Preview: Bengals @ Chiefs - 1 p.m.

By Adam Kiefaber

Quarterback: The Bengals clearly have the advantage at the quarterback position. Carson Palmer is on pace to throw for 4,684 yards with 40 touchdowns. Chiefs quarterback Damon Huard has struggled this season. Earlier in the week, the rumor was that second-year Brodie Croyle was going to get the start. Fortunately for the Chiefs, the Bengals defense, especially at linebacker and in the defensive backfield, is depleted – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Running Back: The national media is ripping on Larry Johnson (left). Last week, he rushed for 12 yards on nine carries. Now, ESPN’s so-called experts say Johnson should be benched. However, how does everyone forget that Johnson ran for 123 yards on 25 carries and caught three passes for 25 yards against San Diego the previous week. Rudi Johnson hadn’t participated all week, but suited up on Friday. I expect Kenny Watson to get most of the playing time with Rudi coming off the bench. The Bengals’ running game has been nonexistent this year. Larry Johnson’s backups are Michael Bennett and Kolby Smith. - ADVANTAGE CHIEFS

Wide Receivers: T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson are putting up some huge numbers this year. Housh is on pace to catch 156 passes, which would be an NFL record, and 20 touchdowns - CJ is on pace to catch 112 passes for 1,980 yards. While they make up a great duo, the Bengals still need a third receiver to step up. It won’t be Tab Perry, who is out with a hip injury. However, it could be Antonio Chatman, Glenn Holt or Skyler Green. The Chiefs have a great rookie in Dwayne Bowe. Tight end Tony Gonzalez has always been great. Eddie Kennison looks to be out with a hamstring injury. Samie Parker is a solid option, hopefully the Bengals secondary doesn’t make him look a great one. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Offensive Line: Willie Anderson’s starting streak ends at 116 games. Levi Jones will start on one side and Stacy Andrews will start on the other side. Both tackles will have their hands full with defensive ends Jared Allen and Tamba Hali. With Andrews at tackle, it should help the running game, but he could have trouble stopping pass rushers (remember the Colts game last year). Eric Ghiaciuc is expected back at center. Andrew Whitworth and Bobbie Williams make up a strong interior. The Chiefs offensive line is solid. Guard Brian Waters is the best. Center Casey Wiegmann is a tough player. The weakness for the Chiefs is at tackle, Damion McIntosh has experience, but is better suited as a backup. And Chris Terry looked to be a promising prospect at one time has been sidetracked by off-field problems. Despite the injuries, I like the Bengals’ o-line. – ADVANTAGE BENGALS

Defensive Line: Chiefs defensive ends Jared Allen (right) and Tamba Hali are scary. I expect at least one of them to get a sack, if not two. I don’t know much about defensive tackles Ron Edwards and Alfonso Boone, but according to sources they are average at best. The Bengals could have an even match-up at this spot, but DEs Robert Geathers and Justin Smith have been disappointing since the first game. DTs John Thornton and Domata Peko are solid. The Bengals’ d-line could have a big game against the weaker Chiefs’ o-line, but for now I can’t give them any credit until they actually do something. – ADVANTAGE CHIEFS

Linebackers: I couldn’t imagine any situation where the Bengals would have the advantage over any NFL team at the linebacker spot. Ahmad Brooks and Caleb Miller didn’t practice on Friday and are doubtful for this game. I would say they are out. That leaves the Bengals with only four linebackers. Cincinnati will start Dhani Jones (entering his third game with the team), Landon Johnson (who might have vision problems) on outside with Anthony Schlegel (who is injured with turf toe and signed with the Bengals on cut-down day) starting inside. That would leave the newly acquired Corey Mays as the only backup. Do I need to even talk about the Chiefs’ LBs. Starting for the Chiefs will be Derrick Johnson, Napoleon Harris and Donnie Edwards. All three are in the top-three on the team in tackles this season and have combined for six sacks. – ADVANTAGE CHIEFS

Secondary: Safety Dexter Jackson has missed a lot practice this week due to an illness, but is listed as probable. That’s big because the Bengals are expected to use their other starting safety has their third cornerback. Cincinnati’s No. 1 CB Johnthan Joseph will be serving a one-game suspension this week. Scary, not in a good way, rookie CB Leon Hall will start on one side with Deltha O’Neal on the other. That could mean more playing time for rookie Chinedum Ndukwe and Herana-Daze Jones at safety. The Chiefs have a pair of aging cornerbacks in Ty Law and Patrick Surtain. Both are still good, but each has lost a step. Young safety Jarrad Page is fourth on the team in tackles and is a good open-field tackler. Bernard Pollard is another young safety that continues to improve. – ADVANTAGE CHIEFS

Special Teams: This is probably a toss up. The Bengals have been terrible this year on kick/punt return coverage, but they recently have added Blue Adams and John Busing off the practice squad to help. I still think Glenn Holt is a good kickoff returner. And I have a feeling this will be the week that Skyler Green gets his big return. However, punter Dustin Colquitt is one best in the NFL. I hate to say this, but Shayne Graham is a better kicker Dave Rayner. Returner Eddie Drummond is extremely dangerous and has six career touchdowns off returns - EVEN

OVERALL BREAKDOWN:

The Bengals defense is worse than ever, but I just have a feeling that they will play well enough to win this game.

Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh should be able to run by the Chiefs ancient cornerbacks. However, I see at least one INT from the savvy veterans.

I expect Huard to have a bad game - at least two picks and sacked around three times. Hopefully this will give the Bengal defense some confidence.

I also expect Bowe to make a big play, but only one.

Stopping PR/KR Eddie Drummond could be the key factor.

Tony Gonzalez will cause headaches -

-but-

FINAL SCORE: BENGALS 28, CHIEFS 13
I know the Bengals would be 5-0 if all my predictions were correct. However, I can just feel this one. This isn’t baseball, but this team is due. The Bengals need to win this game if they have any hope to make a late-season playoff run.

Also, check out Arrowhead Addict and House of Georges two sites that connected Bengal Stripes and cover the Chiefs - we might hear more from them before and after the game.