PRO FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : RAIDERS : Shell: Bengals’ Record Is Deceiving

In a season that already has had more than a normal share of peaks and valleys, the Raiders will be trying to avoid falling into their deepest valley when they play the winless Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.

With talk of the Bengals becoming the first NFL team to finish a season 0-16, the Raiders cannot afford a letdown against a team that defeated them in overtime last season, 24-21.

“They have a young team that is capable of playing some good football,” Coach Art Shell said. “We haven’t failed to realize that they played teams like Kansas City, Pittsburgh and the (New York) Jets very close.”

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The Raiders are making their third consecutive trip to Cincinnati in three seasons and have a 14-6 regular-season record against the Bengals. Cincinnati Coach David Shula, winless in 10 games this season, is 1-0 against the Raiders.

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The Raiders are second in the NFL behind Pittsburgh in fewest total yards and yards per play against them. The Raiders have the league’s top-ranking pass defense and the second-best defense on third down. Linebackers Winston Moss and Joe Kelly lead the team in tackles with 66 and 57, respectively.