The Rams make their way to Cincinnati for the first time since 1993 looking to narrow the Bengals' advantage in this infrequent pairing.

While Cincinnati owns a 5-3 edge in the series standings, the Rams managed a 26-16 triumph in 1996 in the most recent encounter between the teams.

The Rams are 1-3 lifetime at Cinergy Field, their last visit to Cincinnati resulting in a 15-3 loss in 1993

Numbers:Rams QB Kurt Warner has thrown 6 touchdown passes and 2 interception in 2 games in '99 (2-0). In '98, since-departed Rams' QBs Tony Banks and Stevee Bono (4-12) combined to throw just 12 touchdown passes and 18 interceptions. The Rams have scored 178 points in six wins, 169 points in 12 losses dating back to '98.

In 57 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), QB Jeff Blake is 22-35, throwing 79 touchdown passes and 50 interceptions while being sacked 138 times in those 57 contests. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 29 turnovers in their last 14 games (1-13) dating back to '98.

Things To Look For: With newly-acquired QB Trent Green shelved before the season began, it looked like another dismal season for the inept Rams. But former Arena League standout Kurt Warner has simply been sensational to date, and RB Marshall Faulk has picked up where he left off last season with the Colts. It's hard to believe the Bengals' inept defense will find a way to slow down all of these weapons.

Etc.: The Rams are 2-0 for the first time since 1995, while Bengals are 0-3 for the first time since 1994 and the fourth time in the last 9 seasons (1991-99). The Rams (47-99) and Bengals (48-99) own the NFL's two worst records in the 1990s, and the loser of this contest will become just the second team in league history to lose at least 100 games in a given decade (Buccaneers were 45-106-1 in the 1980s). St. Louis is 47-99 in the 1990s, 31-78 vs. NFC teams but 16-21 vs. AFC competition (4-1 dating back to '98).

The Bengals are 13-24 vs. NFC competition dating back to 1990 (0-1 in '99). They are 17-27 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. Over the past nine years (1991-99), the Bengals are a combined 11-56 over the first half of the season. Cincinnati has lost four straight games dating back to '98. The Bengals have lost six straight home games dating back to '98.