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Bengals need to find way to slow down Patriots

Sep 30, 2007 - 12:21 PM New England (3-0) at Cincinnati (1-2) Monday 8:30 pm EDT

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- The Cincinnati Bengals have to hope a return hope can snap a two-game losing streak and slow down the conference's highest-scoring team.

Coming off back-to-back road losses, the Bengals look to get untracked when they host the high-powered New England Patriots on Monday night.

The Patriots lead the AFC with 114 points, scoring 38 points in each of their first three victories while mauling the New York Jets, San Diego Chargers and Buffalo Bills.

Draft-day acquisition Randy Moss has been better than advertised, showing renewed life with New England.

Despite missing the entire preseason with a leg injury, the 30-year-old Moss has been spectacular, catching 22 passes for 403 yards and five touchdowns.

The former Pro Bowl receiver is the first player to crack the 100-yard receiving mark in each of his first three games with a new team.

With the presence of Moss, quarterback Tom Brady is off to a torrid start. He tied a career high with four touchdown passes against the Bills.

Brady's numbers through three games are staggering. He is completing 79.5 percent of his passes (70-of-88) with 10 touchdowns and one interception. His passer rating is an off-the-charts 141.8.

The Bengals have the offensive firepower to hang with the Patriots, but their defense is another story.

Cincinnati has allowed 95 points in three games, highlighted by a 51-45 loss at Cleveland in Week Two.

Wide receivers Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh form one of the best tandems in the league, combining for 21 catches and 279 yards in Sunday's 24-21 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

Johnson's numbers rival those of Moss - 25 catches for 442 yards and three touchdowns. Houshmandzadeh had 29 receptions and four TDs, which will present the Patriots' secondary with its stiffest test of the season.

Quarterback Carson Palmer also has posted gaudy stats, completing 80-of-125 passes for 937 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions.

One trouble spot offensively has been the running game. Rudi Johnson is averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry and had to leave Sunday's game with an ailing hamstring after gaining just nine yards on 17 carries.

The teams met exactly one year ago in Cincinnati with the Patriots rolling to a 38-13 victory behind two touchdowns from running back Laurence Maroney.