RB Benson a Game-Time Decision vs Cleveland
The Bengals lost in Oakland last week and are looking to rebound tomorrow, but according to the Cincy Enquirer, may or may not be doing it without the services of RB Cedric Benson: Bengals running back Cedric Benson and defensive tackle Domata Peko said before Friday’s practice that they felt they’d be on the field for the workout in Paul Brown Stadium, and they were. Benson was limited, but indications continue to point toward the fifth-year running back possibly being in the lineup for Sunday’s game against Cleveland. Benson suffered a hip-flexor injury

Not So Fast
Well, as it turns out, there are still a few chinks in the striped armor. After a convincing blow-out of Chicago, the Bengals followed their bye week with solid wins over Baltimore at home and Pittsburgh on the road. All three wins were a testament to the kind of mentally tough team Marvin Lewis is trying to build. They were beginning to look like championship material. Then New England lost to Indianapolis, and suddenly the Bengals owned the second seed in the AFC playoff race. Though still early, it meant a first round bye, and home field advantage in the AFC semi-finals. At 7-2, the upcoming schedule looked inviting. At Oakland, then home bouts with Cleveland and Detroi

Bengals Tweak Midseason Roster
The Bengals announced a few small moves on Tuesday that primarily affects the bottom-end of the roster. Offensive guard/tackle Scott Kooistra, who was cut a few weeks ago and then re-signed on November 9th, was released again. This doubtlessly indicates that starting guard Evan Mathis is fully healed and ready to get back into the line-up from his recent ankle injury. With the open spot on the roster, the team re-signed another familiar face in defensive tackle Orien Harris. Harris was cut to make room for the arrival of running-back Larry Johnson last week. These moves make a lot of sense to most Bengal observers. Mathis was a starting guard for the majority of the season.

DT Domata Peko Hopes He’ll Play This Week
DT Domata Peko, who left Sunday’s game at Oakland with a sprained right MCL, said he’ll try to play this Sunday vs. Cleveland with a customized knee brace. “I’m a little sore,” Peko said Monday. “It hurts a little bit when I do some change of direction stuff. I should be day by day with a chance to play this Sunday. I’m happy about that.”

Caldwell Fumble Cripples Bengals Late, Raiders Escape 20-17
The Oakland Raiders, by and large, are an unlucky team that happens to be offensively challenged, as well. And as luck would have it, they on Sunday would have to host the Cincinnati Bengals over at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The Bengals’ rushing attack was better than expected and their run defense stopped the Raiders, for the most part. First glance would tell you that the Bengals romped, right? Not so fast. Desp