Pragmatic says the loser of The Battle of (winless) Ohio (or Battle of Aging Cinderella Stories), could forecast the losing head coach.
Speaking of which, Alex Marvez lists Marvin Lewis on one of five coaches that are running out of time.
3. Marvin Lewis
Joined Bengals: 2003.
Record: 42-42, including an 0-3 start in 2008.
Why he's on the hot seat: Even with most of the core players still on the roster, the Bengals are less of a playoff contender now than two seasons ago. Cincinnati desperately needs a home victory Sunday against winless Cleveland (0-3). Otherwise, the Bengals could stand at 0-7 following upcoming games against Dallas, the New York Jets and Pittsburgh.
In his defense: Lewis often butts heads with Bengals owner Mike Brown regarding personnel decisions, especially when it comes to adding misfits to the roster. Lewis' lack of juice was exposed in August. He was overruled by Brown when the Bengals re-signed troubled wide receiver Chris Henry.
Reason for optimism: The Bengals played much better in last Sunday's 26-23 overtime road loss to the New York Giants. Brown also is the antithesis of Raiders owner Al Davis when it comes to patience with head coaches. Brown gave Dave Shula, Bruce Coslet and Dick LeBeau far more time than they deserved to right this franchise. Whether he likes it or not, Lewis has a legitimate chance of finishing out a Bengals contract that runs through 2010.
If the Bengals only win two games this season, I still don't see Mike Brown firing Lewis. It's just not his style. If Lewis leaves Cincinnati, it will be on his own accord.
All right. Here's the roster moves in the past day. R.F. Mehl points out that the Bengals released Maurice Purify after he "earned" house arrest for violating his probation. The Bengals then waived Geoffrey Pope to make room on the 53-man roster to sign Jamar Fletcher. Once Pope clears waivers, it's likely he'll sign with the team's practice squad replacing Purify.
Fletcher, who played in college at the University of Wisconsin, was a first-round choice of the Miami Dolphins in the 2001 draft. He is a veteran of 94 games, including 10 with Houston in 2007.
He has 157 tackles, seven interceptions and 31 passes defensed in stints with Miami (2001-03), San Diego (2004-05), Detroit (2006) and Houston (2007). Arguably, his finest season was with the Lions in 2006.
Chick Ludwig says that Chris Perry has a great chance of breaking the 100-yard barrier this week. Below is Perry's top rushing performances (not including receiving yards.
| Date | Opp. | Yards | ATT | TD |
| November 20, 2005 | @ Indianapolis Colts | 82 | 8 | 0 |
| September 21, 2008 | @ NY Giants | 74 | 20 | 1 |
| September 14, 2008 | Tennessee Titans | 64 | 21 | 1 |
| October 9, 2005 | @ Jacksonville Jaguars | 55 | 7 | 0 |
| September 18, 2005 | Minnesota Vikings | 47 | 9 | 0 |
OK, now I'm curious. What are Perry's best total performances (yards rushing and receiving).
| Date | Opp. | Total | Rush | Rec | TD |
| November 20, 2005 | @ Colts | 123 | 82 | 41 | 0 |
| September 21, 2008 | @ NY Giants | 93 | 74 | 19 | 1 (rush) |
| September 18, 2005 | Vikings | 80 | 47 | 33 | 0 |
| October 9, 2005 | @ Jaguars | 76 | 55 | 21 | 0 |
| October 16, 2005 | Tennessee | 73 | 28 | 45 | 1 (rec) |