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Bengals, 49ers playing out the string

Dec 15, 2007 - 11:23 AM Cincinnati (5-8) at San Francisco (3-10) Saturday 8:15 pm EST

SAN FRANCISCO (Ticker) - A season of once-promising hopes is sputtering to the finish line for the Cincinnati Bengals and San Francisco 49ers.

The Bengals visit the stumbling 49ers in a matchup of two teams already eliminated from postseason contention.

An early four-game losing streak all but ended the season before it started for Cincinnati, which has been unable to win back-to-back games despite being touted as one of the favorites to win the AFC North.

The Bengals' defense was unable to stop anyone early in the season and the offense, expected to be among the league's best, has stumbled in big spots, managing a total of 23 points in two losses to Pittsburgh and 13 against New England.

Last week, Cincinnati needed four field goals from Shayne Graham to struggle past the feeble Rams, 19-10.

Carson Palmer completed 21-of-29 passes for 189 yards with two interceptions for the Bengals (5-8), who are looking to avoid their first losing season since Marvin Lewis took over as coach in 2003.

Rudi Johnson, struggling through an injury-plagued campaign, had his second-best output of the season, rushing for 92 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries. It was just the third TD run for Johnson, who had 12 in each of the past three seasons.

"We ran more power stuff downhill," Johnson said. "We ran right at them. I'm getting better and better each week. We just have to stick to it."

San Francisco has been even worse, primarily due to an inept offense that has generated a league-low 171 points.

Already reeling from 10 losses in their last 11 games, the 49ers likely will be forced to start Shaun King at quarterback.

King had never attempted a pass in the NFL until relieving an injured Trent Dilfer in last week's 27-7 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Playing the entire second half after Dilfer suffered a concussion, King finished 22-of-28 with one TD pass.

Last week marked San Francisco's fifth straight loss at home, matching the futility of the team that dropped five in a row at home in 2004.