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It was a statement victory for the Bengals yesterday.

Tied with Pittsburgh heading into yesterday's game, the Bengals beat the Steelers on the road despite losing running back Cedric Benson to a hip injury in the second quarter of the game.

That said, Benson hopes to play next week against the Oakland Raiders.

While the Bengals would obviously prefer to have Benson than to not have him available, the Bengals should be able to win their next three games (Oakland, Cleveland and Detroit) with or without his services.

And at 7-2 and after completing season sweeps against their two main division rivals -- Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Bengals are clearly in the driver's seat in the division.

So, how might they ruin the momentum?
ESPN reports that the Bengals are about to sign running back Larry Johnson, who was released by the Chiefs last week.

"... It would be as a fourth running back and an opportunity as a backup player on this football team doing all the things backup players do, and that's work their tails off in the kicking game and showing looks [on the scout team] and so forth that way," [Bengals coach Marvin] Lewis said (via ESPN). "And then he would be an insurance policy if something would happen down the line to one of our guys where he'd have a chance to be active. But I couldn't foresee him being active when he was initially here, if this is what happens. And that's what I've told him."

From a football standpoint, LJ's physical running style could provide depth and insurance for the Bengals at a reasonable price (prorated league-minimum salary).

From a locker room and team chemistry standpoint, however, it surprises me that a team that has essentially put character and off-the-field problems behind it are tempting fate.

On the season, Johnson was averaging 51.1 rushing yards per game and 2.7 yards per carry.