The Bengals need to take a good, long look around the visiting locker room at Dolphin Stadium today.  There will be handshakes, hugs and goodbyes because plenty of players will be gone when the team convenes for offseason workouts next spring.  Change is in order, and it's especially true for the Bengals, who will go down in 2007 as one of the league's most underachieving teams.

They entered the season fully expecting a playoff berth. They believed they were Super Bowl contenders. Instead, they're guaranteed their first losing season since 2002.  "I'm sure with this type of season, something is going to be done," said 12-year veteran right tackle Willie Anderson. "But I've also been around long enough to know, too, that guys can never predict what's going to happen. We're obviously disappointed about our season. I'm sure some things are going to be different, but what it is, who knows?

What you need to know about today's Bengals-Dolphins game at Dolphin Stadium in Miami:

Overview:  The end of a disappointing season for both squads has finally arrived. After last week's victory over Cleveland, Cincinnati (6-9) seeks back-to-back wins for the first time since Dec. 10, 2006. Miami (1-14) is treating the game like it's the Super Bowl. With major changes coming for both teams, players need to put their best performances on film because jobs are at stake for 2008.

Scouting the Bengals:  WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (103 catches, 1,053 yards, 12 TDs) has an opportunity to become the first Bengal to claim an NFL single-season receptions title, while QB Carson Palmer (3,815) needs 185 yards to reach 4,000 for the second straight year and 221 to surpass the franchise record (4,035) he set in 2006. CB Leon Hall is tied for first among NFL rookies with five interceptions. He needs one INT to set the team's rookie record. Since 2003, the club is 22-5 (.814) when the defense has two or more INTs.

CINCINNATI — We turn our attention now to the heavyweight rematch between Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones and Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Joey Porter.

The two NFL players brawled at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas on March 19, and, at some point on Sunday, Jones will block Porter when their teams collide in the season finale at Dolphin Stadium.

A video surveillance tape of the incident showed Porter and several men in his entourage attack Jones. Porter pleaded no contest in court to a misdemeanor battery charge and paid a $1,000 fine. Porter was later fined three game checks — $141,176 — by the NFL for his role in the fight.

The Bengals don't plan to announce any major changes in the immediate aftermath of the season finale at Miami on Sunday.

"Don't get your hopes all up on Monday," head coach Marvin Lewis said on Wednesday. "(The media) really, from the comments I've heard, jumped the gun on things. For the most part, we've redone our coaches' contracts each and every year, so you can relax (on their status).

"We'll make decisions as we go forward in the offseason, but we're not going to have any earthshaking news that you can run home about. We're going to evaluate our players and coaching. We have to make a better team. We have to build a team that can win games in this division week in and week out.

The Bengals are in the unexpected position of playing the spoiler in this renewal of the Battle of Ohio. When the teams met in the second game of the season, the Bengals were considered contenders and the Browns looked to be headed for another dismal season. Things have changed. Now the Bengals are looking to deny Cleveland a playoff spot. It's not much, but it's all the Bengals have got.

What's at stake?
Pride and not much else, other than draft positioning. Right now, the Bengals would draft ninth or 10th. They are unlikely to draft higher than fifth even if they lose their final two games.

On the hot seat
Bengals QB Carson Palmer.  Who would have thought that Derek Anderson would outplay the Bengals quarterback, not only in their earlier matchup, but all season? Palmer has been in a prolonged slump for the first time in his career, and if the Bengals are to pull the upset, he has to revert to form. In particular, he must find his chemistry with WR Chad Johnson.

NFL Week 15 Power Rankings

After a one week hiatus, the power rankings are back and better then ever for the final two weeks of the 2007 NFL regular season. First things first, if you watched the Bengals game on Saturday, you are now aware of two things; the Bengals are terrible and if you were thinking about satellite TV, Bryant Gumbel’s inept announcing skills for the NFL network are enough to make you want to sign a cable contract for life. Seriously, was Al Gore the running back for the 49ers on Saturday, because I always thought he was a former vice president (for the record, Frank Gore was the running back, but don’t tell Gumbel because he still does not know). After the game, I took my satellite dish and Chuck Norris chopped it three times before I got on my knees and begged my cable operator to take me back. The moral of the story is simple, Deion Sanders is awesome and he can baby-sit my first born child anytime he wishes. Let’s get to our Christmas themed rankings...

NFC

1. Dallas Cowboys- Trust me Terrell Owens, if Jessica Simpson was your girlfriend, your quarterback rating would also be below 40. The Cowboys may have choked against the Eagles, but they have the Panthers coming to town this week. Carolina’s offense is so bad; they couldn’t score with my ex-girlfriend, and let’s just say everyone can score in that situation. I’ll take the Boys 31-13.

2. Green Bay Packers- The only record Brett Favre hasn’t set this year is the one held by Bronco running back Travis Henry for most illegitimate children, I’ll say he doesn’t touch that one. The Pack travels to Chicago Sunday in a game I see them winning 27-20.