The 49ers head to Cinergy Field for the first time since 1990 looking to continue their dominance in this always-entertaining interconference series.

Including postseason, the Niners own a 9-1 advantage in this setting and have prevailed in the last 9 meetings dating back to 1978, including triumphs in Super Bowls XVI (26-21 at the Pontiac Silverdome) and XXIII (20-16 at Miami's Pro Player Stadium), their most recent victory a 28-21 win in 1996 at 3Com Park.

The 49ers are 3-0 lifetime at Cinergy Field, their last visit to Cincinnati resulting in a 20-17 overtime victory in 1990.

Numbers: In their last seven games (0-7), the 49ers' offense has scored three touchdowns, while their defensive unit has scored four touchdowns. The 49ers have been limited to 16 or fewer points in five straight games, including seven or fewer points in four straight contests. 49ers quarterbacks have not thrown a touchdown pass in five straight games and in 7-of-11 contests in '99. Dating back to 1997 (including playoffs), the 49ers' offense has totaled 101 touchdowns and 50 field goals in 30 wins, 16 touchdowns and 27 field goals in 17 losses. Including playoffs, the 49ers have allowed 72 sacks in their last 24 games dating back to '98. The 49ers have committed 2 turnovers in 3 wins, 23 turnovers in 8 losses in '99. The 49ers have been outscored a combined 86-6 in the third quarter in 11 games in '99. The 49ers have allowed 40 or more points in 3-of-11 games in '99.

In 62 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), QB Jeff Blake is 23-39, throwing 85 touchdown passes and 56 interceptions while being sacked 153 times in those 62 contests. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 47 turnovers in their last 23 games (3-20) dating back to '98. The Bengals have allowed 31 or more points in 7-of-12 contests in '99. They have allowed 31 or more points in 11 of their last 17 games dating back to Week 13 of '98. WR Darnay Scott has scored at least 1 touchdown in 3 straight games.

Things to look for: A mere 18 seasons ago, the 49ers defeated the Bengals at the Silverdome for the first of their five Super Bowl titles and really haven't looked back until the last two months. Perhaps it would only be fitting that a loss to Cincinnati would signal the end of one of the most successful runs in league annals. And if Bengals' QB Jeff Blake plays like he did last week, this won't be much of a contest.

Etc.: The 49ers are 3-8 for the first time since 1980, when they opened 3-8 and finished 6-10 under since-departed head coach Bill Walsh. The 49ers have lost seven straight games for the first time since 1980, when they dropped eight straight games. They are 3-8, and are guaranteed their first non-winning campaign since they finished 3-6 during the strike-shortened season of 1982. The 49ers have lost 7-of-11 games in '99, five of those defeats by 18 or more points. From 1981-98 (including playoffs), a total of 313 games (280 regular season, 33 postseason), 49ers lost just 6 games (4 regular season, 2 postseason) by 18 or more points. The 49ers are 31-12 vs. AFC teams (33-12 if you include wins over Denver and San Diego in Super Bowls XXIV and XXIX, respectively) dating back to 1989 (1-2 in '99)...49ers have not been shutout in an NFL-record 349 consecutive games. WR Jerry Rice has caught at least 1 pass in an NFL-record 204 straight games.

The Bengals have lost 11 straight home games dating back to '98. They are 19-34 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. The Bengals are 13-25 vs. NFC competition dating back to 1990 (0-2 in '99).