Bengals primer against the St. Louis Rams

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 5, 2007 12:17 PM EST in Primer

Game: St. Louis Rams (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Series Leader: Series tied at 5-5
Streak: Rams, past three
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 0-1. Linehan: 0-0
Broadcast: FOX (1:00 PM ET): Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger. SIRIUS: 114 (St.L.), 107 (Cin.). DirectTV: 705
SB Nation: Turf Show Times
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Showers (30%) with a high of 66 [Weather.com]
Uniform: Black

Bengals

Against the NFC, the Marvin Lewis led Bengals are 12-6.
When Carson Palmer throws for three touchdowns or more, the Bengals are 12-2. In 12 games against the NFC, Palmer is 8-4 completing 287 of 436 passes for 3,159 yards, 25 touchdowns and 13 picks (93.8 passer rating).
When Rudi Johnson rushes for 100 yards or more, the Bengals are 15-4. With a touchdown, Rudi will have rushed for a touchdown in three straight games. In his past two games, Rudi has rushed 39 times for 122 yards.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh is leading the league with 88 receptions with at least one touchdown in nine of the 12 games this season -- 11 total.
Chad Johnson ranks 3rd in the AFC and 4th in the NFL with 1,127 yards receiving. He's averaging 138 yards-per-game in his past three games against the NFC.
When the defense records at least two interceptions, the Bengals are 21-5 since 2003.
Leon Hall is tied among NFL rookies with four interceptions.
With an interception, Johnathan Joseph will have at least one interception in three straight games.

St. Louis Rams

In 17 career starts against AFC teams, Marc Bulger has completed 371 of 572 passes for 4,651 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions (95.5 passer rating). When Bulger has a 95 or better passer rating, the Rams are 19-11.
When Steven Jackson carries the ball 24 times or more, the Rams are 8-1. In his past seven games against the AFC, Jackson has 987 yards from scrimmage (141 per game) and seven touchdowns. He looks to continue a streak of rushing touchdowns against AFC teams. A touchdown will extend that streak to five games.
In his last game against the Bengals, Torry Holt had 10 receptions for 124 yards receiving and a touchdown. Holt has 12 100-yard games against AFC teams in his career.
In his last game against the Bengals, Isaac Bruce had six receptions for 152 yards receiving.
Oshiomogho Atogwe looks to intercept his fifth pass in five straight games.
Will Witherspoon has six sacks in the past five games.

Team Rankings

Offense	Bengals	Rams
Total	351.8 (7th)	300.4 (25th)
Passing	262.6 (4th)	208.7 (16th)
Rushing	89.2 (26th)	91.8 (24th)
Scoring	24.2 (7th)	16.3 (t-27th)

Defense	Bengals	Rams
Total	357.2 (29th)	330.2 (17th)
Passing	238.2 (26th)	220.9 (20th)
Rushing	118.9 (23rd)	109.3 (19th)
Scoring	26.3 (29th)	24.8 (27th)
Sacks	18.0 (30th)	26.0 (t-15th)

Turnovers	Bengals	Rams
Interceptions	14 (t-10th)	12 (t-19th)
Fumble Recovery	13 (t-4th)	8 (t-17th)

Special Teams	Bengals	Rams
Kickoff Return	23.6 (t-12th)	23.6 (t-12th)
Punt Return	6.2 (31st)	12.6 (3rd)

Against the Rams

Date	Site	Result
12.21.03	St. Louis	L, 10-27
10.03.99	Cincinnati	L, 10-38
09.01.96	St. Louis	L, 16-26
12.19.93	Cincinnati	W, 15-3
10.07.90	Los Angeles	W, 34-31
11.23.84	Cincinnati	L, 14-24
11.15.1981	Cincinnati	W, 24-10
12.11.78	Los Angeles	W, 20-19 (MNF)
11.08.76	Cincinnati	W, 20-12 (MNF)
10.22.72	Los Angeles	L, 12-15