Cincinnati Bengals
Preview: Bengals (10-6) vs. Jets (9-7)
By Scott Priestle, CNATI.com Posted January 8, 2010 12:26 PM ET
Where: Paul Brown Stadium
When: 4:30 p.m. Saturday
TV: NBC (ch.5)
Radio: AM-700, AM-1530, FM-102.7
Storyline: The Bengals have not won a postseason game since Jan.6, 1991. In order to end the drought, they must beat a Jets team that crushed them only six days earlier. The Bengals treated that game as a warmup, but they were so thoroughly dominated that it is difficult to dismiss the results the way Bengals players have.
Spotlight on ... Domata Peko
The veteran nose guard returns after missing the past four games, and his ability to occupy multiple blockers is a major reason why the Bengals linebackers and safeties have been so productive stopping the run. He will be matched against Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold.
"It will a great battle. I'm really looking forward to it," Peko said. "They have a really good offensive line with Brandon Moore, and then (Alan) Faneca is no joke, either. It's going to be a tough challenge, but that is what this game is about, challenge and competition."
If the Bengals can slow the Jets' top-ranked running game, they can force New York quarterback Mark Sanchez into more passing situations and take advantage of their skill at cornerback and his inexperience. They were unable to do so last week in the 37-0 loss at the Meadowlands.
Peko's return helps on two fronts: He is able to line up opposite Mangold, and Tank Johnson is free to line up between the guard and tackle, where he is more comfortable. Johnson and backups Orien Harris and Shaun Smith struggled against Mangold.
"He has good feet and is like a wrestler, able to use his hands and body really well," Peko said. "When you think you have him at some point, he can use his hips really well to get you out of your gaps. He gained a lot of my respect, looking at him play last week against us. I'm excited and I can't wait for this challenge."
Bengals injury report: out -- DT Pat Sims (forearm); questionable -- S Tom Nelson (knee); probable -- S Chris Crocker (ankle), DE Robert Geathers (knee), DT Domata Peko (knee), DT Tank Johnson (foot), DT Shaun Smith (ankle), RB Larry Johnson (knee), WR Chad Ochocinco (knee)
Jets injury report: questionable -- LB David Harris (ankle), CB Donald Strickland (quadriceps); probable -- WR Jerricho Cotchery (hip), WR Braylon Edwards (elbow), DE Shaun Ellis (knee), LB Ryan Fowler (head), S James Ihedigbo (neck), RB Thomas Jones (knee), QB Mark Sanchez (knee), P Steve Weatherford (right hamstring)
Notable: The weather forecast is for a high around 20 degrees, with a wind-chill in the single digits. ... The Bengals allowed an average of 87.7 rushing yards per game through the first 15 games of the regular season. The Jets gashed them for nearly three times that many -- 257 -- last week. ... The Bengals have lost three of their last four games, all against playoff teams. The Jets have won five of six. ... The Jets allowed the fewest points (14.8 per game) and yards (252.3 per game) in the NFL. The Bengals finished sixth in points allowed (18.2) and fourth in yards allowed (301.4). ... Cedric Benson averaged 96.2 rushing yards per game, second only to Chris Johnson of Tennessee. He sat out three games, including last week. ... This is only the Bengals second postseason appearance since 1991.
Quotable: "We'll be fine. This is what we've done all season. By no means are we down and out by it. There are 12 teams left and we're one of the 12. Last game means nothing." -- center Kyle Cook on rebounding from the 37-0 loss to the Jets
Scott's prediction: Bengals, 12-10
C. Trent's prediction: Jets 17-9
Categories: Cincinnati Bengals, Featured Stories, Features
Tags: Bengals, Domata Peko, Jets, Kyle Cook
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