The upcoming Bengals game, 12/11/2011

[Arky]

The 9-3 Texans travel to Cincinnati this Sunday to take on the Bengals (7- 5) in a CBS early game. The Texans are coming off a 17-10 win over the Atlanta Falcons at home and look to extend their team record 6-game win streak. Rookie backup QB TJ Yates will make his second NFL start and look to keep it going without the services of veteran WR Andre Johnson who injured another hamstring in the win against Atlanta.

The Bengals are led by rookie QB Andy Dalton (209.5 yds/game, 17 TD, 12 INT, 81.6 rating). Dalton likes to toss the ball to wide receivers AJ Green (50/832), Jerome Simpson (36/577), Andre Caldwell (35/307) and tight end Jermaine Gresham (40/407). Running back Cedric Benson (792, 3.9 ypc) makes up the bulk of the Cincinnati running game. Statistically, the Bengal defense is top 10 in many categories though Football Outsiders ranks them more as middle of the pack (16th). This is probably related to the fact that the Bengals seem to struggle against the really good teams (49'ers, Ravens, Steelers) and get by against the weaker teams (Cleveland, Indy, Jacksonville). Their most significant wins to date are a 24-22 victory over the Orton-led Denver Broncos in Week 2, handing the Bills their first loss 23-20 in Week 4 and a 24-17 victory over the Titans in Tennessee. With the exception of last week's blowout loss to Pittsburgh 35-7 in Pittsburgh, the Bengals other four losses were decided by less than 7 points.

TV = CBS (channel 11 local), 12 noon CST

Announcers = Marv Albert, Rich Gannon

Favorite = Bengals by 1.5 to 3