Aufgaben » hey were coming off a 28-14 loss in Dallas t

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals returned the nucleus of their playoff team to make another run at getting that elusive first-round win.As the season reaches its midpoint, just reaching the playoffs will be the big challenge.A 35-17 loss in New England on Sunday marked the second week in a row that theyve been drubbed on the road by a playoff-caliber team.They were coming off a 28-14 loss in Dallas that left them determined to finally get it right.Instead, the same problems persisted on both offense and defense during a second-half meltdown in New England.The Bengals (2-4) are off to their worst start since 2010. The defending AFC North champions trail Pittsburgh by two games and Baltimore by one heading into a matchup against intrastate rival Cleveland (0-6) at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.Its the sixth time during coach Marvin Lewis 14 seasons that the Bengals have started 2-4 or worse. The five previous times, they failed to finish with a winning record. Their franchise-record streak of five straight playoff appearances is in jeopardy.We have an expectation here and we havent been playing up to it, Andy Dalton said on Monday.Theres still ample chance to win the division. Cincinnati has two games left with Cleveland, two with Baltimore and one with Pittsburgh.So far, the Bengals have played like an also-ran. The offensive line is in upheaval, and the defense has gotten shredded.Theres a lot to fix with the seasons midpoint approaching. Last season, the Bengals opened 8-0, matched the franchise record with 12 wins, then lost in the opening round of the playoffs for an NFL-record fifth season in a row.Its different, Lewis said. This isnt last years team. The margin for error we have right now is pretty thin.The most glaring problems have been on the offensive line. Right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi got benched during the third quarter in New England, though he was back for the final series. Ogbuehi, a first-round pick last season, has struggled in his past two games. Lewis said Ogbuehi would start against the Browns.Center Russell Bodine left in the third quarter because of a sprained ankle. His status for the Browns game is uncertain.Dalton got sacked for a safety in the second half and was under consistent pressure. Hes been sacked 19 times, tied for second-most in the league.The defense has major issues, too. It gave up three more touchdown passes on Sunday and now has allowed 14 overall, trailing Detroit (17) and Cleveland (16) for most in the NFL.Last season, the Bengals allowed only 18 touchdown passes in 16 regular-season games.The Patriots shredded Cincinnatis defense with its two tight ends in the second half. Rob Gronkowski had five catches for 121 yards and a touchdown, and Martellus Bennett caught five passes for 48 yards after being held without a reception in the first half.In the second half, Tom Brady went 17 of 19 for 240 yards with a pair of touchdowns as the Patriots piled up 262 yards overall and pulled away.They got to us in the second half, and that was a tough one, defensive tackle Domata Peko said.Game notes Lewis said hes not worried about repercussions from Vontaze Burficts low hit on Bennett. Burfict hit the side of Bennetts knee after Brady threw a pass to another receiver. The league looks at every play, Lewis said. No, theres no concern.... The Browns and Bengals havent been this bad together through six games since the 2008 season, when Cincinnati started 0-6 and Cleveland was 2-4.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Swell Drink Bottles Australia . On Tuesday, Ottawa placed forward Cory Conacher and defenceman Joe Corvo on waivers as trade rumours swirl around the Senators. Buy Swell Water Bottle Australia . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. http://www.swellbottleaustralia.com/ . Ferrer, trying to win his fourth title on Mexican soil, will next play South Africas Kevin Anderson, who eliminated American Sam Querrey,7-6 (2), 6-4. Also Wednesday, Gilles Simon (6) of France beat Donald Young of the United States 6-4, 6-3, Ukraines Alexandr Dolgopolov downed Frenchman Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-4 and Croatias Ivo Karlovic defeated Dudi Sela of Israel 7-6 (4), 6-2. Swell Bottles Australia . According the Toronto Star, a knee injury will keep Sundin out of the lineup, which includes former teammates Gary Roberts, Darcy Tucker, Tie Domi and Curtis Joseph. Swell Bottle Sale Australia . -- The Missouri Tigers might not have a roster full of superstars. Heung-Min Sons double helped Tottenham Hotspur ease to a 4-0 win over bottom-of-the-table Stoke City at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday.The Korean international hit the back of the net in both halves before Dele Alli and Harry Kane added gloss to the scoreline for Mauricio Pochettinos charges.It was a miserable afternoon for the home side, who also had boss Mark Hughes sent to the stands in the first half. The Potters had started the game in good form with Glenn Whelans deflected volley whistling off target after a quarter of an hour.But Spurs (2-2-0) gradually eased into the game and should have been ahead just after the half-hour mark, but an unmarked Alli pulled a shot wide from 10 yards.Hughes was then asked to leave his technical area after lambasting referee Anthony Taylor over his decision to book Marko Arnautovic for diiving.dddddddddddd His dismissal was immediately followed up with the visitors taking the lead as Son poked in from Christian Eriksens cutback. The wide man made it two just before the hour mark, cutting in from the left and curling a majestic effort into the top right-hand corner.Stoke were down and out three minutes later when Alli finished off a slick Spurs counter to make it three.There was still time for Harry Kane to end his scoring hoodoo -- and grab the 50th Premier League goal of his Tottenham career -- as he was allowed time and space in the six-yard box to prod home.It was a dreadful day for Stoke (0-1-3), who remain at the foot of the Premier League, while Tottenham are still unbeaten. ' ' '