Cincinnati Bengals (7-3-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-9)

Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla. – TV: CBS

*TV announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots, Chris Fischer

*Keys to the game: All of a sudden the Bengals are loaded for bear offensively and back to their brass-knuckle ways on defense. Rookie RB Jeremy Hill ignited the offense during Giovani Bernard’s month-long recovery from a hip injury and has surprised even his own coaches’ expectations with his combination of burst and power. Bernard eased back into the lineup last week but is a big-play threat the Bucs must key on when he’s on the field.

Coach Lovie Smith’s teams strive to take care of the running game first, but the Bucs are likely to play it safe with Cover 2 to contain WR A.J. Green, who had a career-high 12 receptions in Week 12.

Tampa’s defensive numbers are improved since the bye – 19.2 points allowed per game – five weeks ago. The offense is still shaky, unable to set the running game as the foundation Smith envisioned. Charles Sims, a rookie the team views as a three-down back, has impressed in flashes but the Bucs will stay with a rotation. Rookie WR Mike Evans gets a major test this week. Bengals defensive coordinator Paul Guenther flips his corners and makes receivers work to get off the line. Evans is making major strides in all areas of the game.

A season-long issue for the Bucs, blocking up front is a central focus with the Bengals growing more active in the trenches. QB Josh McCown lost the ball last week due to limited awareness and must get the ball out on time.

*Matchup to watch –Bucs OG Logan Mankins vs. Bengals DT Geno Atkins: Line stunts and twists from the Bears led to four sacks of McCown in Week 12. Atkins is relentless and Mankins had an awful time with Bears DT Stephen Paea last week.

*Player spotlight – Bucs DE Jacquies Smith: The left end is emerging as a potential difference-maker with three sacks and a forced fumble in the past two weeks. His timing might be perfect as the Bengals adjust to the loss of RT Andre Smith to a season-ending injury last week.

*Fast facts: The Bucs have won the past six meetings. … Evans is averaging 17.2 yards per receptions with eight touchdowns.

WHO WILL WIN AND WHY

Cincinnati’s personnel brings a certain chameleon capability that is serving QB Andy Dalton well.

*Our pick: Bengals 28-14