What Mike said and other stuff

Good morning from Buffalo, well, actually, the Residence Inn in Cheektowaga, N.Y., about four miles from Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park.

Some housecleaning a few hours before the game:

-- The Bills have scored 10 total touchdowns in seven games: four rushing, two passing and two on returns (two interceptions, one punt return and one kickoff return).

-- The Buffalo News has a nice wrap-around NFL preview on its Sports section. Allen Wilson picks the Bills to win 22-20. The main story is about Chad Johnson, who is much better copy and more interesting than anything the bland Bills have to offer. Newspaper writers in other cities -- like opposing offenses -- like to see the Bengals on the schedule. The Bengals, if nothing else, are very entertaining, a year-round daytime drama with some larger-than-life personalities and star-power on the field.

-- Earlier in the week, Mark Gaughan, another Buffalo News NFL reporter, said on Cincinnati radio that for the Bengals to lose to the Bills, in Carson Palmer's fifth season, would be a "travesty."

-- Well, I stick to my pick, Bills 24-23. I can't pick the Bengals again until they win. Of course, it would be tough to pick the Bengals to lose to St. Louis or Miami, both winless at this point, later in the season.

-- Here are some highlights from the question-and-answer interview with Bengals president Mike Brown that is in this morning's Enquirer and on our Web site in a full transcript:

Q: Is head coach Marvin Lewis' job secure, and are you happy with the job he has done?
A: Yes and yes.

Q: What makes you happiest about the job he's done?
A: I think he is a football person through and through. He works hard at what he does. He has the respect of the players. He has my respect. He just does a solid job. Right now he has to get these guys going where things haven't been what we want. It's a real test for him. I think he'll be fine with it.

Q: Do you have Lewis take a look at his coaching staff?
A: Every year we talk about everything. That includes what is served for lunch and who works here and why. That's a season-ending thing to talk about it. I'm not going to open that Pandora's Box. ... You can be a great coach just like you can be a great cook. But without the rabbit it's hard to make rabbit stew ...

Q: Did you try to trade Chad Johnson?
A: No. I was surprised by that story. I don't know where that came from. Chad Johnson is a tremendous football player. We're glad he's here. He is an integral part of what we do. And he isn't going anywhere.

Q: Are you disturbed by Johnson going over and talking to Bill Belichick on the sideline during the Patriots game or having so much tension with Carson Palmer?
A: There are things that are going to happen in a football season. People are upset. These are not major happenings. They're quickly forgotten. I think Chad's relationship with Carson is fine.

Q: How about Chad's relationship with Marvin Lewis?
A: Marvin's the ringmaster. Every so often, one of the elephants doesn't do his routine. He has to get on him and get it right, and I think he has.

Q: You don't think Chad is a detriment or a distraction?
A: I know this: I'm real happy that he's here playing for us. ... He has his ups and downs. We all do. Not every day is a sunny day.