Saints at Bengals
The early-season concerns about the New Orleans Saints' offense suddenly seem premature.
After a slow start, the defending Super Bowl champions have topped 30 points in their past three games and have won four straight to keep pace with NFC South leader Atlanta, a streak they'll look to continue Sunday at Cincinnati.
The Saints (8-3) scored 30-plus points just once in their first eight games, and they found themselves in an early hole in the division after a 4-3 start. But the offense has rounded into form lately and New Orleans has looked like a Super Bowl contender again during its four-game winning streak.
And they could have reinforcements on the way soon. Running back Pierre Thomas is close to returning from a severely sprained left ankle that has sidelined him since Week 3 and tight end Jeremy Shockey (bruised ribs) could return as soon as Sunday after missing the past two games.
Not all of the Saints' four consecutive wins have come easily. The streak started with a hard-fought home win against Pittsburgh, and the Saints needed a late touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Lance Moore for a 30-27 win at Dallas on Thanksgiving.
The Bengals (2-9) have won the past three meetings - most recently in 2006 - but that streak seems in serious jeopardy considering Cincinnati's recent play.
After a promising start that included a win over AFC North rival Baltimore, the Bengals (2-9) have dropped eight straight, including a 26-10 road loss to the Jets on Thanksgiving night.
Cincinnati's offense was particularly punchless against the Jets, managing just a season-low 163 yards and committing three turnovers. The Bengals' 25 turnovers are the second most in the AFC.
The most recent meeting - Cincinnati's 31-16 win in 2006 - was a bittersweet day for Brees, who passed for a career-high and franchise-record 510 yards but also threw three interceptions.
Brees, who this week was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year, has passed for 350 yards or more the past two weeks and is tied for the league lead with 23 passing touchdowns.
The Saints seemingly are in good position to make a run at the Falcons, who lead the division by a game and won the first meeting 27-24 in New Orleans in Week 3. The Saints' next two opponents have losing records, then they travel to Baltimore before a Week 16 showdown at Atlanta on Monday Night Football.
The Bengals' schedule doesn't set up quite as well. After the Saints, they face Pittsburgh, Cleveland, San Diego and Baltimore to close the season.