The Bengals make their first appearance in Seattle since 1995 as these clubs square off for the seventh time in the 1990s.

Including playoffs, while the Bengals own a one-game edge (8-7) in the overall standings -- the difference being Cincinnati's 21-13 victory in the 1988 AFC Divisional Playoffs at Cinergy Field (then-Riverfront Stadium) -- the Seahawks managed a 24-21 triumph in 1995 at the Kingdome in the last regular-season battle between the clubs.

The Bengals own a 3-2 lifetime record at the Kingdome dating back to 1987.

Numbers: In 58 career starts with the Bengals (1994-99), QB Jeff Blake is 22-36, throwing 79 touchdown passes and 51 interceptions while being sacked 141 times in those 58 contests. After scoring 35 points in their Week 1 loss at Tennessee, the Bengals have been limited to 18 or fewer points in seven straight games. They have allowed 31 or more points in two straight games and 5-of-8 contests in '99. The Bengals have allowed 31 or more points in nine of their last 13 games dating back to Week 13 of '98. After committing just one turnover in their first five games (2-3) in '98, the Bengals have committed 37 turnovers in their last 19 games (2-17) dating back to '98. The Bengals have allowed three or more sacks in seven straight games, including four or more sacks in four straight games.

In their last 22 games dating back to 1998, the Seahawks defense/special teams have scored 17 touchdowns (10 interception returns, 2 fumble returns, 3 punt returns, 1 kickoff return, 1 blocked field goal return). Since 1996, the Seahawks have given up 446 points in 28 wins (15.9 PPG), 710 points in 27 losses (26.3 PPG). They have limited the opposition to 16 or fewer points in three straight games and five of their last six contests in '99.

Things to look for: While most have had a tough time trying to figure out just who the best team in the league is these days, there are little doubts that the talented but bumbling Bengals seem determined to play themselves right into the first pick of the 2000 draft. Mike Holmgren's Seahawks have no such problems these days as they continue to make major strides on a weekly basis. There'll be no letdown here.

Etc.: The Bengals are 1-7 for the second time in three years (1997-99) and it marks the fifth time since 1991 that the team has started 1-7 or worse in their first eight games (1-7 in 1997, 0-8 in 1991, '93 and '94). The Seahawks are 5-2 for the first time since 1987 (including strike replacement games), when they finished 9-6 and qualified for the playoffs (a 23-20 overtime loss at Houston in the 1987 AFC Wild Card Game) under since-departed head coach Chuck Knox. The Seahawks are 5-2 for the first time in a non-strike season since 1986, when they finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs under Knox. The Bengals are 18-31 under Bruce Coslet dating back to '96. Seahawks RB Ricky Watters (8,416) needs 181 yards to tie Jim Taylor (8,597) for 14th place on the NFL's all-time rushing list.