Kitna led the Bengals to a 4-1 November record, including a current
four-game winning streak, as the Bengals (7-5) are tied for first place
in the AFC North with Baltimore (7-5). The last time Cincinnati was
alone or tied for first place in its division through 12 games was 1990,
when the team won its most recent divisional crown.
In five November games, the Cincinnati signal caller completed 100 of
166 passes (60.2 percent) for 1,147 yards and 11 touchdowns against
three interceptions for a 95.6 monthly passer rating. The eight-year
veteran from Central Washington University is the only quarterback who
has taken every snap for his team this season and has thrown his past
114 attempts without an interception. Kitna is tied for second in the
NFL in touchdown passes with 22 and is on pace to tie the club's
single-season record (Ken Anderson, 29, 1981).
"What Jon does that makes us better as an offense other than throwing
the football is just endless. Endless," says Bengals head coach Marvin
Lewis. "As far as directing guys, getting them in the right places, it
is just tremendous. Obviously the football team believes in him and it
is fun to watch."
In Cincinnati's last four November games, Kitna threw 10 touchdowns
against one interception and led the Bengals' offense to at least 24
points in all four contests. Directed by their quarterback, the Bengals
came from behind in the second half to win at home against Houston (Week
10) and Kansas City (Week 11), as well as on the road last week in
Pittsburgh (Week 13). The Bengals' win over the Chiefs has been Kansas
City's only defeat of the season.
This is the second Player of the Month Award of Kitna's career. He
previously earned the honor in October of 1999 with Seattle.
 | |
| Ray Lewis shined in November with 58 tackles, 14 of them and an INT against the 49ers. | |
Baltimore's Lewis consistently made his presence felt throughout
November, registering monthly statistics that resemble a season's worth
of production. Aside from motivating his teammates and being the heart
of the NFL's No. 4-ranked defense, the Lakeland, Fla., native chalked up
58 tackles in five games with two interceptions, five passes defensed, a
forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a half of a sack and scored a
touchdown.
The Ravens posted a 3-2 November record and host Cincinnati in sold-out
M&T Bank Stadium for first-place in the AFC North.
"Ray's an unselfish player," says Ravens defensive coordinator Mike
Nolan. "The only way that he's selfish is that he's trying to beat you
to the ball carrier. As far as what we do, the way we practice,
everybody is playing together and he knows it's vital to our success.
"His leadership goes hand-in-hand with that. He talks ‘team' all the
time. That to me is why I think he's the best player in football."
Lewis, the NFL's leading linebacker in interceptions (four), led
Baltimore in tackles in four of their five November games. He also had a
hand in a turnover in four of those five with an interception in three
games and a forced fumble in a fourth.
In his eighth season from Miami, this is Lewis' first Player of the
Month Award.
The Colts' Vanderjagt was a perfect 10 for 10 in field goals and 13 for
13 in extra points in five November games to help Indianapolis (9-3)
remain tied for first place in the AFC South with Tennessee (9-3). Since
1993, when special-teams standouts were first honored with a monthly
award, Vanderjagt is the first player in either conference to earn the
distinction in consecutive months (October, November).
Three of Vanderjagt's 10 field goals were from beyond 40 yards, with a
long of 50 at Miami in Week 9 (Nov. 2). The Canada native provided
Indianapolis its margin of victory in two of the club's three November
wins.
Dating back to 2002, Vanderjagt has been successful on his last 32 field
goals, which stands as the second longest consecutive-field-goals-made
streak in NFL history. The record of 40 in a row is held by Gary
Anderson (1994-95), who will handle kicking duties for the Tennessee
Titans this week in their AFC South showdown against the Colts.
"It's great -- it's great to have it two months in a row," says
Vanderjagt about his monthly recognition.
"I'd like to get (the streak) to 50," says Vanderjagt, who stands second
in the NFL in scoring with 119 points. "That's a big, round number.
Thirty-two is kind of odd, so we're not going to leave it there. If I
settle for 41, and that sets a new NFL record, then that will be pretty
cool, too."
In his sixth year from West Virginia, this is Vanderjagt's second career
Player of the Month Award and his second in as many months.
