposite Torry Holt. The wide receiver has a mild high ankle sprain, but returned to practice on Thursday.

"Obviously, if he feels remotely good to play, he'll probably play," said Dane Looker, the Rams' No. 3 wide receiver.

Lewis bused his team to an indoor soccer facility for practices on Wednesday and Thursday, the first time he's done that. The Bengals do not have an indoor practice facility.

The Bengals will try to keep up with the Rams with an offense led by Kitna, who has 20 touchdowns and one interception in the team's eight victories. Kitna has minimized mistakes, with one interception in his last 162 passes, a potentially big statistic given the fact the Rams lead the NFL with 41 takeaways.

"First and foremost, their speed is just something you don't see week after week," Kitna said. "It's a lot like playing Tampa Bay: you know where they're going to be, but they know their scheme so well that you have to try to out-execute them."

Noteworthy

Bengals wide receiver Peter Warrick had knee surgery and will miss today's games. Warrick tore cartilage in his right knee during last week's victory over San Francisco and underwent surgery Friday. The Bengals hope Warrick, also a kick returner, can return for the season finale. He has 75 catches for 794 yards and seven touchdowns this season, all career bests.