Cedric Benson is on the verge of his first 1,000-yard season (969 yards), while Adrian Peterson is the NFL's second-leading rusher with 1,103 yards. Looking to stop them are two of the three best run defenses in the league. The Bengals come into the game second and the Vikings are third.

Who is able to control the ground game at the Metrodome could be the deciding factor in a game where the winner clinches a playoff spot. The 9-3 Bengals can wrap up the AFC North for the second time in five years while the 10-2 Vikings can clinch at least a wild-card berth. If Minnesota was to win and Green Bay lose, the Vikings would win the NFC North.

Both teams are looking for their own measure of respect. The Bengals are trying to show they can be more than a one-anddone team if they make the postseason, while only two of the Vikings' wins are against teams with winning records.

"We play a lot of big games in this division and this one will be a great challenge," Benson said. "What's most important is we focus on each opponent and ourselves as we approach a possible playoff run."

With 110 yards last week in his return against Detroit, Benson tied a team record with his fifth 100-yard game. It also was a record-tying seventh for the team.

"It will be good to be able to achieve that," said Benson of being able to go over 1,000. "A lot of the credit goes to the offensive line for making that happen."

In order to get his sixth 100-yard game, Benson will have to go through a Vikings defense that has not allowed anyone to go over the century mark in 35 straight games, the league's longest current streak.

Minnesota's front seven might be the most well-rounded and physical unit the Bengals have faced. Players have talked this week about the Vikings' quickness in getting to the ball.

Said Vikings defensive tackle Jared Allen: "The foundation of our defense is built on stopping the run and we take a lot of pride in that. Football is pretty danged simple. If we play gap-sound Football, we'll be successful."

DT Smith released

Before taking off for Minnesota, the team satisfied its need for another body in the secondary by releasing defensive tackle Shaun Smith and signing cornerback Rico Murray from the practice squad. Safeties Chris Crocker (ankle) and Kyries Hebert (knee) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and were limited Friday. Smith is expected to be resigned by the Bengals this week.