Cincinnati @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 2, 2012 ) Cincinnati 20, San Diego 13

The Cincinnati Bengals have not advanced beyond the wild card game the last two seasons, and they can move a step closer toward clinching their division when they visit the San Diego Chargers on Sunday. The Bengals own a two-game lead atop the AFC North and stopped a two-game slide prior to last week's bye with a 41-20 drubbing of division rival Cleveland. Cincinnati is 2-4 away from home, with five of the games decided by three points or fewer, including three in overtime.

The Chargers rallied for a season-saving, 41-38 victory in Kansas City on last week, vaulting them into a six-team logjam for the AFC's second wild card spot at 5-6. Philip Rivers threw a go-ahead touchdown pass with 24 seconds to go as San Diego halted a three-game skid and handed AFC West co-leader Kansas City its first home loss. The Chargers had their playoffs hopes all but extinguished nearly a year ago to the day with a 20-13 home loss to the Bengals.

TV: 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Chargers -1. O/U: 48.5

ABOUT THE BENGALS (7-4): Quarterback Andy Dalton continues to be plagued by inconsistency despite his three-TD performance against Cleveland, getting intercepted twice and throwing for only 93 yards - the second-fewest yards since his NFL debut. Star wideout A.J. Green was limited to two catches for seven yards by the Browns, halting a streak of five-consecutive 100-yard games. The Bengals adjusted to the loss of star defensive tackle Geno Atkins by forcing four turnovers and collecting four more sacks to boost their season total to 34.

ABOUT THE CHARGERS (5-6): San Diego typically plays to the level of its competition, owning wins over division leaders Philadelphia, Dallas, Indianapolis and Kansas City while losing to five sub-.500 teams. Rivers is having a career renaissance, bouncing back from two turnover-riddled seasons to lead the league in completion percentage (70.8) while throwing for 22 touchdowns and eight picks. San Diego's biggest vulnerability is against the pass, ranking 27th in the league with an average of 276 yards allowed while picking off only six passes.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Green leads the league with an average of 125 yards receiving in road games.

2. Rivers has thrown for more than 390 yards four times in 2013, tying Dan Marino and Joe Montana for the most in one season.

3. Dalton is 46 yards shy of his third straight 3,000-yard season.

PREDICTION: Chargers 23, Bengals 22