Blackouts a distinct possibility for Bengals, Jaguars

So much for the buzz created by HBO's colorful and successful "Hard Knocks: Training Camp."

Cincinnati's 44-game sellout streak of regular-season and postseason games is in jeopardy of falling Sunday when the Bengals' season begins against the visiting Denver Broncos.

They aren't alone. As many as five other NFL games could be blacked out locally on Sunday. Only 38 games have been blacked out the past four seasons.

Cincinnati received a 24-hour extension on the NFL's 72-hour blackout rule. The Bengals have until noon today to sell the last 4,000 or so tickets or have their first blackout since Nov. 9, 2003 against Houston.

Meanwhile, in Jacksonville, Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver said during a kickoff luncheon that fewer than 50,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday's home opener against the Colts.

Gators coach pushes spread on NFL An article in the New York Times quotes Florida coach Urban Meyer criticizing the NFL for not using the college game's spread offense.

"I think it would have worked years ago," he said. "No one has had enough -- I don't want to say courage -- no one has wanted to step across that line. Everyone runs the same offense in the NFL.

Uh, does anyone remember the old run-and-shoot winning any Super Bowls?

Key matchup: T.O. vs. Springs The Bills have lost 11 in a row to the Patriots and 16 of the last 17 heading into Monday night's meeting.

But this will be the first encounter with Terrell Owens as a member of the Bills.

Owens will be matched up with Pats veteran cornerback Shawn Springs. The two are old NFC East competitors from back when Springs was in Washington and T.O. was in Dallas and Philadelphia.

"The good thing about [Owens]," said Springs, "is either you're going to be the bug or the windshield when you play him."