After beating the Patriots and the undefeated Tennessee Titans, there's momentum that should include Brett Favre in MVP discussions. Favre's 20 touchdown passes ranks third, and he's generally in the top-ten of every major quarterback category. However, the argument for his "nomination" isn't his numbers, rather his play in big games, leading the Jets deep into the season as playoff favorites, leading the AFC East with the third best record in the AFC.

In the past ten years, the Bengals have faced five players during their MVP season, voted on by the Pro Football Writers of America (not the AP). We've lost every one of them except for the first time the Bengals met up with Jamal Lewis in 2003.

Starters. Comparing the starting roster during kickoff weekend against the Ravens, and the week 12 starting roster against the Steelers, there's 10 lineup changes due to injury or feeling sleepy. Receiving, tight end and full back (h-back) is often dictated by the formation the Bengals come out in, so that's kind of messy.

If this team were made of rookies, we'd have two wins, maybe more. I think it's becoming evident that this rookie class is going to be a good one. Anthony Collins came through with the toughest task asked of a rookie tackle. Andre Caldwell got into the offense. Pat Sims has performed well this season, Keith Rivers was coming into his own, and Corey Lynch made some plays. At one point we were wondering where our rookies are. There they are.

The Bengals rush defense has performed well in successive weeks, allowing the Jaguars and Eagles only 68 yards rushing a piece. Evenly splitting the season into two five-game campaigns, the Bengals rush defense has doubled their efforts, cutting the yardage allowed in half.

You'll note the obvious trend of lowering the opposing team's rushing efforts, limiting three of the past five teams to less than 100 yards rushing.

It might be somewhat surprising to see that the Bengals defense has only allowed two 100-yard rushers all season (Mewelde Moore, Chris Johnson). Though you'll also note that the Bengals have played various offenses that incorporate a two-back system, like the Cowboys, Titans, Giants, and Jaguars. Based on a different perspective, you could combine the yardage of the top two running backs for the Giants, Cowboys, Titans and Ravens to make the argument that the Bengals have allowed over 100 yards to the opposing team's two leading rushers for that game, which inflates to five games. Again, that depends on your perspective.

I listed the opposing team's leading rusher for the game we played them, and if a second running back got significant chances (through that point of the season), I listed those as well.

Even though the Bengals defense broke a string of nine-straight games allowing a rushing touchdown, touchdowns continue to be a problem. Most aspects against the rush are improving though. So why the improvement? It's not like the Bengals are playing with significant leads, forcing opposing offenses to throw the ball late in the game.

Pat Sims played his first game against the Jets (the first game of the second five-game stretch). Brandon Johnson, who is receiving additional playing time after Rivers' injury and Darryl Blackstock's suspension, has recorded five tackles or more in his past four games, and two seven-tackle efforts against the Steelers and Eagles. Johnathan Joseph (15 tackles against the Jaguars) and Leon Hall are playing tremendous against the run, crashing downhill to protect the edges.

It also seems generally that the Bengals players are playing tougher against the run, filling gaps with bodies and safeties crashing the line of scrimmage, avoiding blocks and making shoe-string tackles. I think the improved effort against the run should be encouraging for fans, if they keep this pace, heading into next season. With a few adjustments (pass coverage, general line blocking, pass rushing), and a returning Carson Palmer, the Bengals should be better than 1-8-1 this time next season.

Ludwig's three keys to success are protecting Palmer, slowing Jamal Lewis and being special on special teams. I wanted to focus on Lewis' historical performances against the Bengals (note, 2006 and earlier he was with the Baltimore Ravens... and the result is from a Bengals perspective). Lewis, in his career, has played in 13 games against the Bengals, nine of which are 100-yard-or-more performances (Bengals are 2-7 when Lewis rushes for 100 yards or more), sporting a career 5.46 yards-per-carry average.

Moving on.

Chinedum Ndukwe and Brady Quinn are close friends.

Some are suggesting that Levi Jones could be in a fight to keep his job as the team's starting left tackle.

Bobbie Williams: "That ain't a sight I want to see, my quarterback with a bloody nose. It kind of makes me feel like I'm not really doing my job."

PFW says that a lack of passing rush hurts the Bengals. Really?

The state of Ohio and the state of Missouri are 0-12 when it comes to NFL teams.

Chris is putting his faith behind Derek Anderson.

Chick Ludwig (my personal favorite Bengals beat writer) points out that the Bengals will play 13 games against running backs (all six games in the AFC North) that have rushed for 1,000 yards or more. For running backs, 1,000 yards rushing has always been the benchmark -- and the argument that 1,000 yards rushing just isn't that impressive anymore is a VERY valid one. But it is the benchmark nonetheless. Using Chick's research (we're a lazy group bloggers, eh?), let's quickly run down the 1,000 yard rushers we face this season.

• Willie Parker (1,312 yards rushing)
• Willis McGahee (1,207)
• Jamal Lewis (1,304)

That's six among the AFC North alone. The rest:

• Joseph Addai (1,072)
• Fred Taylor (1,202)
• LenDale White (1,110)
• Thomas Jones (1,119)
• Brandon Jacobs (1,009)
• Brian Westbrook (1,333)
• Clinton Portis (1,262)

Let's quickly examine opposing running backs against the Bengals defense in 2007.

The Bengals played 12 games against running backs that recorded 1,000-yard seasons. Of those 12, in only four games did the running back actually record 100 yards or more against the Bengals. The spin: three of four games with feature backs with less than 800-yard rushing seasons, actually rushed for 100 yards or more against the Bengals. A neat little trend: the Bengals defense hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown the opposing team's running back for six straight games... a trend that exists going into 2008.

UPDATE: We needed to point out that the trend of not giving up a rushing touchdown to the opposing team's running back was solely meant as the opposing team's feature back -- not back ups or QBs.

2007 Breakdown against Feature Backs [Cincy Jungle]