Cincinnati Bengals keeping spirits up despite down record

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals' situation may be grim but the players insist that nobody's packing their suitcases for the offseason.

"Everybody's against us," veteran cornerback Adam Jones said. "Given what our record is ... it's quite understandable. We brought this on ourselves."

Cincinnati has lost three straight games to fall to 3-7-1 on the season and 2 1/2 games behind Baltimore and Pittsburgh in the AFC North with five to play.

The players on the current Bengals roster haven't experienced much losing during the regular season. But, after reaching the playoffs in five straight seasons, reality is hitting them hard.

"It's different," quarterback Andy Dalton said. "I've never been in this situation in my life, in any sport I've played. Just need to find a way to turn it around. It starts with one win."

That one win will need to come on Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paul Brown Stadium.

Philadelphia (5-6) has lost four of its past five games and also is in a dire postseason situation. The Eagles are on short rest after losing to the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

After a great start, Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz has come back to Earth with seven interceptions in the past six games.

The Bengals' offense is looking for answers without five-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green and versatile running back Giovani Bernard due to injury. Cincinnati rushed for only 64 yards last week and Dalton has struggled to find timing with his other receivers, sans Green, who did not practice Wednesday and is listed week-to-week with a strained hamstring.

"Other guys have to step up," Dalton said. "It's been tough for our offense, losing a guy like A.J."

Dalton has been sacked 32 times and had four passes batted down during a crucial fourth-quarter drive in Sunday's loss at Baltimore. He'll have to contend with a strong Eagles' front four anchored by former University of Cincinnati standout Connor Barwin. who has four sacks.

"We can't go any further than the Eagles and stay focused on this week," coach Marvin Lewis said of the message to his team.

While the season seems to be crumbling around them, the Bengals players are saying all the right things - be a professional, do your job, focus on winning one game.

"There's a certain amount of respect you should have to put on the jersey and come out of that tunnel," Jones said. "I know everybody's pressing, mentally. But, we're a tight group."