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Bengals aim for third straight win, face lowly Raiders

Dec 5, 2006 - 8:12 PM Oakland (2-10) at Cincinnati (7-5) Sunday 1:00 pm EST

CINCINNATI (Ticker) -- After struggling for much of the season defensively, the Cincinnati Bengals have shown signs of turning things around.

The Bengals seek their season-high fourth straight win Sunday when they face the hapless Oakland Raiders.

Ranked just 31st overall in total defense, the Bengals have surrendered just seven points in their last two games.

There is a chance for the Bengals to continue their success in this contest since they face Raiders team, which is ranked 31st offensively and averages just 12.2 points. Thanks to their winning streak, the Bengals have vaulted themselves back into playoff contention and are one of five teams in the AFC with a 7-5 record. Cincinnati is two games behind Baltimore in the North.

After facing the Raiders, who are tied with Detroit for the NFL's worst record, the Bengals have road games the next two weeks against Indianapolis and Denver.

Last Thursday, the Bengals came within 61 seconds of their second straight shutout in a 13-7 victory over the Ravens. Carson Palmer carried things offensively, completing 21-of-32 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown.

Bengals Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson had eight catches for 91 yards against the Ravens. He has 32 catches for 664 receiving yards and five TDs in his last four games.

Johnson could find things more difficult against the Raiders, who allow 143.0 passing yards per game to rank first overall.

Things also continue to be major challenge offensively for Oakland, which is coming off last Sunday's 23-14 loss to Houston.

Against the Texans, the Raiders were playing their first game since John Shoop took over the play-calling duties from Tom Walsh. The change failed to produce any results as Oakland turned the ball over five times, missed three field goals, allowed five sacks and scored just one offensive touchdown.