Game Prediction: CIN 13, OAK 27

Update: Porter has been diagnosed with a hernia and will have surgery today. He will miss this game and be out at least three weeks or more. In his place, the Raiders only have Ronald Curry, Alvis Whitted or the rookie Doug Gabriel to use.

The Bengals came into the season with new hope and optimism and have already shown improvement by losing 10-30 to Denver. Last year they opened with a 6-34 loss to San Diego, an eight point positive swing. At this rate they will finally win their season opener in 2008.

One of many disappointments in the game was the play of Jon Kitna who ended up 20 of 37 for 264 yards and one score which appears far more respectable than was reality. Kitna threw two interceptions, lost one of his two fumbles and gave up one touchdown when his desperation shovel pass was intercepted and returned for a score. HC Marvin Lewis continues to be behind Kitna as the best option at QB, but eventually a bad record and the calls from the stands will likely get Carson Palmer on the field. As a first year coach, Lewis needs to win but failing that he must give the fans hope for the future.

Chad Johnson scored the lone Bengal touchdown in trash time on a 41 yard pass and ended with six catches for 95 yards. Peter Warrick had only four grabs for 31 yards but got the most out of what he had. On this Monday the Bengals already had Troy Edwards and Trevor Gaylor in for tryouts as they search for more veteran hands downfield.

TE Matt Schobel had 97 yards on four catches, including receptions of 40, 31 and 20 yards. Schobel also earned his game check by recovering two fumbles and making one tackle on an interception.

The Bengals' defense actually played tough against the pass, limiting Jake Plummer to only 115 yards in the air but between Clinton Portis waltzing for 120 yards on only 24 carries, scoring two touchdowns and then perpetually defending bad field position, the true picture of their improvement is still not clear.

The Raiders actually played the Titans to a draw but then lost the game against the officials by committing 173 yards in penalties, often at the worst possible moment on defense and killing solid drives on offense.

Rich Gannon threw for 264 yards and two scores but was sacked four times and completely unable to use his wide receivers in the game. Jerry Rice (4-43) and Jerry Porter (1-6) were non-factors (Porter was injured ) but Tim Brown's move to the slot netted 64 yards on five catches including the 25 yard touchdown. Porter's injury may affect his status for this game and he is considered questionable for now.

Charlie Garner provided most of the offense, gaining only 22 yards on seven carries but was constantly the pass outlet when the wideouts were all covered. Garner ended with eight catches for 112 yards and lost more on, of course, penalties.

The Raiders' defense held fast against the run, limiting Eddie George to only 42 yards on 20 carries and forcing the Titans to rely on punter-turned-kicker Craig Hentrich to finish up with three of the four Titan field goals that won their game.

Back in Oakland, the Raiders are not going to be happy and not going to be nice. Not that it would have happened anyway, but with Denver and Kansas City taking the early lead in the always competitive AFC West, Oakland will get back to the basics of high scores against a defense that is not yet solid enough to stop such a diverse attack and the Bengals offense will continue to hand the ball over with nice field position to a team that can do something with it. Look for higher rushing numbers from the Raiders along with much more action from the wideouts this week.