Favre recalls performance vs. Bengals 16 years ago

The Bengals are 0-5 for the first time since 2002, when they lost their first seven games and Dick LeBeau was fired after a 2-14 season. A loss would make them 0-6 for the third time since 2000.

"We want to win," Lewis said. "My job every day is to come here and get things going and moving, and that's what we're going to do. We don't come around here with our tail between our legs. We'll be ready to go in New York. Psyche only is a problem with weak-minded people who quit at the drop of a hat, so it's not going to affect many people in this building."

The Bengals' offense is ranked 31st entering the game, despite having playmakers like Palmer, Chad Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

"It's pretty easy to see all the positive things that they do," Mangini said. "It's an explosive group there."

But the Bengals will have Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback instead of Palmer against the Jets. Palmer was listed as doubtful on the team's injury report Friday after limiting his throwing in practice during the week to rest his sore right elbow. He strained it in a loss to the Giants on Sept. 21, sat out the following week, but threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's loss to Dallas.

"There were a couple times where I didn't have the confidence I normally have just because my arm's not the same as previous to the injury," Palmer said. "As far as throwing balls, I felt like I missed a couple I shouldn't have missed."

Wide receiver Chris Henry didn't have a ball thrown his way against the Cowboys, his first game back from serving a four-game suspension for misconduct, but is expected to have a bigger role. And so is running back Cedric Benson, who had limited action in his first game since the Bengals signed the former Chicago first-round pick.

"If they play us like they played us last year, they'll pretty much double me and Chad basically every play," Houshmandzadeh said. "We successfully ran the ball, and that kind of kick-started us a little bit. So if they do that, we'll be ready. And if they don't, I think we'll be fine."

It's been a rough go for Palmer, who has broken his nose and sprained an ankle since the preseason, and has been sacked 11 times in his four games - six shy of his total from last season. He'll be facing a Jets defense that already has 13 sacks, way ahead of its pace from last year, when the group had 29.

"We're close, we're close, we're close, but we haven't finished it, so that's what we're going to try to do this Sunday," Houshmandzadeh said. "We've got to do something, man. We can't go 0-6."

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AP Sports Writer Joe Kay in Cincinnati contributed to this report.